RALLY AGAINST FASCISM

Solidarity Rally

Saturday 4th February

Buchanan Street/Gordon Street

12 noon assemble

Rally and Speakers around 12.30 pm

Following a number of attacks on labour movement stalls in Glasgow over the last few weeks, Unite Against Fascism is organising this rally in Glasgow.

We believe that these attacks are part of a fascist strategy to widen the targets of their violence in an attempt to indimidate people off the streets. We cannot allow this to happen.

We are inviting organisations to bring banners and provide a speaker to join a short rally near the spots where the attacks took place.

Unite Against Fascism
www.uaf.org.uk

Fighting personalisation cuts

This meeting is open to workers, service users, families and campaigners affected by the issues around personalisation and self-directed support. While it will focus on what is happening in Glasgow, it is relevant beyond the confines of the city.

 

Personalisation Networking Meeting

 

UNISON / Defend Glasgow’s Services Campaign / Social Work Action Network are hosting a joint meeting to discuss the impact of personalisation on people who receive support in the community.

 

 This meeting comes at a key time as Glasgow plans a further £10 million in cuts to those with disabilities in its budget this month.

 

 

 

Tuesday 7 February 2012

 

10am

 

UNISON Glasgow branch office, 84 Bell Street, G1 1LQ

 

(Tel: 0141 552 7069)

Fresh investigation to start on Chhokar murder

The Crown Office has instructed Strathclyde Police to carry out a fresh investigation into the unsolved murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar in North Lanarkshire in 1998 following new ‘double jeopardy’ laws.

The waiter was stabbed to death outside his home in Overtown, Lanarkshire on 4 November 1998. No conviction was ever secured despite three men being charged in two separate trials.

Humza Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow who has championed the case, said: ‘I welcome this announcement. It is a big step in the fight for justice for Mr Chhokar and his family. I have no doubt that Strathclyde Police will work tirelessly on the investigation, however, we need members of the public to do their bit too. If you have any information you think may be useful, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, please contact Strathclyde Police who can deal with people on a confidential basis. For 13 years the Chhokar family has been searching for answers. Every time they have left disappointed and despondent. By opening up an investigation into the murder I am hopeful that justice for Surjit Singh Chhokar and his family is closer than it has ever been before.’

Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, met with Mr Chhokar’s family on Thursday 26 January to inform them of the re-opening of the murder inquiry.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar, speaking on behalf of the Chhokar family, said afterwards that: ‘significant hurdles have still to be cross. But the family now believes there is a determination to fight for justice.’

The Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson said: ‘The prosecution service is committed to making use of the powers under the new double jeopardy legislation. The Scottish Parliament, in passing the Act, has clearly stated that the passage of time since an acquittal should be no protection for those for whom there is new and compelling evidence of guilt. We hope that our commitment to the new legislation will give reassurance to victims and their families.’ Other cases are under review for possible action under the new legislation which came into effect last November.

In an emotional press conference recently, Mr Chhokar’s sister, Manjit Sangha said all the family ever asked for was justice.

 

Housing Benefit cuts meeting

 

Clydebank Trades Union Council

 

Public Meeting

 

 Attacks on Housing Benefit

what does it mean for tenants and workers?

 

how can we build the resistance?

 

Among the reforms are:

cutting £2.4 billion from the Housing Benefit budget

restricting size of house people will get benefit for

lowering level of the Local Housing Allowance

a switch from RPI to CPI meaning lower benefit rates

household welfare payments capped

many jobs could be lost in the local council for those who provide a service to tenants.

Speakers:

George Macfarlane – tenant’s activist

 

Cat Boyd – Youth Officer Glasgow Benefits Branch, Public and Commercial Sevices union

 

Thursday 26 January – 7pm

 

Hub Community Centre

 

405 Kilbowie Road

Clydebank G81 2TX

 

Hope for the Chhokar family

Glasgow Region MSP Humza Yousaf raised the case of Surjit Singh Chhokar at First Minister’s Question Time on Thursday 12 January. Mr Chhokar, a 32-year-old father of two, was stabbed to death in Overton, Lanarkshire, in 1998 but no-one has been found guilty and charged with his murder.

Following the recent legislative changes relating to double jeopardy, allowing a retrial of a suspect in very serious crimes, and the conviction of two men for the murder of Stephen Lawrence on the basis of new evidence and more advanced technology, there is a real possibility that justice could be delivered, finally, for Mr Chhokar’s family.

Commenting, Humza Yousaf said: ‘The case of Surjit Singh Chhokar remains unsolved and I urge the Crown Office to revisit it following the changes to the law on double jeopardy. I ask the First Minister to do everything in his power to ensure no stone is left unturned in the search for justice for the Chhokar family. I welcome the First Minister’s response confirming that the Solicitor General is currently reviewing cases which might be prosecuted under the newly established rules on double jeopardy. Rightly, this remains a matter for the Crown Office. He assured me that the prosecution service is committed to the pursuit of those who have avoided detection for murder, and that they will ensure investigations and prosecutions are taken in appropriate cases.

“I sincerely hope the Crown Office will open an investigation into this case when the Solicitor General finishes his review. To those who committed this heinous crime: they should be sleeping uneasy in their bed at night as we are determined to bring them to justice.’

 

 

 

 

Women and poverty discussion next month

FREE ‘Open Space’ event

‘THE IMPACT OF POVERTY ON WOMEN’

‘Poverty has a woman’s face’ The World Bank

Research shows us that poverty overwhelmingly affects women and children, having a major impact on their self esteem, potential and their physical, emotional and social health.

Glasgow Women’s Voluntary Sector Network events are open to all women and we invite you to come along to discuss, learn and share your opinions around ‘The Impact of Poverty on Women’ with other women in a safe, open and supportive space.

Date: Wednesday, 8th February 2012

Venue: The Teacher Building, St Enoch Square, Glasgow

Time: 10am to 4pm

What is Open Space? The Open Space way of working was created in 1985 and brings people together to discuss a common theme. Open Space is fully participative, there are no talking heads, and believes that the participants are the real experts. Just come along with an open mind and your thoughts and opinions.

To register for this event please contact Lorna at

Wise Women on 0141 550 7557 or Lorna@wisewomen.org.uk by Tuesday 31 January.

 Creche is available although you must book your place /s

Travel expenses will be provided

Transport can be provided for women with physical and/or sensory impairments

This event is funded by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Community Planning Partnership

MSPs see homeless helpers at work

Several MSPs  spent time over the Christmas holiday seeing, for themselves, what is being done by volunteers to help homeless people.

This week, Humza Yousaf, SNP MSP for Glasgow, went out with a street team run by the charity Al-Khair working in conjunction with the Simon Community and Emmaus in the city. Said Humza: ‘The street team help people with addiction, mental health, social exclusion, employability, literacy and numeracy problems. The Muslim community spends a lot of time and effort tackling social problems. I was privileged to join those volunteering over the festive period. And am always touched by the amount of work people do to help others at this time of year.’

A few days earlier, James Dornan, Glasgow SNP MSP for Cathcart spent a night patrolling Glasgow city centre with the Street Pastors. He said: ‘Seeing first-hand the work these volunteers do and how positively they are received by people of all ages, was an eye-opener. Their support of those in most need, particularly the homeless, was fantastic – from giving out blankets, gloves and socks to ensuring they were welcome at Glasgow’s City Mission.

‘At this time of year we should give a thought to those unfortunate people who find themselves on the streets. But we should also pay tribute to the volunteers and organisations that do so much to make life as bearable as possible for them.’

In Aberdeen, Mark McDonald, SNP MSP for North East Scotland, visited a winter shelter run by the Bethany Christian Trust. He said: ‘The experience was deeply humbling. I heard the stories of some of the individuals using the shelter; how they became homeless and how important the services provided by the Trust are to them at this time of year. I spoke at length with the volunteers, including a group from a local recruitment firm who were giving up their time, and making a donation, to assist the work of the Trust. It is important we take time to remember the many people who face real hardship. I commend the work of organisations such as the Bethany Trust, for what they are doing to help homeless people.’

 

Vacant space at Occupy Glasgow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pic by ’FasterStrongerDeader’

The harsh experience of living in tents in sub zero temperatures has been shared by Occupy Glasgow people with others from the worldwide ‘Occupy’ movement. The weather conditions forced the group to move off the site at Kelvin Way which they’d occupied for several weeks.

Called ‘Winterisation’ the details of what that entailed were discussed this month at a national conference in Edinburgh of  more than ten ‘Occupy’ groups from around the UK.

The Occupy Glasgow camp set up in Glasgow’s George Square in October. Soon they had negotiated with Glasgow City Council to leave the Square to allow the November Remembrance Service and the commercial Christmas entertainments to take place uncluttered. The site at Kelvin Way had been provided with toilets and electricity.

Their aim was to seek a more egalitarian and fair society and to confirm their commitment to campaigning for changes to enable society to cater for the needs of the 99% of people instead of being geared to supporting the top 1%.

In their conference statement the Occupy Movement declared: ‘We seek a twenty first century Enlightenment.’ And they say they haven’t gone away but are ‘ready to forge ahead in 2012, with resources in place to enable new members and occupations no matter where they are in the UK.’

Brian opens the debating year

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF BRIAN TAYLOR’S BIG DEBATE?

We’re coming to your town . . . and we’d love to see you there!

 WHERE: Wellington Church, 77 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow, G12

WHEN: Friday 6^th January

TIMES: Doors open at the venue at 11.30am the show is on air from 12.15 – 1.00pm.

RESERVATIONS: please complete the booking form attached and return it to brian@bbc.co.uk to book your seat in the audience. Or alternatively you can book online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-15190428

PANEL: SNP MSP Bill Kidd and Labour MSP Drew Smith will be joined by Professor Sheila McLean.

Brian Taylor’s Big Debate is a news and politics radio programme with a panel and audience, broadcasting on BBC Radio Scotland every Friday lunchtime. The show has visited more than 50 cities and towns across Scotland since itbegan in 2009.

Each week BBC Scotland’s Political Editor Brian Taylor chairs a panel of people from the world of politics, business, arts and the community and he needs YOU to ask the questions and take part in the debate.

 The audience is at the heart of this programme.

Our audience and panel members have asked questions and aired their opinions on issues ranging from sectarianism, independence, wind farms and roads, to the future of wild beavers in Perth and the trams in Edinburgh!

Questions should be brief and to the point if possible and can be on anything that you feel passionate about. Please email your question to us at brian@bbc.co.uk byThursday 5^th January. Please be aware we’re not able to guarantee that all questions will be used.

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN GLASGOW ON FRIDAY 6th JANUARY!

Email brian@bbc.co.uk to book your place in the audience

 

MP responds to human rights appeal

East Dunbartonshire MP, Jo Swinson, met a delegation from the Human Rights in The Gambia Campaign before the holiday season. She heard how politicians, journalists and citizens of all backgrounds are living in fear under the regime of President Yahya Jammeh who took over with a military coup in July 1994.

Recent elections returned him to power and question marks have been raised by international monitoring organisations about the fairness of the November election process. Opponents were given 11 days to campaign in advance of polling day. Several were detained before and after the election. The media and the judiciary are almost exclusively controlled by the Government.

According to an Amnesty International report of 2008, there was a ‘climate of fear’ in the West African country which is part of the Commonwealth. A follow up report published earlier this year, said that the enforced disappearances of people, unlawful killings and torture in The Gambia indicated a ‘deteriorating human rights situation.’

The Lib Dem MP said she was surprised to learn some of the detail and raised questions on the economics of The Gambia and its relationship to Europe, the UK, the USA and the Economic Community of West African States. She said she would consider the information with a view to raising a cross party Early Day Motion in the House of Commons.

She is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Business Secretary Vince Cable in the Conservative/ Lib Dem coalition Government in London and a long standing member of Amnesty International.

 

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