A Nuclear Weapons Free Scotland Is A Safer Scotland

 Aberdeen City, Environment  2 Responses »
Oct 182013
 

Aberdeen and District CND 174With thanks to Gavin Mowat Constituency Assistant to Christian Allard MSP

Commenting on an interview by American investigative journalist and author Eric Schlosser in which he warned that the Trident nuclear weapons system had inherited design faults and safety flaws, Christian Allard, MSP for the North East, said:

“Scotland is a peaceful, progressive country and one where nuclear weapons have no place.

“Mr Schlosser’s comments highlight the safety concerns around Trident, the nuclear weapons system in Scottish waters, and add weight to calls for the unpopular weapons of mass destruction not to be renewed.”

In an interview for Channel 4 Mr Schlosser said that the Trident missile system, which is the principal nuclear weapon that Great Britain has, has safety issues that were revealed in a report to Congress more than 20 years ago – I hope in Scotland they’re very careful when loading and unloading the missiles.

Mr Allard, French-born member of the Scottish Parliament has joined the international group of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), and he is also a member of Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

The North East MSP said:

“I have always maintained that nuclear weapons and in particular Trident, are unsafe and that plans to spend £100 billion on their renewal would be folly. “

Jonathan Russell, Chair of Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament added:

“Nuclear weapons and Nuclear Power will always have the potential for accidents.

“Worryingly, on July 29th last year, there was a failure of both the primary and secondary sources of coolant for Nuclear reactors at the nuclear repair and refuelling facility at Devonport, Plymouth which could have led to a disaster on the scale of the one at Fukushima.”

Mr Allard added:

“The government and people of Scotland deserve the right to decide their own defence priorities, particularly as Westminster has already spent billions to renew the UK nuclear weapons system – despite the findings of Eric Schlosser.

“A Yes vote in 2014 is a vote for a nuclear weapons free Scotland, a safe Scotland.”

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International Peace Celebration At The Blue Lamp

 Aberdeen City, Environment  No Responses »
Sep 192013
 

Aberdeen and District CNDWith thanks to Jonathan Russell.

NE Regional MSP Christian Allard will attend an evening of music and poetry to commemorate UN International Peace Day on Sunday 22 September.

The Blue Lamp event’s organisers are Aberdeen and District CND.

Mr Allard said:

“I have been a member of Aberdeen and District CND for years, so I am delighted to attend the celebrations on Sunday.

“With uplifting music and poetry from a number of performers I am looking forward to joining others in promoting the ideas of peace, constructive aid and conflict resolution.

“Donations are welcome and people will be urged to join the movement for peace and for nuclear disarmament.

“We in Scotland can be a strong voice for peace in the world.

“While International Peace Day is on Saturday, the event takes place on Sunday to allow members to join Scottish CND in the Rally and March for Independence.”

The MSP has submitted a Parliamentary motion of congratulation to the group.

Sunday’s events begin at 10am at Camphill,  Murtle Estate at Bieldside, with yoga teacher, Karina Stewart leading a moving meditation of 108 sun salutations. This will be followed by a light lunch and meditation, music and dance with the Kirtan Scotland band.

In the evening Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will be holding  a concert of uplifting music and poetry at the Blue Lamp.

Evening of song and poetry
Sunday, September 22
Blue Lamp,
7.30pm
Contact: Jonathan Russell
07582456233

108 Sun Salutations, and Kirtan
Sunday, Septemer 22
Camphill,
From 10am
Contact: Karina Stewart
07974010465

More details:
https://aberdeenvoice.com/2013/09/international-day-peace-celebration-aberdeen/
https://www.facebook.com/events/163207347218933/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

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International Day Of Peace Celebration In Aberdeen

 Aberdeen City, Environment, Events, Information  No Responses »
Sep 122013
 

A day of special events will be taking place in Aberdeen to celebrate International Day of Peace on Sunday 22nd September. With thanks to Jonathan Russell.

LovePeaceSpecial activities will be taking place across the world. To inaugurate the day the Peace Bell is rung at the United Nations. The 21st September is the opening day of regular sessions of the United Nations.

The events in Aberdeen are being run to promote the ideas of peace, constructive aid and conflict resolution in opposition to war, poverty, the arms trade and nuclear weapons.

The day will start with an event organised by Karina Stewart yoga teacher who for the seventh year running along with yoga communities across the world will lead a moving meditation of 108 sun salutations.

This will take place at 10am in the morning at Camphill,  Murtle estate at Bieldside and will be followed by a light lunch and meditation ,music and dance with the Kirtan Scotland band. Funds raised will go to the Aruncahlum school in Southern India

In the evening Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will be holding  a concert of uplifting music and poetry at the Blue Lamp.

Musicians appearing include  The Sylver Bridal, Lauren Hart/ Simon Gall / EuanAllerdyce, Kirsty Potts, Dave Davies and Friends and Yoleah Li on violin

Poets will include Richie Brown and Catriona Yule. Fiona Napier will be reading poems by local peace activist Hilda Meers. Karina Stewart will be leading a peace mantra.

Funds raised will go to Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

For further information contact Jonathan Russell Chair Aberdeen Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament mobile 07582456233 and for the Yoga and Kirtan events Karina Stewart on 07974010465

Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial Day – Tues 6th August 2013

 Aberdeen City, Events, Featured, News  2 Responses »
Aug 012013
 

nuclear-explosion-600x751
With Thanks to Jonathan Russell  and Aberdeen CND.

Tuesday 6th August sees the 68th anniversary of the first ever explosion of a nuclear weapon when the United States dropped a nuclear bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This was followed on the 9th August by the explosion of a further nuclear bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament have organised an event to mark the occasion and remind people of the potential horror of the use of nuclear weapons.

200 peace lanterns will be released onto the river Dee to commemorate the 200,000 men, women and children who died following the nuclear explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many more died later from injuries or prematurely from the horrendous health effects that followed.

The first speaker at the event will be Christian Allard North East Scotland Regional Member of the Scottish Parliament and member of the international body Parliamentarians for Nuclear non-proliferation and Disarmament. Other speakers include Fiona Napier Chair of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Chic Lidstone from the Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland,  Gabrielle Anderson from the Quakers, Euan Benzie of the Radical Indepence Conference and Jill from Aberdeen Against Austerity,

Poems will be read by Tommy Campbell from Unite and Aberdeen Trades Council. Kirsty Potts will provide some rousing songs.

The last speaker rounding of the event will be the well known Labour Party councillor Len Ironside

The memorial event which is open to all the public to attend will take place on Tuesday 6th August at 8.30pm by the side of the River Dee at the Fishermans hut off Riverside Drive (between the Bridge of Dee and Duthie Park –  see map below)

Jonathan Russell Chair of Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament stated:

“For most of us nuclear weapons have been a part of the world we live in for all of our lives. We can as such often put into the back of our minds just how horrific these weapons would be if used. As part of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and the New Start treaty of December 2010 nearly 50% of these monstrous weapons have been destroyed. 

“There are still however 19,500 Nuclear Weapons in the world – enough to destroy our world several times over. Nuclear Power Stations, if hit directly or if they caught fire in a nuclear strike, would add to the conflagration.”

maphiroshimapic

Date: Tuesday 6th August 2013, at 8.30pm
Venue:  the Fisherman’s Hut on the River Dee
(by Riverside drive )

For further information please contact Jonathan Russell,
Tel 01224 586435
Mobile  07582-456-233
e-mail jhamiltonrussell@hotmail.co.uk

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Committed To Life In The Faslane?

 Community, Information  No Responses »
Apr 292013
 

Ally Coutts and Jonathan Russell from Aberdeen and District CND urge sympathisers to get involved in Faslane Peace Camp.

theo-at-faslane
With ridding Scotland of Trident weapons high on the political agenda, we are keen to encourage interested and committed people to become part of the Peace Camp community.

The Peace Camp is located close to the Faslane nuclear weapons base on the Clyde and although it’s been occupied for the past thirty years it’s currently facing closure.

This is despite the efforts of four young people who have worked hard to restore the Camp and build a community. These committed activists need others to join them if the Peace Camp is to remain open.

A meeting on the Camp’s future took place on 14 April and it was decided to defer the final decision for a month to see if interest could be drummed up.

To find out more about supporting the Peace Camp or living there, you can contact:

  • Ally Coutts via mobile 07961 454297 or e-mail faslane30@gmail.com
  • Julia on mobile 07448 040044 at the Peace Camp.

If you’re interested you can arrange a visit.

Great Days Of Action – Scrap Trident Demo and Blockade

 Aberdeen City, News  No Responses »
Apr 182013
 

News from the frontline – with thanks to Jonathan Russell, Chair Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

scraptrident149a
Both the Scrap Trident Demonstration and the Blockade were a great success. The atmosphere at both events was terrific.
The courage shown by the 47 people mostly women some in their 70’s who decided to be arrested by sitting in front of the entrances of the Faslane Nuclear base was an example to us all.

One of the people arrested was a man from the North-East who has been charged with breach of the peace and resisting arrest. It is hoped that the charges will be dropped.

The actions and in particular the blockade received considerable positive press coverage however there was for whatever reason a noticeable gap in TV  coverage.

There was a large contingent of people from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire involved in both events with representation at both the South and North Gates of Faslane as part of the blockade.

The Demonstration

The Rally

Scrap Trident Weekend Of Action 13th – 15th April

 Aberdeen City, Events, Information  No Responses »
Apr 092013
 

trident-submarine
With thanks to Jonathan Russell.

A coalition of groups opposed to Trident known as Scrap Trident has been formed both at Scottish level and in Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire – see: http://scraptrident.org/
A weekend of Action will be taking place this coming weekend 13th/15th April as part of the Scrap Trident Campaign.

This will include:

  • A National demonstration against Trident in Glasgow this Saturday 13th of April
  • Mass workshops on non violent direct action training in Glasgow on Sunday 14th April
  • Finally next Monday 15th there will be a mass blockade of Faslane and supporting demonstration

Jonathan Russell Chair of Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament stated:

“There are many reasons to get involved in particular abhorrence of Nuclear weapons and their potential for mass slaughter and ultimately their ability destroy our planet. At a time of massive cuts in public spending the one obvious cut is that of the replacement for Trident, estimated by Greenpeace at £97 billion

“Whether you are for, against or undecided on the question of independence, the actions will foreground the question on whether we should have nuclear weapons in Scotland, the UK or, indeed, anywhere in the world. These actions will be the largest anti-nuclear demonstration in Scotland and blockade of Faslane since the 1980’s”

Coaches will be going to the demonstration in Glasgow from Aberdeen on Saturday 13th April.

For further information please contact Jonathan Russell tel 01224 586435 mobile 07582456233 or via email: jhamiltonrussell@hotmail.co.uk

CND Special Event – Saturday March 30

 Aberdeen City, Information  No Responses »
Mar 272013
 

With thanks to Jonathan Russell.

trident-submarine
A special event will take place on Saturday 30th March at 2 p.m. in St Nicholas Square, to raise awareness of the ‘Scrap Trident’ Weekend of Action coming up on the 13th to the 15th of April.
A coalition of groups opposed to Trident, known as Scrap Trident, has been formed, both at Scottish level and in Aberdeen and shire. Find out more at http://scraptrident.org/

The Weekend of Action will be taking place as part of this campaign. It will include:

  • A national demonstration against Trident in Glasgow on the 13th  of April; and
  • workshops on non-violent direct action training in Glasgow, on Sunday 14th of April.
  • Finally on Monday the 15th, there will be a mass blockade of Faslane and a supporting demonstration.

To raise awareness of these actions, there will be a gathering in St Nicholas Square Aberdeen, outside Marks and Spencer on Saturday 30th March at 2 p.m. The gathering will include music and speakers from trade unions, student bodies and a variety of political and pressure groups opposed to Trident.

The speakers will include Leonna O’Neill from Scrap Trident, who will also be running a workshop on non-violent direct action on Sunday 31st March, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Belmont Cinema. Jonathan Russell, Chair of Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament says

“There are many reasons to get involved in the particular abhorrence of nuclear weapons, and their potential for mass slaughter and ultimately the destruction of our planet. At a time of massive cuts in public spending, the one obvious cut is that of the replacement for Trident, at a cost estimated by Greenpeace at £97 billion.

“Whether you are for, against or undecided on the question of independence, the debate will foreground the question of whether we should have nuclear weapons in Scotland, the UK or, indeed, anywhere in the world.”

Coaches will be going to the demonstration in Glasgow from Aberdeen on Saturday 13th April.

Further information:
A coach will leave for Glasgow from behind His Majesty’s Theatre at 7.30 a.m. on the 13th April and leave for Aberdeen on the return journey at 4 p.m. It will cost £12 for waged and £8 for unwaged people. If you want to book a place on the coach, or need further information, please contact Jonathan Russell on 01224-586435, mobile 0758-245-6233 or via email: jhamiltonrussell@hotmail.co.uk .

Scrap Trident – Aberdeen CND Weekend Of Action

 Aberdeen City, Events, Information  No Responses »
Mar 212013
 

cndlogopic

Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament invite you to a weekend of action from 13th to 15th April to scrap the Trident nuclear missile system.  With thanks to Jonathan Russell.

There are many reasons to get involved:

  • The abhorrence of Nuclear weapons and their potential for mass slaughter and ultimately to destroy our planet.
  • At a time of massive cuts in public spending the one obvious cut is that of the replacement for Trident, estimated by Greenpeace at £97 billion

Whether you are for, against or undecided on the question of independence, the debate will foreground the question on whether we should have nuclear weapons in Scotland, the UK or, indeed, anywhere in the world.

A coalition of groups opposed to Trident has been formed both at Scottish level and locally – see:  http://scraptrident.org/  – as a result of which there will be joint action by a number of local groups over the coming weeks which will include:

  •  Weekly stalls/leafleting outside Marks and Spencer’s on every Saturday:  23rd, 30th March and 6thApril from 2-4pm
  • On March 30th at 2pm there will be a gathering outside Marks and Spencer with speakers opposed to Trident
  • On Sunday 31st March there will be non-violent direct action training from 2-6pm at the Belmont Cinema
  • On Saturday 13th April there will be a coach going to the demonstration in Glasgow leaving from Spa Street (at the back of His Majesty’s Theatre) at 7.30am. The coach will leave from Glasgow at 4pm and return to Aberdeen for around 7.30pm. Cost of tickets will be £12 waged / £8 unwaged.

If you wish to travel on the coach please let Jonathan know either by phone leaving a message at 01224 586435 or via email: jhamiltonrussell@hotmail.co.uk

Organising For A Nuclear Weapons Free Scotland

 Aberdeen City, Information  No Responses »
Mar 072013
 

cndgirlsbannerpic
With thanks to Jonathan Russell.

The main item for our next meeting will be planning for the national weekend of action in Glasgow and at Faslane from 13th to 15th April (Saturday to Monday).

The action is a national mobilisation called by the Scrap Trident Coalition ( http://scraptrident.org/).

We are therefore inviting supporters and members of CND and other progressive organisations to assist with the organisation.

Following on from the organising meeting there will be a short meeting of Aberdeen and District CND.

7:30pm, Monday, 11th March

Seminar room,
Belmont Cinema,
AB10 1JS

Everybody welcome!

http://www.cnduk.org/
Contact: Jonathan on 07582-456-233

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