As part of Aberdeen Festival of Politics, Aberdeen and District CND will host a public meeting to discuss the future of Trident and Nato.
Speaker, John Finnie MSP (Independent, Highlands and Islands region), who is well known for his opposition to both Trident and NATO, will be helping us navigate the multiple security questions confronting humanity in the 21st Century.
With escalating tension between Russia and the US over developments in Ukraine, anxiety about nuclear war inevitably begins to loom.
These two superpowers still retain vast arsenals of these weapons of mass destruction.
Time & Date: 7pm, Friday, 28th March
Venue: the Seminar room, Belmont Cinema, AB10 1JS
The Annual General Meeting of Aberdeen and District CND will be taking place at 7.30pm on Monday 10th February at Unite the Union 42-44 King Street. The Guest Speaker will be Flavia Tudoreanu Assistant Co-Ordinator of Scottish CND who will be giving a presentation on the work of Scottish CND.
Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has been very active over the past year.
Last year’s AGM was on February 11th at the Scottish CND AGM at the end of 2012 a motion for Scottish CND had been passed to support the Yes campaign but had caused some division in the membership.
Both of our delegates Mike Martin and Christian Allard had voted against the motion however at our AGM a clear majority supported the decision for Scottish CND and Aberdeen and District CND to support the Yes Campaign. The Yes Campaign is in favour of getting rid of the Trident Nuclear Weapon system from its base at Faslane in Scotland.
The first event of the year was an excellent debate about NATO. The SNP had at their Annual Conference of 2013 reversed their long held position of pulling out of NATO. This led to a number of members including two MSP’s leaving the SNP. One of these MSP’s John Finnie spoke against being involved with NATO and Alex Johnstone MSP for the Scottish Conservatives spoke in favour of NATO.
The debate was hosted by the Politics Society at the University of Aberdeen and was attended by both students and the general public.
On Saturday 30th March we held an event outside Marks and Spencer’s to promote the three days of action taking place on the 13th-15th April including a demonstration, nonviolence training and a blockade of Faslane. The event was opened by the Guarana street drummers and there were speakers from the SNP, CND, the Faslane Peace Camp, Aberdeen Against Austerity and the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign. This was followed in the evening by a party and non-violent action training on the Sunday.
We organised a nearly full bus to the Scrap Trident Demonstration on the 13th April which was a particularly lively event and attended by about 4,000 people.
Some of our members attended the non-violent training on the Sunday and a number of activists attended the blockade of Faslane on the Monday which obtained considerable media coverage. Darren MacDonald was arrested for sitting down and blocking the entrance to North Gate but later charges were dropped. Well done Darren!!
We had our annual Hiroshima Memorial event on August 6thwith about 100 people in attendance. We had a wide variety of speakers from political, trade union, and religious groups, as well as poems and songs. We then released 200 paper lanterns down the river Dee.
On the 22nd September we had a music and poetry night to celebrate International Day of Peace. This was attended by about 80 people, and as well as having some magnificent performers, the concert helped us raise much needed funds.
We have been active concerning the war in Syria sending out press releases with some success. I was interviewed by STV (though the footage which was going to be national was not used). In particular we get excellent coverage in our local online newspaper Aberdeen Voice.
On the 27th September we held a public meeting ‘Why the NATO powers must not attack Syria’ with Dame Anne Begg MP and Mohamed Janaby PhD, student in public international law as speakers. The turnout was not high but the standard of the debate was greatly enhanced as we had people from Syria, Iraq, Libya and Palestine in the audience.
We have had an influx of younger people into our local group and we are delighted that one of our most active members Christian Allard has become an MSP. Christian has offered to host a meeting at the Scottish Parliament to be organised by Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Many of our members attended the Yes rally in Edinburgh on 21st September
We have also raised concern with the Scottish National Party concerning any potential delay in getting rid of Trident
We were delighted that both of our local Labourl MP’s Frank Doran MP and Dame Anne Begg MP have signed EDM 150 and we have written to the Labour Party Shadow Defence Ministers Jim Murphy and then his replacement Vernon Crocker supporting their actions and questioning strongly the Labour Party leaderships continuing position to support the replacement of Trident.
Unfortunately we received no reply.
We have also raised concern with the Scottish National Party concerning any potential delay in getting rid of Trident if Scotland becomes Independent.
We received a reply from Nicola Sturgeon stating:
“I am replying on behalf of the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government is firmly committed to securing the withdrawal of Trident Nuclear Weapons from an Independent Scotland, and we will do this as quickly as can be both safety and responsibly achieved.
“While the detailed arrangements will require discussion with the United Kingdom Government following a vote for Independence I can reassure you that the removal of Trident from HMNB Clyde should be commenced and concluded without any unnecessary delay”
Local SNP MSP Kevin Stewart commented:
“There will not be any negotiations whether the Trident missile system will stay the negotiations will only be about the safest and ways to remove the weapons of mass destruction”
Mike Martin. Christian Allard and Jonathan Russell attended the Scottish CND AGM in November 2013 and we put forward a motion to re Missile Defence which was unanimously by the AGM Meeting
1) Missile Defence
Submitted by Aberdeen and District CND with help from Yorkshire CND
a) Conference notes that:
i. The US continues to pursue ‘full spectrum dominance’ by increasing its military activities in space;
ii. The North of Sweden is being used by NATO as a military practice ground and to test and develop new killing technologies such as drones;
iii. The US has helped establish a satellite ground station in the Svalbard islands in Norway which violates the Svalbard Treaty requiring the archipelago not be used for military purposes;
iv. President Obama has increased the US deployment of missile defence bases in Europe which have been linked with those of NATO;
v. The deployment of space, ground and sea based missile defence components by the US and NATO is undermining international stability and putting further agreements on nuclear disarmament at risk;
vi. The Fylingdales radar in North Yorkshire is part of the US and NATO system;
vii. The US spy base at Menwith Hill plays a leading role in US intelligence led warfare, providing information such as that used for targeting killer drones and is set to become a relay station for US space based missile defence components;
i. To support the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space and Keep Space for Peace week and efforts to close missile defence bases in the UK;
ii. Distribute copies of the Yorkshire CND report ‘Lifting the Lid on Menwith Hill’ which describes the role of the base in some detail.
iii. To produce a Missile Defence Briefing and other related materials to highlight the above issues;
We ended the year with a particularly successful Christmas Party with lots of laughter and lively debate
Over the coming year we intend to be doing the following.
Holding a debate on Trident and NATO as part of the Aberdeen Festival of Politics on 28th March
Promoting and supporting the Peace Walk from the Scottish Parliament to Faslane 1st to 7th April
Holding Hiroshima Memorial event on August 6th
Having an International Peace Day Concert on 21st September
Having speakers on various topics including Alan Mackinnon on US military involvement in Africa and Libya
Holding a stall during the summer months
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With thanks to Gavin Mowat, Constituency Assistant to Christian Allard MSP.
Christian Allard, MSP for North East Scotland, has signed an appeal for a nuclear weapons ban along with hundreds of Parliamentarians around the world and called on the UK Government to immediately halt its commitment to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system.
The appeal – coordinated by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) – aims to build global support for a treaty banning nuclear weapons. The call for such a treaty has been endorsed by more than 150 governments, the United Nations Secretary-General, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. The SNP MSP commented:
“Banning nuclear weapons is a crucial step on the road to building global peace and security and I am delighted to add my name to the growing list of Parliamentarians that want to see a worldwide ban.
“These dangerous and costly weapons of mass destruction have no place in Scotland or anywhere in the world and I would encourage fellow Parliamentarians at Westminster to sign the ICAN appeal.”
Mr Allard is a member of the international group Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) that has more than 800 members across 80 nations, and he is also a member of Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (SCND). Jonathan Russell, Chair of Aberdeen District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament added:
“Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament are delighted that North East MSP Christian Allard has signed the ICAN declaration.
“We consider that governments around the world need to be working together to get rid of nuclear weapons which are a permanent threat to global security and the future of our planet.”
UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond outlined the Westminster Government’s determination to carry on with the plan to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system in ‘The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent 2013 Update to Parliament’, which was released yesterday. The plans detail the UK Government’s commitment to pushing ahead with a full scale replacement of Trident at a cost of billions of pounds. Commenting on this latest commitment to Trident by the UK Government, Mr Allard said:
“This is further proof that Westminster has a callous disregard for the communities, institutions and politicians across Scotland that have all opposed the renewal of Trident.
“Having nuclear weapons based near Scotland’s largest city is completely unacceptable and I call for Westminster to halt spending on the renewal of the UK’s nuclear deterrent until after the outcome of the independence referendum on the 18th of September 2014.
“The only way to guarantee that Scotland will be nuclear weapons free is to vote Yes in the independence referendum.”
The French-born MSP encouraged people to join the campaign for nuclear disarmament saying:
“Anyone who wants to support the campaign for nuclear disarmament can join the SCND at their Annual General Meeting in Aberdeen next February.”
Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will hold their Annual General Meeting on February 10, 2014 at the Belmont Picturehouse, Aberdeen where Flavia Tudoreanu, Assistant Coordinator of SCND will be speaking. More Info:
With 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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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.”
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
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.
Special 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
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.”
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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Ally Coutts and Jonathan Russell from Aberdeen and District CND urge sympathisers to get involved in Faslane Peace Camp.
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:
News from the frontline – with thanks to Jonathan Russell, Chair Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
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.
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
