Michael Marra

Michael Marra, the acclaimed Dundonian songwriter and singer died on October 23rd in his home city. Here we publish Mary McGregor’s tribute from the forthcoming  issue of Emancipation & Liberation, being produced for the forthcoming Radical Independence Conference. This is followed by Hermless,[1]For those less acquainted with the Dundee dialect ‘hermless’ is harmless. Michael Marra’s tongue-in-cheek submission for…

SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE: SHAM OR GENUINE?

Eric Chester argues that support for Scottish self-determination, which has informed RCN policy on Scotland’s independence, is not relevant and that a more pragmatic approach should be taken to decide whether or not to support independence. Eric also warns Socialists about the considerable dangers involved in supporting EU membership for Scotland. Socialists have always been…

The Radical Independence Conference – Which Way Forward?

Murdo Richie who runs the blog (http://murdoritchie.blog.co.uk/) argues that the Radical Independence Conference faces a choice of taking one of two political paths – tail-ending the official SNP campaign or developing the best policies for an independent Scotland The Radical Independence Convention can only travel in one of two directions after the Conference of Saturday, November…

€9 Worth Of Criminal Damage To Gilmore’s Car

Eamon Gilmore, the Irish Labour Party Tanaiste (Depute Prime Minister) took protestor, Donall O Ceallaigh, to court for criminal damage to his car. The following article from eirigi highlights both the light, and far mote serious sides to this case. Peals of laughter rang out in Court 4 of the Criminal Courts of Justice in…

Sectarianism Hardwired Under The ‘Peace Process’

COVENANT MARCHES PROMISE ENDLESS SECTARIANISM The period following September’s mass Orange demonstration in Belfast commemorating the signing of the Ulster Covenant the event leading to Ireland’s Nakba, the partition of the country and generations of violence, colonial rule and sectarian division was followed by widespread expressions of relief and hope for the future. There had been no violence. The Orange Order had said they were sorry for the hurt feelings…

Merkel Is Unwanted In Greece!

The announcement of Merkel’s visit is a provocation to the People of Greece. The German Chancellor is unwanted. Being the leading force of the EU and using debt as a pretext and the Memoranda as an instrument, Merkel and Germany turn the workers of Europe into slaves of the German and European Capital. She represents a…

16th Radical Book Fair, Edinburgh, 24th-28th October

This year’s events for the Radical Book Fair (held in the Out of the Blue Centre, in 35, Dalmeny Street (off Leith Walk) between October 24th-28th,  are:- RICHARD GOTT, author of Britain’s Empire: Resistance, Repression and Revolt, opens the 16th Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair 24/10/2012 19:00 MIKA MINIO-PALUELLO & JAMES MARRIOTT, authors of The…

Scottish Self-Determination And The ‘Actually Existing’ Labour Movement

A response to the Red Paper Collective’s Power for Scotland’s People – A labour movement view The ‘Independent Scotland Debate’ was organised by the Edinburgh Peoples Festival on September 9th. 86 people attended this well-conducted event in the Out of the Blue Centre in Leith. The speaker supporting independence was Kevin Williamson of bella caledonia,…

The Chicago Teachers Strike

The recent strike of Chicago teachers marked a watershed in the class struggle in the United States. In the aftermath of the disintegration of unions in the private sector, teacher unions have become a prime target. The attack has been mounted across the board, undermining wages, benefits, working conditions and job security, while also undercutting…