MEMORIES OF ALAN BOYLAN (1957 – 2024) In 1996, when socialists and communists across Scotland formed the Scottish Socialist Alliance, a larger-than-life figure came into our lives. Alan Boylan was at that time a member of the SNP Trade Union Group. A loud, brash, working class Dundonian, Alan was looking for answers and was being…
The counter-narrative to Zionist and US/British imperialist backed genocide
The following two articles are Ilan Pappe’s response to the International Court of Justice’s ruling first published by the Palestine Chronicle and Tony Greenstein’s account of the alternative Holocaust Memorial Day first published on his blog. 1. ICJ RULING IS NOT ENOUGH AND THIS IS THE WAY FORWARD If committed activists needed an additional reason…
Music, Religion and Struggle
The following article by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh was first posted by Socialist Democracy (Ireland). It examines the complex links between music, religion and opposes the approach taken by many Liberals and Anarchists struggle, which can reinforce the Right in social struggles of the oppressed. MUSIC, RELIGION AND STRUGGLE Religion, struggle and music have gone hand…
India lurches toward full-fledged fascism – Modi’s Hindu supremacism
The following article was first posted as Progressive International Briefing No 4. Its title is self-explanatory. INDIA LURCHES TOWARD FULL-FLEDGED FASCISM – MODI’S HINDU SUPREMACISM Today, the 26th of January, India celebrates “Republic Day,” the day it adopted its constitution as an independent country after 200 years of British colonialism — as a “Sovereign, Socialist,…
The killing of Gaza’s environment
The following article was first posted as an Opinion Piece by Diem 25 Communications. Its title explains the argument. THE KILLING OF GAZA’S ENVIRONMENT On a picturesque beach in central Gaza, a mile north of the now-flattened Al-Shati refugee camp, long black pipes snake through hills of white sand before disappearing underground. An image released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shows…
The John Maclean Centenary Concert
The following article was written by Jim Aitken and was first posted by Culture Matters. It spotlights the exceptional concert held as part of Celtic Connections in Glasgow’s Concert Hall. THE JOHN MACLEAN CENTENARY CONCERT Celtic Connections put on a wonderful concert recently, in memory of Scotland’s great Marxist revolutionary, John Maclean (1879 -1923). Glasgow’s magnificent…
‘YesCymru’ buoyed by new report that says independence is “viable”- Is independence a step closer?
The following article was first posted by The Canary. It is the latest in a series highlighting Cymru’s dissatisfaction with the Union and the possibilities this opens up. ‘YES CYMRU’ BUOYED BY NEW REPORT THAT SAYS INDEPENDENCE IS “VIABLE” – IS INDEPENDENCE A STEP CLOSER? Campaign group YesCymru has welcomed a landmark report into Wales’s constitutional future…
Western racism laid the foundations for Israel’s genocide in Gaza
The following article by Jonathan Cook was first posted Middle East Eye.It argues that South Africa and Israel bear the trauma of Europe’s long history of racial supremacism, but each has drawn precisely opposite lessons WESTERN RACISM LAID THR FOUNDATIONS FOR ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE IN GAZA It should surprise no one that the prize-match fight for…
Homoforbes, the Highlands, and Homophobia
The following article by Eilidh Cameron-Sykes was first posted by bella caledonia. It shows how Kate Forbes holds deeply reactionary views extending way beyond transphobia to homophobia. She covers this up by articulating concerns for other issues which concern people living in the Highland and Islands, although more often in words than meaningful action. HOMOFORBES,…
Four ‘Just Stop Oil’ supporters found not guilty, as judge declares they had lawful excuse to disrupt parliament
The following article was written and posted by The Canary. It highlights a success for a group which understands the nature of the UK state but is still prepared to take action in defiance of this state. FOUR ‘JUST STOP OIL’ SUPPORTERS FOUND NOT GUILTY, AS JUDGE DECLARES THEY HAD LAWFUL EXCUSE TO DISRUPT PARLIAMENT…