The Republican Socialist Platform organised a commemoration for Mary Brooksbank a communist activist, song write and poet on Lochee High Street, Dundee on Saturday, 18th December. Mary MacGregor spoke for the RSP. MARY BROOKSBANK Mill worker, writer, poet, musician, class fighter, trade unionist, revolutionary! How wonderful to be holding a commemoration for this…
Tom Devine, the Highland Clearances, black chattel slavery and statues
EL&SD is posting two articles about Scotland’s leading historian, Sir Tom Devine. In the first, Barry Biddulph takes issue with Devine’s earlier opposition to the removal for the statue of the Duke of Sutherland on Ben Bhraggie near Golspie. He and his wife, the Countess of Sutherland, were responsible for some of the worst…
Police intimidation at Cop26
We are posting two pieces concerning the police intimidation and kettling of the Young Communist League contingent on the Cop26 demonstration in Glasgow on November 6th. The first is by Mike Small of bella caledonia; the second is a statement from the YCL Central Committee. 1. POLICE INTIMIDATION AT COP-26 Saturday saw one of…
What does the union flag tell us about the UK?
Allan Armstrong has rewritten the introduction to the first part of his book, From Pre-Brit to Ex-Brit. In this he takes a closer look at the history of the UK’s Union Flag. WHAT DOES THE UNION FLAG TELL US ABOUT THE UK? Today, even the United Kingdom’s most diehard defenders realise their state may not…
On police violence
The following article written by Mike Small on police violence in Great Britain, including Scotland, first appeared in bella caledonia ON POLICE VIOLENCE The state holds the monopoly on violence in our society. We can talk about male violence but the murder of Sarah Everard is also state violence and needs to be seen in both contexts. A…
The SWP and Scottish independence – Part 2, To party or not to party?
This posting covers the Introduction and Contents of the second part of Allan Armstrong’s review of the book, Breaking up the British state, Scotland, Independence and Socialism, edited by Bob Fotheringham, Dave Sherry & Colm Bryce of the SWP. The full article can be seen at:- https://allanarmstrong831930095.files.wordpress.com/2022/08/breaking-up-the-british-state-part-2.pdf Contents This posting covers the Introduction and Contents of the second…
The SWP and Scottish independence – part 1, Breakin’ up is so hard to do
The following post includes the Contents and the Introduction of the first part of the review by Allan Armstrong of Breaking up the British state – Scotland, Independence & Socialism, editors, Bob Fotheringham, Dave Sherry and Colm Bryce. The full review of Part 1 can be read at: https://allanarmstrong831930095.files.wordpress.com/2022/07/breaking-up-the-british-state.pdf THE SWP AND SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE Part…
Glasgow protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill
This article written by Maria Elena Carpentero Torres-Quevedo was first posted by bella caledonia. It reports from the Glasgow protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill organised by the No Evictions Network. It is followed by a poem by Ewan Girvan read out on the Buchanan Street steps. 1. GLASGOW PROTEST AGAINST THE NATIONALITY AND…
The aftermath of Kenmure Street challenges us all
This article written by Sean Bell for Source News highlights the dangers ahead, following the stunning Kenmure Street victory, as Priti Patel and the Tory government make plans to up the ante. “Kenmure Street was a stunningly successful example of solidarity and nonviolent resistance. We should not be surprised if the authorities’ next moves attempt…
Further reflections on the Battle of Kenmure Street
We are posting two further articles on the events at Kenmure Street on 13th May. The first is by Smina Akhtar of Glasgow University , which outlines the blog post by Smina Akhtar, University of Glasgow, describing the history organisation in Glasgow which led to this successful challenge. The second is by Alistair Davidson, first posted…