Scotland stages anti-Bush protests

[emad]

From BBC News:

Demonstrations are being held in Scotland's largest cities to voice opposition to George W Bush's state visit to the UK. People will take to the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh on Wednesday to make their protest. Many will then travel to London to take part in the main UK demonstration, which is planned for Thursday. Motions have also been lodged in the Scottish Parliament stating opposition to the visit by the US president.

Mr Bush was beginning the first full day of his state visit on Wednesday after arriving in London the previous evening. In Glasgow, a candle-lit march was taking place between George Square and St Enoch's Square to protest against the visit. The rally will be addressed by MSPs Tommy Sheridan, Roseanna Cunningham and Patrick Harvie, along with representatives from Scottish CND and the Muslim Association of Britain. In Edinburgh, students will march from Bristo Square to the US Consulate on Wednesday afternoon. Then at 1800 GMT protesters will gather in Charlotte Square for a march to the same destination.

Isabel Lindsay, chair of the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War, said: "People in this country will be coming out onto the streets to reject George Bush and his dangerous policies. "It's time for to Tony Blair to dump George Bush and to bring an end to their so-called special relationship." Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane is among those due to address the Edinburgh protest. She said: "This state visit was organised about a year ago and I wonder if they thought they were going to come to some sort of jubilant victory parade with confetti and the streets lined with people waving Union Jacks.

"Instead they're going to be greeted with the very opposite to that. You have to remember the death and destruction that's taken place and continues to take place in the meantime. At best, it's untimely." She urged people to attend their local demonstration and give Mr Bush "the bum's rush". The SSP has lodged a motion which will be debated in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. It describes the Iraq war as "illegal, immoral and unjustified". The motion also voices opposition to the visit and accuses Tony Blair of sharing responsibility for the deaths of "thousands of Iraqis and dozens of British service personnel". Left-wing Labour MSP Elaine Smith has also lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament, describing the timing of Mr Bush's visit as "inappropriate and insensitive". The Campaign for Socialism has urged anti-war MSPs to back her motion as a public way of expressing their opposition.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3282893.stm

[theHandpuppet]

1. Good for the Scots!

Maybe its time to sever their "special relationship" with England, too, and refuse to be second-class citizens of the UK. Let Blair be the only poodle in Great Britain.

[xchrom]

2. their politicians get right into

the thick of it.
from londons mayor to scottish mp's -- these guys are really tough -- i love it. state your case loud and proud.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

3. Scotland's Parliament has four left-wing parties (plus liberals)

I think there'll be a few Scottish MP's and MSP's at tomorrow's protest.

[bushisanidiot]

4. The Scots Are Fighters! Give 'Em Hell Guys!

:)

[maxanne]

5. This makes up for haggis

Almost!! }(

I'm proud to be a descendent of noble Scots.

[devinsgram]

6. I always did like Scotland, now I love it.