Edinburgh May Day Committee
15 Brunswick Street Edinburgh EH7 5JB
0131556 8869
dannymcgowan@blueyonder.co.uk
Release Immediate
Issued Thursday 19 April 2001
On the 75th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike, a new generation of activists are
expected to join Tony Benn MP and Tommy Sheridan MSP at this years May Day March and
Rally in Edinburgh. And this years message on international workers day is that the struggle for
social justice is every bit as vital, relevant and inspiring today.
Tony Benn argues that "For our generation the most important task is to win the labour movement
for socialism again, and build democracy from the bottom up. That is what people are waiting to
hear."
For Tommy Sheridan, May Day is an opportunity to " highlight poverty and public ownership.
Poverty is unacceptable in a country as rich as Scotland with huge natural resources, physical
wealth, technology and social infrastructure. Poverty arises in Scotland not because we are a
poor country, but because the distribution of our wealth is still obscenely unequal. The
renationalisation of the utilities stolen from ordinary citizens must be put back on the political
agenda in order that gas, electricity, telecoms and public transport belong to the people".
" We should fight for an independent socialist Scotland and socialise our oil reserves in order to
establish a publicly owned and democratic oil company, that can provide us with similar wealth
and resources as has been the experience in Norway."
As the governments of Britain and the USA remain isolated in the world for their continuing
support for the occupation of Palestinian lands, Israel has escalated the conflict by bombing
Syrian tragets in Lebannon and sending tanks into refugee camps. Dr Ghada Karmi of the
Palestine Solidarity campaign will issue a call at the Rally to " Stop Israel's War Crimes
- Support Palestinian Human Rights!"
The campaign intends to mobilise 400 supporters for the March, including 100 children, each
carrying a photograph of a Palestinian adult or child killed by Israeli state forces in the recent uprising.
A spokesperson added " May Day is international workers day and has always highlighted the
struggles of the oppressed everywhere. Just as the labour movement was an ally of those fighting
apartheid in South Africa, so it will be a key force in fighting against the dispossession, ethnic cleansing
and ongoing massacres of the Palestinian people ".
Bill Speirs of the STUC and the Deputy General Secretary of the Irish Trade Union SIPTU will
also address the rally on behalf on the trade union movements in Scotland and Ireland. The
latter will make the links between both countries by illustrating the experience of the Edinburgh
socialist James Connolly, who was executed by the British Army for his role in the Irish War of
Independence.
May Day will have a distinct cultural flavour, with contemporary and multicultural
bands performing and art exhibitions directly connected to the march. With sweets and treats
organised for children, the day will be a chance for people of all ages to come together in a
carnival atmosphere and celebrate the struggle for socialism.
The March assembles at 11.30 am Market Street, Saturday 5th May, for a Rally at 1pm in
Princess Street Gardens.