Edinburgh May Day Festival 2003
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Speakers:Mark Steele, Comedian and CampaignerRuth Winters, President of the Fire Brigades UnionTommy Sheridan MSPBill Spiers, Scottish TUCPlus music from Dick Gaughan |
The 2003 Mayday march organised by the Edinburgh Mayday Committee saw hundreds marching through the streets in the sunshine. They were addressed by speakers including representatives of the FBU and Scottish Friends of Palestine. But the biggest cheers were for newly elected socialist MSP's Colin Fox, Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane. Superb music from the legendary Dick Gaughan rounded off a great day.
Click here for pictures of Mayday 2003
Press Release
Line Up Announced for Edinburgh May Day
The organisers of the annual May Day parade in Edinburgh have announced the line up for the 2003 event.
Leading the parade along Princes Street on Saturday 3rd May will be anti war activist and author Tariq Ali. Alongside him will be comedian Mark Thomas, Ruth Winters, President of the Fire Brigades Union, Tommy Sheridan MSP, and Bill Spiers of the Scottish TUC.
The speeches will take place in Festival Square off Lothian Road where legendary Edinburgh folk singer Dick Gaughan will also perform.
Edinburgh May Day spokesman Derek Durkin believes this years line up reflects the considerable opposition which exists to war in Iraq. 'Our traditional theme of international solidarity and socialism could hardly be more appropriate this year with a war on Iraq looming.
We have six figures each of whom would have pride of place on any May Day celebration. Tariq Ali for example addressed the recent million strong London protest rally and is a prominent anti war spokesman. His latest book 'The Clash of Civilisations' has been widely read. He visited the Annandale Mosque on his last trip to Edinburgh to offer his sympathies to the Pakistani community after their centre had been firebombed.
'Mark Thomas is an irrepressible campaigning comedian who is in Edinburgh soon with his show at the Traverse Theatre.
Ruth Winters, the first female President of the Fire Brigades Union is an Edinburgh woman. She has just led her union through its first strike in 27 years.
Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialist Party MSP and Bill Spiers are regular speakers at the Edinburgh May Day and we are delighted to welcome them back.
And last but by no means least, is Dick Gaughan. Dick is someone we have been after for years and is at last able to perform at the May Day in his home city.'
Contacts; Derek Durkin, Edinburgh May Day 0131 556 8869 [m] 07980 809256