1,000 Attend Peace Rally in Glasgow

Peace organisations, political parties, trade unions and church organisations in the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War came together this lunchtime for a march and rally calling for an end of military action in the so-called 'war against terrorism'. Organisers believe around 1,000 people marched through the city centre of Glasgow to a rally at the Central Mosque.

Organisations represented on the march included Scottish CND, newly formed local 'Coalitions for Justice Not War' from different parts of Glasgow and other Scottish towns, the Scottish Socialist Party, the Scottish Green Party and the Scottish Labour Campaign for Justice Not War and the Palestinian Rights Campaign. Also prominent were several banners from branches of the trade union Unison, the Scottish section of which recently voted to affiliate to the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War by a large majority.

Speakers at the rally included George Galloway MP, Mohammed Sarwar MP, Tommy Sheridan MSP, Liz Elkind (of the STUC), Leith Fisher (of the Church of Scotland Church & Nation Committee), Hoora Quida (an Afghani) and Brian Quail of Scottish CND.

A Scottish CND spokesperson said: 'Even though from the media it would appear the war is over it was brilliant that so many people took the trouble today to show their opposition to the use of military action in Afghanistan. It is clear that there is growing widespread public concern about US plans for other parts of the globe and its support for Israeli aggression against Palestine. The job for the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War is far from over.'

The Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War is a broadly based coalition of peace, environmental, church, trade union and political organisations. Supporting organisations include: Scottish CND, Quakers, Iona Community, Church of Scotland Church & Nation Committee, Roman Catholic Justice & Peace Commission, Christian Aid, Scottish Green Party, Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Unison, Faslane Peace Camp, Scottish Socialist Party, CPB, CPS, Democratic Left Scotland, Labour Party Campaign for Socialism, Globalise Resistance, Socialist Labour Party, Scottish Centre for Nonviolence, Finance Workers Broad Left.