ONE THOUSAND RALLY FOR PEACE IN GLASGOW

Over one thousand people gathered in George Square in Glasgow on 22nd September for a peace rally called by Scottish CND. Carrying placards that called for "No more innocent victims", "The world needs Justice not Vengeance" and "Scatter bread not bombs on Afghanistan" the peace rally heard contributions from a wide range of speakers including Muhammed Asif, an Afghan exile; Ken Ross, Brigade Chief at Strathclyde Fire Brigade and Tommy Sheridan MSP as well as representatives of Unison, the EIS and the GPMU.

After calling for a minutes silence in memory of all those who perished in the atrocities in America, Joint Secretary of Scottish CND, Brian Quail, said: "The wilful killing of innocent people can never be justified. Such an act is a crime that merits unqualified and unreserved condemnation. Always. While we demand that those reposible for this dreadful deed be bought to justice we will not yield to calls for retaliation on more innocent victims. Because the killing of innocent people cannot be justified as somehow compensating for the killing of other innocent vicitims…An eye for an eye makes a blind world. We must have no room in our hearts for vengeance."

Aamer Anwar, a Muslim Human Rights lawyer from Glasgow, in a moving speech said: "We understand the pain that the Americans are going through because for years, Muslims have seen their people humiliated and bombed from Palestine to Iraq, Kashmir to Kurdistan. For years no tears have been shed for their families, is the life of a Palestinian child not equal to that of an American child? We are disgusted at this violence and murder, but we are against all violence and murder. The murder of American people cannot be solved by murdering thousands of Afghani men, women and children."

Scottish CND plan to launch a coalition calling for 'Justice not Vengeance' with Scottish human rights, trade union, church and environmental organisations later this week. Following calls by people in George Square today, there will be another peace rally in George Square next Saturday. Scottish CND are asking people to vigil in George Square or at the Mound in Edinburgh from 5pm on the evening following news that the US has started taking military action against Afghanistan.