time to end the genocide and say no to a eurobomb

Busy weekend ahead, with final events for the heArt of Gaza exhibition. Also, on Saturday evening an Ivor Cutler open mike night as a fund raiser for friends of Parkinson's. Delighted which is sold out, the third event in less than week to fill WandA, so email if you want to book a wee acoustic gig or a book club!

The world events of the last week, whether the irresponsible actions of the President of the US or the criminal behaviour of the Israeli Government have left many of us close to deep despair. Unfortunately there are too many European Governments disregarding the parallels to what happened in 1939, only this time there are thousands of nuclear weapons across the planet. Instead, they are responding with action to increase armaments and failing to acknowledge that increasing their capacity for violence and lethality is a one-way street to the ultimate destruction of us all.

So what's to do?

Action for Palestine

Last chance over the weekend to see the exhibition, heART of Gaza, showing work by Palestinian children, which will close on Monday. On Saturday, artist Anne Laure will support visitors in creating messages and drawings to be returned to Gaza on postcards, and on Sunday, Aishu Madduri, art therapist, will be on hand with an art therapy session in the afternoon (2 – 4) on the heart of Palestine. All welcome. If you can’t make it but would like to support, you can find out how at this address https://gofund.me/73f0b56b

If you haven't yet communicated your anger and heartbreak about Palestine to your MP and MSPs, demanding that your government do better than supporting a genocide, now is the time. And there are plenty of opportunities. On Saturday, 1pm, there will be a static demonstration at the foot of the Mound in Edinburgh in response to the renewed attacks. This is followed by a protest on March 25th against Lothian Pension Funds' use of public money to invest in arms and infrastructure companies that allow the occupation to continue. On March 29th the national demonstration in solidarity with Palestine comes to Edinburgh.  If you're part of a Scottish cultural organisation that has endorsed PACBI (the Palestinian Campaign for the Cultural and Academic Boycott of Israel), also consider attending an open meeting hosted by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland on April 3rd. To receive the details, just send a quick email to artworkersforpalestinescotland@gmail.com.

Action for European de-escalation

’The Global Day of Action Against Military Spending group

has nominated May 9 as  EUROPE’S DAY OF PEACE

We hope that organizations and individuals are planning to participate in GDAMS 2025 by organizing events, campaigns, or awareness-raising activities. If you are planning an action, please inform us so we can help spread the word, and also please check the website, demilitarise.org so it can be included it in the official list of GDAMS events.

You can also contact Dont Bank On The Bomb in Scotland nukedivestmentscotland@gmail.com

Despite the drumbeat of war, positive changes are happening. See our substack on the recent meeting in New York of the countries that have banned the bomb https://substack.com/home/post/p-159129243?source=queue

In the words of Melissa Parke, ED of ICAN at the New York meeting on the need for disarmament,

‘One, so long as any country has nuclear weapons and insists they are necessary for their security, others will want them. The continued failure of possessor states to advance disarmament will only lead to further proliferation.

Two, so long as nuclear weapons exist, they are bound one day to be used, whether by accident or design. Thus, the only way to eliminate the risk of their use is to eliminate the weapons themselves. Three, any such use would be utterly catastrophic for life on this planet.

Four, as TPNW states parties have made clear, the promotion of and reliance on nuclear deterrence poses an existential security risk for all countries.

And five, disarmament is eminently achievable. Of all the global challenges we face, this is the least complex. All it requires is political will and leadership.’

In other actions, Build your own diplomat!

Quaker UN Summer School is an amazing opportunity for your people to learn about work at the UN in Geneva and to build life long friendships. The deadline for all applications (including references) is 31 March, 2025 at 09:00 Central European Time (CET). Skills-building sessions will focus on strategic advocacy, diplomacy, and engagement in multilateral spaces, equipping participants with practical tools to navigate international policymaking. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about QUNO's work at the UN and how faith and values-based quiet diplomacy works in practice. Throughout the summer intensive, participants will have the opportunity to engage with diplomats, UN officials and other actors active in multilateralism.

Find out more at

https://quno.org/quaker-united-nations-summer-school

Are you interested in a chance to play WandA's non-competitive creative board game on Security (no rules!). Explore what security could be in cooperative communities. If so invite us along or get in touch with a few friends and we can play together - your place or at WandA!

Thank you to those who responded so far to the Fundraising Appeal, Please consider if you can join the folks who are helping with regular monthly payments, which give stability. If we had 200 individuals or groups with a standing order for £10 a month we’d be able to plan and budget for months at a time. Find details on the donate page of the website.

Words and Actions for Peace (WandA), is hosted by Secure Scotland, which receives financial support from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

WandA is drop-in gallery and resource base - available for public or private meetings, film and acoustic music nights

General enquiries contact@wordsandactions.scot 

Open Monday - Friday 10.00 - 16.00 

(Secure Scotland, Peace & Justice Scotland, Scottish WILPF, CAAT and others work from WandA )

Secure Scotland Media enquiries +44 (0)7795594573

or +44 (0)7876593016

Secure Scotland Project enquiries hello@securescotland.scot  

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