nuclear resistance at the UN, support from Sec of State, free lunch, challenging militarism, celebrating art and books, learn some history, keeping it all afloat

We can't really take Nessie, the Aye band and Protest in Harmony with us, but thanks to some generous donors, along with other Scottish representatives from SCND, WILPF and UN House, we are able to join Bill Kidd MSP and go to New York to work with the campaigners, diplomats and academics on the Third Meeting of the Treaty on The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the beginning of March. This treaty now has 94 of the 193 member states of the UN as signatories and is growing in impact as the nuclear danger, exacerbated by climate change, increases.

Please follow the posts on the nuclearban.scot website for our updates and be sure to ask your MPs to get Keir Starmer and David Lammy to send a delegation to observe the proceedings This may be a late stage decision for the Government which is currently opposed to signing this important treaty but could be an important opportunity for them to go to the meeting as observers without any other commitment at this point.- although many of us think its past time to reconsider the monster in the loch that is the four submarines and around 200 warheads at Faslane and Coulport.

We are glad that the MP for the constituency Words and Actions is sited in, Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland, supports our view. He has noted 'the benefits that such a move would bring in terms of improving the UK's global reputation and reflecting the interconnectedness of our citizens with the broader international community.'

continuing in his letter to us to say;

'I will certainly advocate for the UK's attendance as an observer at MSP3. I shall engage with my colleagues in Parliament and will communicate these sentiments to relevant government officials. I hope that such advocacy will prompt a reconsideration of the current approach and encourage the government to take this significant step towards global disarmament efforts.'

If you'd like to help spread the word on social media or in any other way, please be sure you join Scottish CND and that you follow us on nuclearban.scot, and all the social media platforms.

There is plenty more info on the ICAN website at https://www.icanw.org/tpnw_third_meeting_of_states_parties

https://substack.com/@securescotland

Join Scottish WILPF, Secure Scotland, Peace and Justice, CAAT, TP, and others at 3pm at St Giles in the Royal Mile (after WandA community lunch, 12 - 2.00) on Sunday February 23, 2025 at Scotland's most iconic military base - Edinburgh Castle!

The thousands of military bases, both foreign and domestic, around the world are a critical piece of the war machine that must be dismantled. Closing bases is a necessary step to shift the global security paradigm towards a demilitarized approach that centres common security — no one is safe until all are safe. 

Known as the 'defender of the nation', Edinburgh Castle remains an active military base. 

This iconic tourist landmark is a clear example of militarism being celebrated.

We call on individuals and organisations across Scotland to join the Global Day of Action to #CloseBases on February 23 by attending our protest at Edinburgh Castle. 

Words and Actions will be hosting a community lunch from 12pm - 2pm at Words & Action, 58 Ratcliffe Terrace, to which all are welcome. We will then make our way to St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile for 3pm, and walk up to Edinburgh Castle together in solidarity against this oppressive military presence. Banners and placards welcome!

Why Is It So Important To #CloseBases? 

1. Bases often perpetuate colonialism, removing Indigenous people from their lands. 

2. Bases cost an exorbitant amount of £. 

3. Bases exacerbate environmental damage and the climate crisis. 

4. Bases can have violent and harmful impacts on local communities.

5. Bases heighten tensions and provoke war-making.

    

We encourage you to share this with your wider networks! Please RSVP to wilpfscotbranch@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. 

On Sunday 26th, there will be a Community Lunch , at the usual time of 12 – 2.00, with a chance to check out interesting artworks that have been donated to help us raise funds, including prints by Alistair Gray, Jen Austin and other quality pieces of art. Or maybe you can sign up to a small but regular donation to keep us afloat! As usual, a tasty free simple lunch, and there will be some beeswax and essential oil candles for sale, and a selection of cards and books.

All welcome to drop in, collect a copy of The News and browse the wide range of books, the ‘Keeping Safe’ board game - a fun way to explore the real meaning of security and what is needed to provide it. (The books section is due an upgrade, supported by Lighthouse books and following our stall at their Radical Book Fair, we are planning some related events this year with them)

Secure Scotland is seeking financial support to keep doing this. Thanks to the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the basic costs for renting the Words and Actions premises are met, and some Centre Users pay for monthly meetings,

BUT WE NEED RUNNING COSTS

• Volunteers. Some give time and effort at no cost. We welcome and value others who need expenses for travel and the like. We also need some artists and freelancers who can only devote big chunks of time on a fee basis.

   

• Printing; technical support; social media and software fees, lively and regular communications with supporters; compliance with data and health and safety legislation; managing, administering and insuring the Words and Actions premises; travel costs for collaboration with related organisations; parliamentary lobbying; preparing and presenting exhibitions; all have costs

   

• Our current level of output costs around £1800 per month. Right now, we have enough to pay for our output up until the end of March! We don’t know what will be forthcoming from our supporters, and that makes it hard to plan
   

Our income fluctuates and while individuals have been very generous and we do earn some money through groups and individuals paying to use the space we never know what's possible next..

But if 200 individuals or organisations, each gave £10 per month, the price of a cheap lunch out, it would ensure our future and allow all our volunteers to be working at full capacity on the issues that we all care about so much.

Can you help us to make that happen?

HERE'S HOW 

1. By cash in Words and Actions

2. Paypal to contact@wordsandactions.scot

3. Bac transfer: Account/SecureScotland/sort code 80-08-23 ac no.10270968 

4. Donate button on Secure Scotland website

Regular subscriptions – even a few pounds regularly

one-off donations of any amount

using the space for your meetings, gigs, social gatherings, workshops

buying books, artworks and other stock

spreading the word

subscription to our substack 

Book events at Lighthouse Books

At Secure Scotland we believe that there is power in shared action for the common good, and that actors in the peace movement should not be competition with each other. Words and Actions at 58 Ratcliffe Terrace is a physical manifestation of that belief. As we have been making connections with other actors in Edinburgh, we have been in conversation with the wonderful Lighthouse Books bookshop about possible future collaborations and building community together. Stay tuned on future projects to come. For now, we would like to draw to your attention two events at the Lighthouse bookshop that really intersect with what we’re all about. Follow the links above for more information and to get your tickets

Coming up later in March - a special exhibition in collaboration with a children's project in Palestine - more coming soon! and another book event at WandA

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  

Socials : @securescotland on Substack, instagram, Youtube, X , Facebook