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While the irrelevance of the Scottish
parliament opening was being broadcast to the great British
public as a triumph for democracy, the contradiction of which
was neatly illustrated by the presence of Elizabeth Windsor
to whom all legislation is subjugated, an alternative "celebration"
was being held on Calton Hill.
Organised by the Scottish Socialist
Party (to whom FirstFoot has no affilation beyond a notion
that they cannot possibly be worse than the eejits in power
in Holyrood), the alternative gathering sought to raise support
for "The Declaration of Calton Hill".
Happily, FirstFoot publishes The Declaration
of Calton Hill in full. Pick the bones out of it for yourselves.
To our mind it's a damn sight more relevant that the bills
controlling dog shite that the current incumbents of The Piggery
spend their time debating.
Declaration of Calton Hill, 9th October
2004
We the undersigned call for an independent
Scottish republic built on the principles of liberty, equality,
diversity and solidarity.
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These principles
can never be put into practice while Scotland remains
subordinate to the hierarchical and anti-democratic institutions
of the British State |
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We believe these principles
can be brought about by a freely elected Scottish Government
with full control of Scotland's revenues.
We believe that the right to self determination is an
inherent right, and not a boon or a favour to be granted
to us whether by the Crown or the British State. |
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We believe that sovereignty
rests in the people and vow to fight for the right to
govern ourselves for the benefit of all those living in
Scotland today, tomorrow and in future times.
The Government of a country is servant to the people,
not master of the people. |
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We believe that a
written Constitution will guarantee, under law, everyone's
right to freely vote, speak and assemble; and will guarantee
the people's right to privacy and protection, and access
to information on all its Government's doings. |
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We vow to fight for
the power to refuse to send our sons and daughters to
kill and die in unjust wars in foreign lands.
We vow to fight for the power to banish nuclear weapons
of mass destruction from our land |
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We vow to fight for
the power to acquire and restrict the use of property
or lands controlled by individuals, corporations or governments
from beyond Scotland's borders. |
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We vow to fight for
the power to turn our depopulated land into a haven for
those fleeing famine and persecution. |
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We vow to fight for
the power to build a more equal society, free of poverty,
through the redistribution of our vast wealth. |
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We vow to fight for
the power to protect our soil, seas and rivers for our
children and for the generations to come. |
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We swear to oppose
all forms of national chauvinism, imperialism and racism. |
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We swear to oppose
all forms of discrimination on the grounds of gender,
ethnic origin, religion, place of birth, age, disability,
sexuality or language. |
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We aim for an independent
Scottish Republic in which people may live with dignity
and with self respect, free from exploitation, assuming
the responsibilities of free women and men.An independent
Scottish republic will negotiate freely and as an equal
with governments of other lands.
Our aim is not to erect walls of separation, but to build
an outward-looking, Scotland that will extend the hand
of friendship to all the peoples of the world. |
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We vow to continue
the struggle for a free, democratic Scottish republic
for as long as it may take. |
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The fight is for
freedom. |
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Sincerely,
The Undersigned
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If you are so minded, you can
sign the declaration online here:
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