Amidst U.S. campus crackdowns on peaceful protests, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Khan warns: “The Gaza crisis is truly becoming a global crisis of the freedom of expression [destined], to have huge repercussions for a long time to come.” [Full article:…

Barbara Dennis, is an IU professor and is one of the faculty arrested yesterday. She spoke at the faculty gathering outside of Bryan Hall.

“We need a reset, we need an election.” What will this address? Who, exactly, will do this “reset”? What is needed is to rebuild Scottish civic life, citizens organisations, unions and so forth. To reassert democratic pressure and accountability on the political class as a whole.

The videos documenting the state repression being deployed against American students on their university campuses are being viewed by millions across the world. This is a watershed moment - and a big mistake on behalf of the authorities.

With a heavy heart I announce that my 18-year-old younger sister, Lara Sayegh, was killed today on her way from Gaza City to the south. She and my mother were reaching Egypt for safety. My angel collapsed as she was walking on the “safe route” past the Israeli checkpoint, in an…

Hundreds of bodies found in mass graves in Khan Younis
channel4.com/news/hundreds-…

A few years ago indy demos hit 60k upwards. Interestingly, these events were never officially promoted by the SNP. Today’s march a shadow of that, with the full backing of the party. Yes - political conditions are different. But big q’s must be asked:

thenational.scot/politics/24255…

Just got out of State Dept briefing.

Asked about this:

“…sound of women screaming and babies crying was heard late at night on both Sunday and Monday. When some of the residents went out to investigate and tried to help, they were shot at by Israeli quadcopter drones…”

And…

Some letters sent in to the The National in response to today’s column on the dilemmas facing the independence cause.

thenational.scot/politics/24258…

Join our public meeting
🗓️Thursday 18th April
🕡6.30pm
📍St Patrick’s Church Hall, Coatbridge ML5 3H8
#FightingForFE

Lots of solidarity with Palestine at STUC Congress

Standing ovation for leader of Palestinian federation of trade unions and Ambassador Husam Zomlot

The hall itself is flying the flag 🇵🇸

And a great turnout at our Stop the War fringe #STUC24

Latest column in the The National arguing the independence cause is declining in salience, needs a long period of intellectual rejuvenation and to ask the hard questions. Lots of good comments in response. Debate and disagreement welcome.

thenational.scot/politics/24255…

Latest column in the The National arguing the independence cause is declining in salience, needs a long period of intellectual rejuvenation and to ask the hard questions. Lots of good comments in response. Debate and disagreement welcome.

thenational.scot/politics/24255…

The north is currently being heavily bombed for the past hour, very loud explosions across Northern Gaza . Many have been killed and many injuries with no functioning hospital to treat them .

David Cameron did not expect to be asked by Kay Burley about the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This was telling. Pretending it didn’t happen only encourages the logic of escalation. You also can’t pretend to be a serious diplomatic player with such an approach.

The failure to impose a ceasefire and the lack of serious efforts to prevent a widening war represent a historic, and catastrophic, failure of leadership. As most of the world has argued for months.

Don’t think the level of politics in Scotland has been this dismal for a long time. Think many would agree. Question is why? Attempting to examine some of the potential underlying reasons as part of a relaunch of newsletter in May, which will also pair with a new website.