[ELECTRON] Coalition of Resistance STUC Woodlands Rd TONIGHT 7:OO

[Bob]

Attached and below is an open letter to support the launch of a Coalition
of Resistance group in Glasgow. We are inviting people from across the
political spectrum to come together to form a broad anti-cuts campaign.
 From trade-unionists to charity volunteers, from journalists to students
and unemployed, we believe it is absolutely necessary that we all come
together in common cause - to stop the coaltion's austerity drive.

www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk

The national campaign was first initiated by Tony Benn and a host of
prominent figures in the labour movement. The initial statement can be seen
here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/04/time-to-organise-resistance-now




Open Letter: We need to bring the resistance together

The Con-Dem government's agenda of cuts and privatisation is the key issue
facing the people of Scotland. The consequent loss of jobs and services in
the public sector will be devastating.

Indeed, the post-election cut announcements have already begun. Strathclyde
University Principal Jim McDonald was the first off the mark to announce
the closure of several courses. In the last year 13,000 jobs have been lost
in the Scottish public sector, and another 1.3billion in cuts have been
outlined for the 2011-12 budget. At least another 40,000 jobs, or 7% of the
public-sector, is expected to be slashed over the next four years.

We believe that we cannot wait a moment longer to organise and mobilise the
millions of people across Britain who want to fight the cuts. The half a
million strong TUC demonstration on March 26th proves that we can build a
mass movement against the austerity agenda.

We extend our support to the various national initiatives against
unemployment, cuts to disability services, and others. But we believe more
has to be done to unify the movement into a powerful mass campaign against
austerity, with local anti-cuts groups affiliated in every town and city.

As a means to this end, as activists and campaigners in Glasgow, we intend
to establish a Coalition of Resistance group. The Coalition of Resistance
has the backing of major national figures of the anti-cuts movement like
Tony Benn and Len McCluskey and has sought the affiliation of local
anti-cuts group to its organisation, as well as bringing under its umbrella
all elements of those who are being affected by the cuts.

In Glasgow we already have resistance: PCS workers in the Equality and
Human Rights Commission are fighting against 68% cuts, Strathclyde
University students and staff face the closure of whole courses, the Accord
community centre campaign in the East End are fighting against closure, and
the inspirational occupation of the Hetherington Club at Glasgow University
continues.

In such circumstances, a Coalition of Resistance group that meets up
regularly to provide support and solidarity for those fighting back is a
necessity. The planned co-ordinated strike action on the 30th of June by at
least three public-sector Unions requires that we immediately build support
and mobilise all those suffering from the cuts in support of the strike action.

To begin this process in Glasgow we call on all those who want to organise
the fightback to attend an open planning meeting on Thursday June 9th at
7pm in the STUC offices at 333 Woodlands Rd, to establish the Coalition of
Resistance in Glasgow.

We support this statement in the spirit of unity and urgency as not just
our future, but the future of generations to come, could face ruin if we
don't do everything in our power to stop the Con-Dems massacre of the
welfare state.
-- 


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