Leith Open Space 2009
Thousands of demonstrators flocked to Edinburgh's Mound, in the blazing summer sun of Saturday June 5th, to express horror at Israel's night raid on a flotilla bringing supplies to blockaded Gaza. After listening to speeches, protesters marched along Princes St to the US Consulate on Regent Terrace.
The march redoubled along Waterloo Place, and continued down Princes St, up Hanover St and round to the First Minister's official residence, Bute House on Charlotte Square. A message of support from First Minister, Alec Salmond was read out, and Pilrig peace activist, Theresa McDermott spoke to the thousands assemble round the square. Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign Secretary, Mick Napier handed in a petition.Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign web site >>>
Family tell of anxious wait for news of Theresa McDermott: Evening News, June 1st >>>
Q & A: Israeli raid on aid flotilla: BBC News, June 1st >>>
Read full picture story of Monday's rally on Leith & North >>> LEITH FM backs Scottish Refugee Week with a week of afternoon shows
LEITH FM (Leith's community radio station) has been running a week of shows giving voice to refugees living in Scotland. The shows are running 2.00-2.30pm weekdays during Scottish Refugee Week (June 14th-20th 2010). Guests have included John Busby of The Welcoming, Kishor Dangol from Nepal (pictured), and Joyce Juma Phiri from Malawi.
Kishor broadcast his show on Tuesday. He spoke of how welcome Nepalese feel in Edinburgh, and touched on a wide range of subjects including Nepalese dance music, why Nepalese seek asylum in the UK, and read from an Amnesty International Report.
Kashor hopes to broadcast a regular show in Nepalese, for Nepalese speakers. With LEITH FM's 30% to 70% speech to music ratio, there would be plenty of music for non speakers of Nepalese.
The Welcoming web site >>>
Refugee Week web site >>>
Read Fin Wycherley's Refugee Week blog on the Guardian site >>> Leith Festival runs June 11th to June 20th 2010
Full picture story coming soon on Leith & North Newhaven Gala Day returns in Triumph
Read the full picture story on Leith & North >>> Newslink: Council's Tram Watchdog asleep on the job: Evening News, February 9th >>> Edinburgh sends fascists home to think again
Read the full picture story on Leith & North >>> Newslink: Council's Tram Watchdog asleep on the job: Evening News, February 9th >>> Mark Lazarowicz reelected to serve Edinburgh North & Leith. Elsewhere, UK Government falls
On what turned out to be a very good night for Edinburgh Labour, Mark Lazarowicz fought off classic Lib Dem campaign methods to win a third term as MP for the Westminster seat of Edinburgh North & Leith.
Turnout rose by 6% from 2005, to 68.4% (47,356/69,204). Mark Lazarowicz, (the Scottish Labour and Cooperative Party candidate,) and the Lib Dem candidate, both raised their vote and their share of the vote. The population of the constituency has changed a fair bit since the last election, and Mark's majority narrowed slightly to 1,724.
Many people saw Mark's win as a personal triumph after nine years' service to the community, and Mark hailed his win as a validation for principled politics. The Conservatives were represented by community activist Iain McGill. Iain maintained the tradition of the Tories fielding a candidate called Iain, and did a solid job of holding up the Conservative vote, which went down slightly.
Elsewhere, in Edinburgh East, where Alex Salmond launched the SNP's campaign, Sheila Gilmore (Labour) retained a large majority over George Kerevan (SNP); in Edinburgh South, Ian Murray (Labour) held on to Nigel Griffiths' seat with a majority of 316 over the Lib Dems; in South West, Chancellor Alistair Darling saw off Tory Jason Rust. In Edinburgh West, Cameron Day, Labour's Councillor in Forth Ward made inroads into the Lib Dem majority. With a Lib Dem majority of less than 4,000, Labour will be eyeing their chances in West now that the Lib Dems have fallen in with the Tories at Westminster.
Edinburgh North & Leith constituency on Wikipedia >>>
| Mark Lazarowicz | Scottish Labour & Coop Party | 17,740 (37.46%) |
| Kevin Lang | Liberal Democrat | 16,016 (33.82%) |
| Iain McGill | Conservative | 7,079 (14.95%) |
| Calum Cashley | Scottish National Party | 4,568 (9.65%) |
| Kate Joester | Green | 1,062 (2.24%) |
| John Hein | Liberal | 389 (0.82% |
| Willie Black | TU & Socialist Coalition | 233 (0.49%) |
| David Jacobsen | Socialist Labour | 141 (0.30%) |
| Cameron MacIntyre | Independent | 128 (0.27%) |
Read the full picture story on Leith & North >>> Newslink: Council's Tram Watchdog asleep on the job: Evening News, February 9th >>> Highlights of 2009: Show Racism the Red Card (coming soon)
Newslink: "Police seek three after vicious beating in Queen St Gardens: Evening News, May 26th
Edinburgh Mela 2010: August 6th to 8th
Read the full picture story of Edinburgh Mela 2009 on Leith & North >>> Highlights of 2009: Waterfront Fair (coming soon)
Newslink:
Can you clean your windows in Constitution St?: Evening News, March 4th >>>
Highlights of 2009: Montgomery
St Park Autumn Fair (coming soon)
Race For Life 2010: Holyrood Park, June 13th
Read the full picture story of Race for Life 2009 on Leith & North >>> Newslink: Meerkats acquire pram from Stockbridge charity shop: Evening News, February 9th >>> Highlights of 2009: Treefest 2009 (coming soon)
Edinburgh's Mercy Corps are off to Haiti: Evening News, January 15th >>>
February's photo: Demonstrators against the Israeli siege of Gaza outside the Caledonian Hotel
BBC News: Edinburgh & East Scotland home page >>>
Met Office: 5 day forecast for the Leith area >>>
Listen live online to Leith FM >>>
