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Edinburgh first to back global Occupy movement

November 24, 2011 By Alexandra

Edinburgh Council has become the first political body to officially back to worldwide Occupy movement.

The council this afternoon voted in an overwhelming majority to redirect economic decisions to be more focussed on the needs of the 99% in an attempt to reduce the “inequitable gap” between the rich and poor.

The SNP, Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Greens, all voted in favour of the motion, with the Conservatives the only party to reject it.

During the debate, Councillor Chapman of the Scottish Green Group said: “Next week workers will go on strike to protect pensions whilst the 1% continue their parasitic feasting on the commonwealth.”

Labour Councillor Gordon Munro, who is an advocate of the Robin Hood Tax, added: “Occupy Edinburgh is a civilised response to the irresponsible actions of global bankers.”

Conservatives voiced concern over the safety of the Edinburgh camp based at St Andrew’s Square, citing anti-social behaviour and a risk to public safety. They also felt that a vote to back the movement would suggest that Edinburgh was closed to the needs of businesses.

Councillor Chapman responded: “This is not about saying Edinburgh is closed to business. It’s about representing the interests of the people.”

Background to the Occupy Movement

St Andrew’s Square has seen an influx of approximately 300 protestors since October 15 calling themselves Occupy Edinburgh. The demonstration, inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests in America, has seen campaigners rally against the influence of the ‘one per cent’ of wealthy individuals and companies over the ’99 per cent’ of the general public. Their mantra, ‘We are people over profit’, reflects their protests against cuts to education, disability benefits and the NHS. Dozens of students, working mothers, trade unionists and other campaigning groups have set up camp and made a call for social equality and corporate responsibility.

The non-violent protests in Edinburgh are among a small minority of the demonstrations which have gone smoothly with little disruption.

The Green Belt Of Scotland

By Alice Croal

2009 marks the beginning of a new environmental renovation of post industrial Scotland, known as the Central Scotland Green Network Project. The aims of the project are to improve areas of Scotland such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Falkirk by planting new forests, tending to derelict areas of land, improving foot paths, building new cycle ways and to create habitats for wild life. The Central Scotland Green Network Project is the biggest of its kind and hopes to cover an area twice the size of London and plant trees over 34000 hectares.
The project is fronted by the Central Scotland Forest Trust, but works in partnership with the Forestry Commission Scotland, Scotland Natural Heritage and vairious local authorities. Sue Evans, speaking for the Trust states that the project ‘is at a very early stage’ and that the ‘draft vision looks ahead to 2050′ for the complete renovation of Scotlands Central belt and its landscape. The hopes are that by improving the environment around the central belt, it will also improve the quality of life in those areas. The project would also improve the value of certain areas and attract business. When asked how the Trust proposed to fund such a large project Sue Evans responded that ’no specific funding has been identified, but funds like SDRP, Landfill Tax are already used for the delivery of woodlands, wetlands, etc’.
The project announces on its website that they want to make ‘Central Scotland a play to live, work and play’.