Hello,
It's hard to believe it's June already and we're half way through 2021!
The theme of this month's newsletter is SOLIDARITY.
May saw some uplifting examples of solidarity with the people of Glasgow rallying together to intercept a dawn raid by UK Immigration Enforcement. This direct action resulted in the two detained men being released. The first minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “I am proud to represent a constituency and lead a country that welcomes and shows support to asylum seekers and refugees.”
Thousands also took to the streets in Scotland, and millions across the world to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and protest the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
It's inspiring to see that people do have the power to effect change when we unite in collective action and protest injustice. The history of Women's Aid is a history of collective action; women organising and supporting other women, campaigning for new laws and policies to protect women and children living with domestic abuse and opposing policies that negatively impact women and children (See Scottish Women's Aid Scrap the Rape Clause and Family Cap).
It reminds us why it's so important that as citizens we have the right to protest against unfair and discriminatory policies, laws and systems, and why the new Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill should be stopped.
June brings Pride month, a time of celebration for the LGBT+ community, as well as an opportunity for the community to peacefully protest and raise awareness on issues effecting LGBTQ+ people. Pride month takes place in June to mark The Stonewall Riots of 1969. The Stonewall riots were a pivotal moment in LGBT+ history, leading to the gay liberation movement and the twentieth century fight for LGBT rights in the United States.
Remembering and revisiting past movements, collectives and organisations can teach us valuable lessons on how to bring about change in the present. In showing solidarity we recognise that all of us deserve the basic right to dignity, fairness, safety, equality, respect and independence.
Included below you'll find more on The Stonewall Riots, links to online film screenings by Palestinian Women (with an option to donate to Palestinian causes), along with information about Glasgow International Art Festival and Scotland's Refugee Festival, which begins on the 10th of June and runs until World Refugee Day on the 20th June.
Wishing you all well for June.
x
