Holding placards that read "The world needs Justice not Vengeance", "No more Innocent Victims" and "Scatter Bread not Bombs on Afghanistan" the Glasgow peace rally heard from a wide range of speakers which included trade unionists, an Afghan exilee, a Muslim Human Rights lawyer and a representative of Strathclyde Fire-fighters.
Although called at very short notice the event was one of the largest rallies of its kind for several years in Glasgow with over one thousand people attending. Plans are being made to hold another rally in a week's time.
Strong speeches made links between the UK's treatment of refugees, the recent racist murder in Glasgow, the opening of a detention centre for asylum seekers in Lanark with the plight of ordinary Afghans now that the borders have been closed and food aid cut off. The message came over load and clear that retalitory military action by the US for the terrible attacks last week would be just as immoral.
Buses at the rally then took a sizeable proprtion of the crowd to join a protest at the detention centre starting later in the day.
Scottish CND plan to hold a meeting to form a coalition between human rights, peace, church, trade union and environmental organisations later this week.
An email / phone tree is being organised and people in Scotland are being asked to go to George Square or The Mound in Edinburgh from 5pm onwards in the event of the US taking military action or to organise their own vigil in their own towns.
Contact Scottish CND: 0141 423 1222 for more details.