The Student’s Federation of India (Edinburgh branch) and Cat’s Cradle are putting on a workshop which takes participants through the history of the post-independence Indian Left and explores the influence of student movements and protests.
From protests during the 1975–77 Emergency through economic liberalisation in the 90’s and the rise of Hindutva politics, we provide an overview of the development of student activism in India while also asking the question: Where is the Left now and what next? And what can people in Scotland learn from this?
Everyone is very welcome – whether you have no knowledge about Indian history and politics at all, or whether you have an encyclopedic knowledge.
During the workshop, participants will also work in small groups with historical materials to re‑enact pivotal moments, an interactive exercise designed to show how protest is made in India.
Young people in Scotland are coming together to “grill” political parties in a special election hustings on their climate commitments amid huge fears about the climate crisis.
The youth-led event in Edinburgh TONIGHT – Wednesday 22 April – will be livestreamed nationwide with questions limited to people under 30 years old.
The organisers, the Scottish Youth Climate Coalition, say the climate and nature hustings in Edinburgh will be “an opportunity for young people to hear from potential MSPs about how they plan to handle our future.”
Young people are significantly less likely to vote than older people with IPSOS estimating just 37% of 18-24 years old voted in the 2024 UK general election, falling from 47% the 2019 General Election.
Research shows young people are the most worried about the future, with over two thirds of people aged 16-24 reporting that they feel worried about the future due to climate change. A similar number of yooung people say they feel their voices are not listened to by decision makers when it comes to climate.
The Scottish Youth Climate Coalition (SYCC) is made up of six of the largest youth climate organisations in Scotland – collectively representing thousands of young people aged 16-30.
The Coalition consists of Young Friends of the Earth Scotland, 2050 Climate Group, Teach the Future Scotland, Young Sea Changers Scotland, Green New Deal Rising, and People and Planet Edinburgh, with support from many smaller youth groups across the country.
The hustings will take place in Augustine United Church in Edinburgh tonight (Wednesday 22 April from 7 – 9pm).
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Youth Engagement Intern Kyle Downie said: “This is an opportunity for young people to grill those who wish to sit in the next Scottish Parliament about how they plan to handle our future.
“If politicians want our votes, they must be willing to show how they plan on meeting the many challenges facing young people in Scotland. From worsening climate impacts, to improving bus services, to protecting Scotland’s natural environment and seas, there are many questions we need answers to.
“It’s great to be able to bring the youth movement back together like this. As with any campaign, we’re stronger when we work together. And it’s important that this husting is youth-led, after all it’s our future these politicians are messing with!”
Charlotte Wilson organiser from the youth-led campaign for climate education, Teach the Future, said: “With 16 year olds able to vote in this election, we’re taking part to press candidates about their commitments to sustainable development, education, outdoor learning, global citizenship, and social welfare – collectively known as Learning for Sustainability – and pathways to green careers.”
NORTH Edinburgh community activists are taking their message to town this afternoon with two events taking place at art galleries in the city centre.
The events have been built around artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen’s RESISTANCE photo exhibition, which runs at the Modern 2 gallery on Belford Road until 4th January.
First up, community stalwarts Anna Hutchison and Willie Black will reflect on campaigns past and present in a panel discussion in the National Gallery at 12.45.
With so many years of campaigning experience Anna and Willie have a host of stories to share and, having known the pair for the best part of thirty years, I’ll be there to try to keep the event running to time!
The free event is sold out, but you can still register to watch online.
Later in the afternoon, two North Edinburgh groups have been working together on an ambitious project that encapsulates North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.
The result of the collaboration is the Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh exhibition, which opens at The Portrait Gallery on Queen Street from 2pm today (details below).
It promises to be very good and it’s free – don’t miss it!
PICTURE: Craig McLean, Outside Drylaw Police station, community campaign GRASP protesting against Police harassment and violence, 2001
The Resistance exhibition chronicles 100 years of protest across Britain from 1903–2003. Using the exhibition as a starting point, activists Willie Black and Anna Hutchison alongside chair Dave Pickering, editor of the North Edinburgh News and Information Worker at Granton Information Centre, discuss North Edinburgh community activism, campaigns and actions, and their relationship and solidarity with local, national and international protests and change.
All tickets for the live event have been snapped up, but you can watch the discussion online in a streamed version of the live event.
Ticketholders will be sent a joining link before the event to either watch live or view the recording later.
SOLIDARITY WINS: CREATIVE RESISTANCE in NORTH EDINBURGH
Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh Exhibition Launch
2pm – 4pm
National Galleries of Scotland, The Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, EH2 1J
Celebration with food, song and creative activities in the Contemporary Space of the Portrait Gallery. Art works, archive films and research material gathered by Art for Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Arts & Culture Group.
Join us for an afternoon of creativity, community and conversation celebrating North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.
As part of the Resistance exhibition, the National Galleries of Scotland’s Community Development programme has been working with North Edinburgh groups to create responsive work inspired by the area’s long history of community resistance.
Workshops have included song writing, poetry, photo-montage and exploring photographer Craig MacLean’s back catalogue of North Edinburgh activism, all of which will result in an riso-graph exhibition at the Portrait gallery in November.
As well as this North Edinburgh Arts worked with Local Cinema to programme films as part of their ‘Local Resistance’ programme.
Each screening event included a creative element, one of which included the Resistance choir performing their collaboratively penned song ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘, along with some well known songs on power of solidarity and friendship.
Thanks to song writing facilitator and choir leader Penny Stone and Tinderbox Jed Milroy and artists Sam Rutherford, Jj Fadaka and Megan Rudden, and all those involved so far!
The programme is a partnership with North Edinburgh Arts Art 4 Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group.
IMAGE (above): Collaborative piece by Art 4 Grown Ups members, framed by Muirhouse anti-racism campaign image, 1991.
If anyone is free 2 – 4pm today, it’s the launch of ‘Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh‘ exhibition at the Portrait Gallery, which has been a collaboration between North Edinburgh Arts’ Art 4 Grown Ups project and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group (writes HOLLY YEOMAN).
Together they have reflected and responded to North Edinburgh activism and campaigns over the years. There is a community lunch catered by Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts and we will be singing our anthem ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘ at around 3pm-ish(!)
The exhibition will run till April, and we welcome community groups who might want to visit. If interested please email hyeoman@nationalgalleries.org
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin has pledged support for the next generation of green leaders in Africa as Climate Week NYC gets underway.
A total of £165,000 of Scottish Government funding has been awarded to the Green Generation Initiative (GGI) Youth Accelerator Programme – run by Kenyan youth climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti.
It will be used to help identify, upskill and mentor 25 emerging African climate leaders seeking to drive change and action in their local communities through a year-long fellowship programme.
The move reflects government commitments to champion the rights of children and young people as a signatory of the UNICEF Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action.
The government also reiterated its commitment to amplify the voices and strengthen the participation of young people from the Global South at climate conferences.
Ms Martin met with Ms Wathuti as part of her engagements in New York for Climate Week NYC.
She said: “Young people’s activism has challenged governments around the world to go further and faster on climate action and was instrumental in Scotland becoming one of the first countries to declare a climate emergency.
“Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to ensure that young people feel valued, empowered and heard, and that they have access to the right funding and resources to act as agents of change in climate advocacy and action.
“This funding supports wider Scottish Government action on climate justice – which recognises that those who have contributed the least to global emissions are the ones most vulnerable to its impacts.
“By empowering youth-led organisations, we will help mobilise the next generation of leaders to shape climate policy, drive innovation and promote inclusive action that meets the needs of the communities they represent.”
Elizabeth Wathuti founder of Green Generation Initiative said: “The Green Generation Initiative (GGI) is glad to partner with the Scottish Government to scale our Africa’s Next Green Leaders Eccelerator (ANGLE).
“This partnership marks a powerful step toward building a green accelerator ecosystem in Africa that transforms promising youth-led climate leaders, ideas, solutions, and initiatives into investable, scalable, and locally rooted social enterprises and champions for people, planet, and prosperity.
“Through a strong consortium of partners and as a key youth voice in Africa, the Green Generation Initiative (GGI), through ANGLE is committed to advancing just, resilient, and low-carbon development pathways, driving green transitions across African communities and markets.”
Exhibiton explores the intersection of traditional craft and social activism
A new colourful and vibrant exhibition bringing together historic objects and contemporary protest material to explore the recent explosion of ‘Craftivism’ in Edinburgh is now open.
Running until 26 January 2026, the exhibition will explore Craftivism – the practice of using traditional craft techniques like knitting, sewing and collage to address political, social, and cultural concerns. Over the past two decades, the movement has gained significant momentum, especially in the wake of the global pandemic.
Edinburgh has become a centre of Craftivist activity due to its position as Scotland’s capital and the home of its Parliament, as well as its strong heritage in teaching and nurturing craft skills.
The exhibition shines a light on how these humble, time-honoured practices have been repurposed as powerful forms of expression, from political protests to expressions of personal identity.
It will feature a rich variety of items from Edinburgh’s collections, including pieces from the People’s Story, Museum of Edinburgh, and the Museum of Childhood.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said:Edinburgh has strong craft heritage so I’m delighted that the Museum of Edinburgh will be showcasing how the tradition of craft has evolved into a powerful form of activism.
“It’s wonderful to see historic examples of work from across our museums displayed alongside the work of talented contemporary makers. The range of creativity displayed, and the issues engaged with, shows what a vibrant city Edinburgh is.
“This exhibition is a testament to the resilience and spirit of communities who are using their craft to advocate for change, from environmental justice to mental health awareness.”
Curator Vicky Garrington said:“It’s been a fascinating experience, diving into Museums & Galleries Edinburgh’s historic collections to explore the history of crafting and protest in the Capital.
“We hope viewers will enjoy seeing objects from our collections alongside works by talented contemporary makers.
“From quiet explorations of wellbeing through lacemaking to bold knitted panels demanding climate justice, there is something for everyone on display.”
Highlights include crocheted protest banners, a Victorian scrap screen, and even a Jacobite drinking glass, each providing a unique lens through which to understand Edinburgh’s history of activism.
Alongside these historic items, the exhibition will present the work of contemporary Craftivists, with pieces that touch on topics such as politics, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, and mental health.
Among the featured works are those made in collaboration with MindRoom, a charity that supports neurodiverse young people, and the City Art Centre South Asian Youth Group.
The exhibition will also host a variety of public programmes, lacemaking demonstrations, interactive workshops.
It runs from Wednesday 17 Sept 2025 until Monday 26 Jan 2026.
Something exciting is coming! Keep your eyes peeled for more information!
FILM HUB SCOTLAND are proud to support LOCAL RESISTANCE, a programme of local film screenings curated by – and for – communities in Wester Hailes, Muirhouse, Craigmillar and Leith.
Join Edinburgh Tool Library and The Crannie for a screening of a powerful short film, War Without Bullets, about Glaswegian activist Cathy McCormack – who transformed her fight against poor housing conditions in her own community into a global movement for health justice.
The film will be accompanied by food and an open conversation about our experiences and hopes for our own homes, and our struggles and successes with fighting for safe and healthy housing conditions.
There will be more information about housing and energy advice at the event if you have any specific questions about your own situation.
Change for the better happens when we stand together and demand it!
Join this free online meeting to talk about how we can mobilise people in your community for the Scotland Demands Better march.
Are you an activist? Do you want to campaign for a better Scotland?
Change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it.
Help us rally Scotland behind Scotland Demands Better—let’s fill the streets of Edinburgh on October 25th!
Scotland needs that change. Too many of us are being cut off from life’s essentials. Too many are frightened of what the future will bring. Too many of us are feeling tired, angry, isolated, and disillusioned.
Scotland Demands Better is a march and festival for all of us. It’s our chance to come together and demand that politicians make the changes we need for a decent society.
We demand better jobs for everyone who needs one, with fair conditions and wages that pay the bills.
We demand better investment for life’s essentials – like affordable homes, good public transport, a safe environment, and strong public services.
We demand better social security so that all of us have a foundation for the future.
We are hosting a series of ‘Get Organised’ meetings to support you to mobilise your communities to stand up and demand change.
This first meeting will be an opportunity to network with others who are supportive of the campaign. We will give an update on the campaign so far, discuss strategies to spread the word about Scotland Demands better and chat about what support we can offer you.
We are looking forward to seeing you there.
This meeting is for people interested in the campaign and activists, rather than organisations.
Disability rights campaigners held a protest outside Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray’s constituency office in 31 Minto Street on Saturday. The event was organised to protest against proposed cuts to disability benefits.
Speakers attended from local community groups such as Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty, ‘Crips Against Cuts’ Edinburgh, and local disability rights groups and charities.
Ian Murray was criticised for cutting benefits while receiving an income at taxpayer expense. One attendee broke down in tears describing the effect the proposed cuts to disability benefits would have on their life.
Speakers were followed by live music and an open discussion about how to stop the cuts.
One protester was dressed as the Grim Reaper to emphasise the life-threatening impact of proposed cuts.
The protest was organised by the Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty and the Austerity Resistance Forum.
A member of the forum commented: ”The Austerity Resistance Forum is a political group based in the local community, and on regular assemblies.
“We are sick of years of failed and disastrous austerity policies which are tearing up working class communities. A crumbling NHS, a sky-high cost of living, and social desperation are the direct result of endless government cuts”.
Speeches and statements
John McArdleCo-founder of the Scotland-based grassroots Black Triangle spoke at the demonstration: “The message we need to send to Labour MP’s is that if you vote for this bill we will see you off. You will lose your seat. We’ve done the research. We know that in most constituencies there are more disabled people than the parliamentary majority of those MP’s.
“They are treading on very, very thin political ice, and the only thing they understand is hard political power. Brothers and Sisters, we have that power!
“The message we send to Ian Murray today, and to every Scottish Labour MP who was elected in the new intake is that if you attack us, if you starve us, if you try and kill us – we will shut you down!”
Following the protest, he added: “We have read the ‘Riot Act’ to the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party] now. We have done our homework and the whole community is on our side: if you vote for these cuts, if you continue your betrayal of us; if you remove our support and try to starve us, make us homeless and ultimately kill us, we and our allies will ensure that your constituency majorities will be wiped out and that the Labour Party ceases to be a political force here in Scotland, Wales or the United Kingdom generally.
“We will take you down with our ship. You know it.”
A speaker from a local disability charity also made a speech at the event:“I’ve worked with disabled people now for eighteen years, and this is the worst attack that we’ve seen ..even worse than the cuts under the coalition government … we’re going to see absolute destitution occurring.
“It’s already happening. In Scotland seventy five percent of food bank users are disabled people or their families. [Audience members shout “shame on scotland”] It is an absolute shame, but it’s also a shame on society, wider society, in the UK… I consider myself a disabled person now… I have stage four cancer.
But, I’m above the age where I’ll lose benefits. It really does mean a lot to disabled people that we have allies in the movement that are prepared to take action…You can tell the amount of support that the public has for this issue by the amount of cars that are honking their horns as they pass… We will win eventually. I’m absolutely certain of that. Thank you very much. [Cheering and clapping].”
A local resident with Parkinson’s disease also spoke, while physically shaking: “There are a lot of elements of Parkinson’s disease which are not included in the measurements for assessing disability.
“Like me, without medication I sleep about four hours a night and day after day, week after week, that’s really hard. They way they cut it, it’s just so arbitrary. If you can tell from my voice, I’m American. I’ve been here twenty years, my life is here.
“But I’ve been getting some close reports with what’s been going on with the Trump Administration, which is in power partly because the democrats did not support the people enough and gave rise to populism. [Applause and drums] I think that is going to happen here. I just want to thank every single one of you for showing up today [tears], for making this issue viable.
“Please continue to do so. Thank you.” [Applause and drums].
Get tickets: 
Read our interview with Local Resistance coordinator, Morvern Cunningham: 
12 Sept, 5.30pm
