Skip to main content
Charges of ‘illegal’ protest against Edinburgh activist dismissed

AN EDINBURGH activist charged with holding an “illegal” demonstration in solidarity with the people of Palestine had his case dismissed at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Willie Black, a veteran of blacklisting in the construction industry in the 1970s and since, who now serves as joint secretary of Trades Unions Into Communities in the city’s Craigmillar estate, was arrested and bundled into a police van at a demonstration against the Gazan genocide on March 23 this year.

A sit-in by fellow campaigners won his release from the van on the day and now his charges have been dismissed.

More than 100 people who had rallied in Mr Black’s support picketed outside the court, including trade unionists from his own Unite construction branch, the RMT, and even reps at arms manufacturer Leonardos, a regular focus of protest.

Speaking to the Star after leaving court, Mr Black said: “It says something when it’s OK to profiteer from the deaths of 30,000 and more civilians, for the UK to keep sending arms, and it’s somehow a step too far to walk down a street and point that out.

“An occupied people have the right to protest and we have the right to back them. But we also need to unite.

“We know how sectarian the left can be, but now is the time to come together.

“Whether its on the cost of living, Palestine, whatever it may be, whatever group we’re in, it’s the same struggle and the powers that be want us to divide and stop speaking up.

“When a scab approaches a picket line, everyone on it puts aside their arguments, their football rivalries and the like and links arms until the scab turns back, and that’s what we need across the left today.”

Morning Star Conference - Race, Sex & Class
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Walkers take an evening stroll near Gretna, Dumfries and Gal
Scotland / 30 May 2025
30 May 2025
NUM Scottish President Mick McGahey (right) with NUM President Arthur Scargill in London, where they met with coal board chairman Ian MacGregor at the NCB's headquarters, March 6, 1984
Scotland / 29 May 2025
29 May 2025
School girls walking to school
Education / 28 May 2025
28 May 2025
Similar stories
Palestine Action activists use vans to shut down Leonardo's
Britain / 10 December 2024
10 December 2024
Protesters blockade the Leonardo UK site
Britain / 20 November 2024
20 November 2024
People protest against Leonardo UK's role in Israel's Gaza g
Britain / 16 September 2024
16 September 2024
Activists protest outside Leonardo’s plant in Edinburgh, J
Britain / 24 July 2024
24 July 2024