McDonald's: One down

It’s working! Moments after launching the petition calling on companies like McDonald’s to give up their Olympic tax breaks, their rattled PR team were on the phone. [1] Minutes later they publicly confirmed they wouldn’t be taking up the tax dodge. [2]

If you didn’t sign the petition because you weren’t sure it would work, now you know it can. It’s an exciting start. But there are lots of other sponsors who still haven’t budged. Let’s turn up the pressure by keeping the petition growing. Every name helps.

Can you sign the petition now and tell the other sponsors to pay their fair share?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging

Next in our sights is Coca-Cola. They’ll be supersizing their profits at the Olympics, expecting to sell 23 million drinks. [3] Together let’s make sure that they’re paying their fair share in tax. Their close relationship with McDonald’s will make dodging the issue even harder for them now.

The petition’s already got nearly 100,000 names. If you can help push it past that target we’ll organise a high profile hand-in to Coke’s London headquarters and a simultaneous people-powered flood of messages to them via Facebook and Twitter. Together, we’ll make a splash they can’t ignore!

38 Degrees members have been campaigning against tax dodging because things get cut when businesses don’t pay their fair share. The Olympics is a powerful global symbol. Taking on this particular tax dodge won’t fix the whole problem but it’ll send a strong message that we expect these massive multinationals to do the right thing.

If we can get to 100,000 signatures, we’ll organise a hand-in at Coke’s London headquarters this Friday. Click below to add your name now: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging


Thanks for being involved,

David T, Robin, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team


PS: The secretive nature of these companies’ tax arrangements makes it difficult to figure out exactly how much this Olympic tax dodge is worth. Let’s use people power to shine a light on what they’re up to. Can you call on Coca-Cola to front up? Sign the petition here: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging


NOTES
[1] Ethical Consumer: The Great Olympic Tax Swindle http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/commentanalysis/corporatewatch/thegreatolympictaxswindle.aspx
[2] McDonald’s: Olympic Tax Exemption Clarification http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/Aboutus/Newsroom/news_pages/Olympic_Tax_Exemption.html
[3] Coca-Cola: What does Coca-Cola’s sponsorship bring to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?
http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/faq/olympic-games/what-does-coca-cola-sponsorship-bring-to-london-2012.html

Exciting news -- 40,000 Avaaz campaigners?!

Dear friends,

Think of a petition you'd like to start on any issue – it takes just a few minutes to create your own campaign! If your petition takes off, it may become an Avaaz campaign – either to members in your area, or even to the whole world.

Today is a big day for Avaaz. If you join in, we might just move from having a small team of 40 campaigners to having 40,000!!

When I started Avaaz, it was just a crazy idea. But I loved the idea, and shared it, and now it's an idea that 14,500,000 people share! I've been blown away by the passion, creativity, smarts and commitment of everyone in this community. Every day Avaaz members send in brilliant and important ideas for new campaigns to create the world we all want – more than our small staff could ever carry out alone.

So, to unlock all the incredible potential of our community to change the world, we've developed our website tools to allow any Avaazer to instantly start their *own* online petitions, tell friends, and win campaigns.

The site just went live – will you give it a try? Think of a petition you'd like to start on any issue – something impacting your local community, some bad behaviour by a distant corporation, or a global cause that you think other Avaaz members would care about. If your petition takes off, it may become an Avaaz campaign – either to members in your area, or even to the whole world! Click here to get started – it takes just a few minutes to create your own campaign!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?vl

I'm so excited about this. In just five years, Avaaz has run an incredible number of hard-hitting campaigns and grown to be the largest-ever global movement for change, all with just a tiny staff – imagine what's possible with all of us starting and winning amazing campaigns! I can't wait.

With much respect and hope,

Ricken

SCA Briefings

On the ground	Policy talk
The sound of splash Most folk can remember where they learnt how to swim – those first wild strokes without arm bands. Perhaps that’s the reason why swimming pools stir up such passion when threatened with closure.  Eleven years ago, that happened to Govanhill Baths.  Since then, the community have worked tirelessly to have these famous Baths reopened under local ownership. Any day now, and with National Theatre of Scotland an unlikely partner, the sound of happy splashing will be heard once more ...read more	Cast yourself in the people’s film The Alliance is by no means alone in its ambition to ensure the debate on independence does not remain the sole preserve of politicians.   The big pillars of Scotland’s civil society came together some months ago to launch their own ‘platform’ for the independence debate- The Future of Scotland.  Other initiatives – of a more creative variety  - are also taking shape, designed to draw out our thoughts and feelings on Scotland’s future.  What about a film of the people, by the people? ...read more
We need more of this, not less There’s something life affirming about stories like North Kelvin Meadow.  A local community ‘adopts’ some disused Council land that had suffered years of neglect , fly-tipping and much worse.  And now, with the rubbish cleared, and heaps of tender loving care, the space has been transformed into a much cherished urban meadow.  This is much more than somewhere to walk the dog or for children to play safely – this shows how shared space can really build communities.  The Council begs to differ ...read more	Odd logic Our previous comments on the dire state of local democracy in Scotland struck a chord with many. There is clearly widespread dismay at the current state of affairs but few practical ideas as to the way ahead. Think tank, Reform Scotland, have had a go. It suggests that the way to tackle the most centralised system of local government in Europe is to have even fewer councils albeit with more powers than at present.  Not sure about the logic of this one but at least it sparked some reaction ...read more
It’s good to share An antidote to the wholly marketised world as described by Michael Sandel may be at hand.  In a certain West Yorkshire village, anyone passing by a well-tended vegetable garden is openly invited to come in and help themselves.  It’s the same all over the village.  The simple idea of sharing seems to be making a comeback.  The grounds of the doctor’s surgery have been turned into an orchard – apple trees, no doubt.  Why has this community decided to grow food to share with others? ...read more	The silent crisis Another timely contribution on the same theme comes from The Jimmy Reid Foundation.  The Silent Crisis predates the recent local elections but its authors are in no doubt as to the scale of the problem. The report draws a distinction between local administration and local democracy. It concludes that local government reorganisation is unnecessary but that another layer of localised democracy is essential. It calls on Scottish Government to set up a Commission to take this proposal forward ...read more
At the 11th hour When five acres of ancient woodland near Innerleithen were put on the market by the local landowner, the local community trust became concerned that this prized amenity would fall into neglect if it became the property of an absentee owner.  Their sterling efforts to rally local support at the eleventh hour for a community bid to purchase the land looked to be falling short of the offer price. That was until an anonymous benefactor stepped in ...read more	Looking to Iceland Last week, a small gathering in Edinburgh set out initial plans to work towards a national citizens’ assembly.  ‘So Say Scotland’ draws its inspiration from the Icelandic people’s reaction to experiencing the trauma of the worst financial collapse in history, and the subsequent exposure of a political system as being  morally bankrupt.  Iceland’s National Assembly (randomly picked from the electorate) have drafted a new constitution for the country ...read more
Community gets its airbase A highly complex community buy out has finally been approved. The MoD has agreed to sell the former airbase at Machrahannish to the community for £1. As part of the deal the MoD will invest approximately £2m in infrastructural improvements but questions remain over possible land contamination and who will pay the final bill.  Despite the uncertainties, the community believe this acquisition will provide a massive boost to their plans to regenerate the area ...read more	Danger of market dominance Michael Sandel is the political philosopher of the moment. The reason his world book tour is a sell- out seems to be his enviable ability to discuss complex ideas in simple terms.  On the issue of the predominance of the market, he bemoans the subtle drift from being a society with a market economy to becoming a market society - where everything and anything has a buyer and a seller and a price.  He argues that this is dangerous territory ...read more

Featured anchor organisation: Newlands Community Development Trust

Isolation, distance from community facilities and services, lack of employment opportunities  … a familiar story in rural life? A group of committed local people formed the Newland Community Development Trust in the Scottish Borders to develop a community hub and to make a difference to the quality of life in the area

...read the full profile on our website

For definition of Anchor Organisation http://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/on-the-ground/anchor-orgs/

To receive these briefings directly, you can sign up here: http://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk

I am a dangerous Woman

I am a dangerous woman
Carrying neither bombs nor babies
Flowers or molotov cocktail
I confound all your reason, theory, realism
Because I will neither lie in your ditches
Nor dig your ditches for you
Nor join your armed struggle
For bigger and better ditches.
I will not walk with you nor walk for you,
I won't live with you
And I won't die for you
But neither will I try to deny you
Your right to live and die.


I will not share one square foot of this earth with you
While you're hell-bent on destruction
But neither will I deny that we are of the same earth,
Born of the same


Mother I will not permit
You to bind my life to yours
But I will tell you that our lives
Are bound together
And I will demand
That you live as though you understand
This one salient fact.


I am a dangerous woman
because I will tell you, sir,
whether you are concerned or not,
Masculinity has made of this world a living hell
A furnace burning away at hope, love, faith, and justice,
A furnace of My Lais, Hiroshimas, Dachaus.
A furnace which burns the babies
You tell us we must make
Masculinity made Femininity


Made the eyes of our women go dark and cold,
sent our sons - yes sir, our sons -
To War
Made our children go hungry
Made our mothers whores
Made our bombs, our bullets, our
'Food for Peace',
our definitive solutions and first strike policies


Yes sir
Masculinity broke women and men on its knee
Took away our futures
Made our hopes, fears, thoughts and good instincts
'irrelevant to the larger struggle'.
And made human survival beyond the year 2000.
An open question.
Yes sir
And it has possessed you.


I am a dangerous woman
because I will say all this
lying neither to you nor with
Neither trusting nor despising you.
I am dangerous because
I won't give up, shut up, or put up with your version of reality
You have conspired to sell my life quite cheaply
And I am especially dangerous
Because I will never forgive nor forget
Or ever conspire
To sell yours in return.

Joan Cavanagh

Tripping up Trump: Just Watch

As Donald Trump, the self-touting environmentalist (having also trashed a Site of Special Scientific Interest to build his golf course in Menie), escalates his battle to stop the wind energy industry of Scotland, we thought you might appreciate a glimpse into the Trump family lifestyle when they're not bullying ... they prefer hunting and killing - WATCH Donald Trump Jr. and his brother in action. Words fail us.

'Despite Trump's recent pronouncements on the world going bust and putting his plans to develop his golf resort on hold, he claims to have found £10million to fund anti-wind power campaigns to save Scotland from being 'encircled' by offshore wind turbines. Trump is hell-bent on destroying an industry is already attracting £billions of investment and creating skilled and well paid jobs across Scotland. And all because he claims they might spoil his view.' 

Meanwhile ...

SAVE THE DATES - We're planning a big event to celebrate the continuing support of the people of Menie, living in the misery of Trump's construction site, and also to celebrate Michael Forbes' birthday. So please SAVE THE DATES - 30th June and 1st of July.  We need your help to raise money for the logistics of the event so if you can donate a little money please please do.

More information to follow. 

Many thanks for all you do. 

Tripping Up Trump 

Smuggle hope into Syria

Dear friends,

The Assad regime is slaughtering its citizens and tearing cities apart. The UN has failed to stop the killing, and Avaaz has the only network that is both smuggling medical equipment and journalists in and images and information out. Click to watch this video appeal from Danny, a brave Syrian democracy activist calling on Avaaz for help and chip in now to save lives:

This urgent video appeal just came in from one of Avaaz's brave citizen journalists in Syria -- our community may be the only one that can help Danny and his friends before the next massacre.

Right now, the regime is murdering men, women and children and tearing cities apart. China and Russia just handcuffed international action at the UN and gave Assad license to unleash his murder machine to crush the Syrian Spring once and for all. But Danny and the democracy movement are more determined than ever and are urgently asking for our continued international solidarity and support.

Let’s be clear -- as embassies close, medical agencies withdraw and journalists pull out, Avaaz has the only network that is both smuggling medical equipment and journalists in and images and information out. The UN has failed, but we can help peaceful democracy heroes like Danny loosen the dictator's grip on their country. Click here to see Danny's appeal and chip in now so we can continue our Arab spring campaigning and support for citizen journalists -- if 20,000 of us donate now, we can get aid to the most besieged cities and towns before the next attack:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/smuggle_hope_into_syria_q/?vl

Activists like Danny are risking their lives for freedom and counting on our global support. On Saturday, Syria’s brutal forces killed another one of Avaaz's citizen journalists, a 23-year-old named Omar who was a leader of our 400-strong network of activists as he pulled people from the rubble after a deadly massacre in Homs. Omar died as he lived, photographing the regime’s crimes, helping others and sacrificing for freedom. After the regime kicked the international media out, brave civilians like Danny and Omar have risked their lives to break the news blackout and help 18 of the world’s leading journalists from foreign news outlets into the locked-down country. It’s likely that the images you have seen on your TV or photographs in your newspaper came from this courageous team.

But that is just a part of what the Avaaz project has done. Thanks to the generous support of members across the world, Avaaz is providing a rare lifeline of critical support to the democracy movement in Syria. When activists told us medicines were running out, we set up a smuggling network to deliver over $1.8 million worth of medical equipment into the country, saving thousands of lives. When the Syrian National Council was struggling to present a credible leadership alternative to the world, we organized meetings in the UN, Russia and across Europe to support their work.

Day after day, Danny and Omar and hundreds of other heroes have turned out to film and protest, facing down tanks with no support from international governments. But what happens in the next two weeks will be decisive. This is the pinnacle of the Arab Spring and the global struggle against brutal despots. Together we can secure a lifeblood to the resistance and walk with the brave Syrian people on their journey to freedom. Click to watch Danny's desperate appeal and make a life-saving donation now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/smuggle_hope_into_syria_q/?vl

This year people power in the Middle East has taught the world an important lesson -- together we are stronger than the fiercest dictator, and fiercer than the most ruthless army. On the streets of Syria, Avaaz is a beloved partner in the struggle for freedom. As one opposition leader put it, “the Syrian people have gained strength from knowing that the world, through the Avaaz community, stands with them.” Together, we have made the impossible possible and with our help Assad’s regime will come to end.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Ian, Antonia, Emma, Ricken, Mouhamad, Morgan, Wissam, Sam, Bissan, Will and the entire Avaaz team

More information:

A Doctor’s Cry for Help as Homs Victims Pour In to a Medical Center [Warning: This is a graphic video not suitable for sensitive viewers]
http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=r3tmevemrqn0

At Least 200 Reported Killed in Syrian City of Homs (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/protesters-turn-out-across-syria-but-capital-is-quiet/2012/02/03/gIQAQOqNnQ_story.html

Homs: Bloody Winter in Syria’s Revolution Capital (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/16/world/meast/syria-homs-profile/index.html

Anger After Russia, China Block UN Action on Syria (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/05/us-syria-idUSTRE80S08620120205?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=71

Syria Crackdown: Homs Bombarded, Dozens Killed (Huffington Post/Reuters)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/syria-crackdown-homs_n_1256699.html