Scottish Socialist Youth
| Scottish Socialist Youth | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Suite 370 Central Chambers 94 Hope Street Glasgow G2 6LD |
| Ideology | Democratic socialism Anti-capitalism Scottish independence Scottish republicanism Youth rights |
| Position | Left-wing |
| Website | www.ssy.org.uk |
Scottish Socialist Youth (SSY) is the youth wing of the Scottish Socialist Party.[1] They are an anti-capitalist, anti-racist and anti-globalisation organisation which stands for the creation of an independent, socialist Scotland.
Campaigning
SSY have produced a charter outlining their policies, many of which are broadly similar to the SSP's. They hold an annual demo in protest at the current drug laws, initially campaigning for the legalisation of cannabis,[1] now broadened to demand new thinking on approaches to all drugs, prompted by the 2009 banning of mephedrone.
They were involved in the campaign against the G8 summit at Gleneagles. In June 2007, five members of the SSY were arrested at Faslane as part of the Faslane 365 campaign [2] They were also heavily involved in campaigning for the SSP during the 2005 general election and in the 2007 Scottish Parliament and council elections where a number of members stood as SSP candidates.
Currently they are campaigning against low pay for young workers, and are arguing for an £8 per hour minimum wage regardless of age. They have produced workers' rights cards to let young workers know what they are entitled to and how to get it. In November 2007, the SSY organised a protect in conjunction with the SSP LGBT Network against Stagecoach, after two young gay men were threatened with being thrown off a bus as one had their arm around the other.[3]
The results of the 2010 UK election resulting in a coalition government led by the Tories, has led to the SSY campaigning against the new government and the cuts that they are inflicting. SSY received national media attention in 2010 when they organised a demonstration at short notice to coincide with David Cameron's first visit to Scotland as Prime Minister, on 14 May 2010.[4]
Recently, SSY have also been involved in anti-fascist activity in Scotland, notably helping organise mobilisations against the far-right Scottish Defence League in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Kilmarnock, as well as participating in UKUnCut actions targeting major retailers which practice large scale tax avoidance.
Structure
Although the SSY is affiliated to the Scottish Socialist Party, it is an autonomous body and is open to all socialists in Scotland (except members of opposing parties) under the age of 27.
The day-to-day running of the SSY is the responsibility of the National Organiser, assisted by the National Executive Committee which plays a leadership role. The NEC is elected at the annual National Conference with its membership split equally between men and women. The National Organiser is also elected at the conference. Additionally, SSY has branches across Scotland that conduct activity in their area.
SSY held their tenth annual conference in Glasgow in July 2011.
Women's Group
SSY also have a self-organised women's group, to which all young women are invited. The aim of the Women's Group is to create a space for young socialist women to talk about the issues that affect them. The Women's Group feel that, in a male-dominated environment, young women can be sidelined and may feel that their opinion is less valid. The SSY Women's Group aims to give young women confidence in their abilities. It first assembled in 2005 at Camp Secret Squirrel, the SSY summer camp, and has continued to meet since.
At the SSY Conference 2005, the Women's Group decided that their main campaign would be on sex education, in particular discouraging and campaigning against abstinence-only education, which was run in some state schools at the expense of the Scottish Government. Their campaign, "Fuck Abstinence!", involved giving information on reproductive rights to young women denied adequate sex education.[5] Some campaigners involved were sent graphic literature by an anti-abortion group.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b "Cannabis smokers take to streets". 17 July 2004. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ SSY Members arrested at Faslane
- ^ "Scotland hug-in protests target Stagecoach buses". 15 November 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Dave-olution". 16 May 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "A tale of two rallies". 7 September 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
External links