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Galloway to lead peace rally in Edinburgh

ONE of the Church of Scotland's most senior ministers will speak out at a peace rally against nuclear weapons in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Hundreds of people are expected to take part in a march from Holyrood with a rally in the Grassmarket organised by campaign group Scotland's for Peace. The march will be led by First Minister Alex Salmond and the Kirk's Ian Galloway, convener of the church's Church and Society Council, alongside representatives from churches and faith groups across Scotland.

The aim of the rally is to ensure that the Trident nuclear weapons system is on the general election agenda for potential candidates.

Speaking today Mr Galloway said he sees the UK government's proposal to upgrade the Trident nuclear weapons system based in Scotland as morally indefensible.

Mr Galloway said: "On Saturday I will be in marching and speaking against nuclear weapons. I do this out of a firmly held conviction that nuclear weapons are wrong as they kill indiscriminately but also because the Church of Scotland has long spoken out against such weapons."

The Church of Scotland and others Scottish Clergy against Nuclear Armaments and different faith leaders united last month to launch an initiative at Holyrood placing nuclear weapons and Trident at the forefront of the General Election campaign.

At a time when voters are asking difficult questions about the best use of tax revenues for the benefit of the maximum number of citizens we have to consider the financial implications as well as the moral. The government is committed to ending poverty here is a way to begin to fulfil that pledge, said Mr Galloway.

Mr Galloway said: "There is a real chance that the renewal of the Trident system, which is due very soon, could be overturned if enough political pressure is applied."

Ends

Note to News Desks:

The event will be chaired by actor David Hayman, with music from the Commotion Drummers and community choir Protest in Harmony. The march begins outside the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, at 11am, Saturday 13 March, ending at the Grassmarket.

Speakers for the rally include Rev Ian Galloway, Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch, politicians and trade unionists.

Local information at www.peaceandjustice.org.uk and www.scotland4peace.org

nr/21/03/10

Wednesday 10, March 2010

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