[imc-scotland-discussion] draft article for indy scotland news-sheet

[Mike92@riseup.net]

Solidarity wins victories

 

"IF YOU'RE being hounded by debt collectors, had your benefits cut, been threatened with eviction, or got some other problem - don't suffer in silence.  Seek support and stand up for your rights."  That's the message from Edinburgh Claimants.  This independent group holds drop-in advice and solidarity sessions, in conjunction with Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty, every Tuesday afternoon at the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, by Leith Walk.

 

"We have won several significant victories recently," Edinburgh Claimants told Indymedia.  "We stopped the Council evicting Gloria and her young daughter from their emergency accommodation.

 

"The Council claimed she had turned down an offer of permanent accommodation, so they could evict her.  But just after she had viewed the flat on offer, she had been forced to flee when a group of men in the street had subjected her and her child to racist abuse.  This happened close to the flat, so obviously she was afraid to move there.  She told the Council, but they didn't listen.

 

"However after we made phone calls and wrote letters on her behalf the council backed down.  They withdrew the eviction notice and restored her full housing priority."

 

Other recent Edinburgh Claimants successes include:

* The full restoration of Job Seekers Allowance to Simone, whose benefit had been cut for not using the official form to record her job search

* The dropping of a benefits fraud investigation against Tracey, accused of not declaring occasional part time work

* Significant reductions in the level of repayments of council tax arrears John and David had to make to the sheriff officers

* Many months back-dated Housing Benefit won for Kevin and Alistair, after earlier claims had been turned down

 

Now the launch of Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty (ECAP) means even more support will be available for people up against authorities and bosses.  "If the authorities just refuse to budge to right an injustice, we can alert the ECAP solidarity phone tree and people will turn up to insist the right decision is made."

 

ECAP has the backing not only of Edinburgh Claimants, but also of the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh and the Industrial Workers of the World, the revolutionary union committed to grass-roots organising.

 

"Whether you've a particular problem, or you'd like to get involved, or you'd just like to know more, do get in touch."

 

Contact Edinburgh Claimants / ECAP at ACE, 17 West Montgomery Place EH7 5HA.  Drop in advice Tuesdays 1-4pm Tel 07521 171148 or 0131 557 6242 (ansaphone plus staffed Tues 1-4) www.edinburghclaimants.org  

(Note: the names have been changed in the cases described)

 

 

-------------------
Please note this is the only functioning e mail address I now have - if you have any others please delete from your address book as they will no longer work.  Thanks.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-scotland-discussion/attachments/20080328/d45a59ff/attachment.htm