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Seòmar agus comataidhean

100th Anniversary of John Maclean's Speech from the Dock

  • Submitted by: Ross Greer, West Scotland, Scottish Green Party.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 May 2018
  • Motion reference: S5M-12155

That the Parliament notes that 9 May 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the famed speech from the dock by John Maclean, the revolutionary socialist from Glasgow, during his trial for sedition, which took place during the Red Clydeside era; understands that the themes covered in his 75-minute speech included the flaws of capitalism, opposition to war, respect for basic rights and, as a socialist, his beliefs of the need to reconstruct society for the benefit of all; considers that many of these themes remain relevant today, and condemns what it believes was the state persecution of John Maclean and the reported mistreatment that he was subject to during his imprisonment, which it considers contributed to his early death.


Supported by: Clare Adamson, Tom Arthur, Bob Doris, Neil Findlay, Clare Haughey, Bill Kidd, Rona Mackay, Ruth Maguire, John Mason, Ivan McKee, Mark Ruskell, Andy Wightman