SSP News
News from the Scottish Socialist Party
Recent Posts
Top Stories
Photos
Archives
To view archived news stories click here
Links
This site aims to comply with web standards and to be accessible for all. Thanks to glish.com. Best viewed in a browser that complies with web standards.
Monday, June 30, 2003
Don't brand us neds say city's teens The Edinburgh Youth Social Inclusion Partnership (EYSIP) created the Citizen Y campaign in an attempt to break the negative perceptions of young people and give teenagers a voice...
The campaign is backed by Edinburgh-born actor Gary McCormack, star of Scottish film Sweet Sixteen, and Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane, who helped unveil the St John’s mural at the weekend.
Ms Kane, who called on the Scottish Parliament to condemn the use of the word "ned" at the start of June, said Citizen Y would promote the image of youngsters and save them from a sustained attack by the Executive. "What young people need is justice and full citizen rights," she said.
An SSP spokesman added that the campaign was not a short-term solution to the problem, but would hopefully lead to the reopening of facilities for teenagers and a campaign for 16-17 year-olds to be given the vote. He said: "Young people are being tarred with the same brush, being accused of criminality and branded hooligans, but this is simply an attack by the Executive who see 16-17-year-olds as an easy target to demonise.
"These youngsters get taxed and pay National Insurance but they can’t vote, so they are effectively a powerless group that is being unfairly attacked. What Citizen Y, and similar groups, are providing is a great initiative that shows young people in a positive light."
After the summer events, Citizen Y and the EYSIP hopes to attract other youth bodies to the cause. Edinburgh Evening News
