Crowds cheer Jimi's anti-war song at Independence rally in Scotland.

 

A song dedicated to the victims of violent forced conscription or 'busification' in Ukraine was loudly cheered at a pro-Scottish Independence rally in Scotland.

During his half hour live set at the annual 'Hope Over Fear' rally at Coatbridge near Glasgow, Jimi McRae, also known as Jimi the Piper, performed a version of the famous musical piece Polyushko Polie, (Song Of The Plains) an emotive song which originated on the Russian/Ukrainian steppes. 

He called on the audience to oppose plans to introduce conscription or compulsory military service in the UK. He also condemned UK politicians and media outlets for apparently deliberately ignoring the violent abduction and forced conscription of men in Ukraine.

"I'm sick to the depths of my soul of seeing videos on social media of poor Ukrainian men being dragged away from their families and loved ones by violent thugs in uniform" he said. "These poor souls are bundled into vans or people carriers and sent directly to the front where almost certain death awaits.

"In many of the videos you see passers-by fighting the kidnappers to try and save the victims. There are thousands of these videos, all from verified Ukrainian sources. Yet our politicians are saying nothing. Our media says nothing. I think it's an absolute disgrace."

According to Jimi the website https://t.co/gyzIRKzQpA contains almost 10,000 video clips of working class Ukrainian men being violently abducted and conscripted into military service. Jimi was so appalled at the scenes he decided to include just a few short "heartbreaking"clips in a video of his performance at the Hope Over Fear rally.

"People need to wake up" he added. "It is happening to poor Ukrainians today but it could easily be our own sons, daughters and grandchildren tomorrow unless we say 'No! This is totally unacceptable. Stop!'"

Link to Jimi's performance and anti-war video here: https://youtu.be/NNTHE-FcuBQ?si=4ScPxXZTxXI9ax-M

'Hope Over Fear' founder and lifelong socialist and social justice campaigner Tommy Sheridan said: "Jimi's participation in our annual rally was greatly appreciated. He performed his brilliant anti-war pipe tune and his explicit rejection of the obscene anti Russian propaganda being promoted by western elites and media was very well received. More and more people are seeing through the lies. Russia is not our enemy. The western elites are our biggest threat".

Due to public demand Jimi's version of Polyushko Polie is now available to download and stream at the following online music sites. 

Meanwhile, a UK wide petition has been launched calling for all military and financial aid to Ukraine to be paused. It can be viewed and signed here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/781311?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1dennhb7667c7&fbclid=IwY2xjawVETmlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6gz6cCqozhbNwz6_0PbV8DJPMustMQFCJTP9HuXDLMPjfUdkC3rLYsbpf4FQ_aem_W592paNEwOt2DChCixv9G

Artwork for Jimi's new release