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Jo backs campaign for Thomas Muir statue

March 12, 2010 4:35 PM

Jo is backing a campaign to have a statue of Thomas Muir erected outside the Scottish Parliament.

Thomas Muir, known as the "Father of Scottish Democracy", lived in Huntershill in Bishopbriggs. The leading spokesperson for the first Scottish pro democracy group, The Friends of the People, his demands for universal suffrage were strongly resisted by the establishment. He was finally put on trial for Sedition in 1793, for which he was sentenced with transportation to Australia. He escaped but died penniless in France in 1799.

The group 'The Friends of Thomas Muir' are campaigning to have a statue of Muir erected outside the Scottish Parliament, or in a prominent location along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Commenting, Jo said:

"This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge a true local hero, and man who courageously stood up for democratic principles in the face of terrible persecution.

"I have written to the First Minister calling on him to join me in backing this campaign. Thomas Muir deserves recognition amongst Scots and it is amazing that no statue of him has ever been erected. I urge people to sign the e-petition to support this long overdue tribute to the man who is rightly regarded as the Father of Scottish Democracy."

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