Message of support from The Proclaimers

Early in 2007, twins Craig and Charlie Reid, otherwise known as the "Proclaimers" will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the release of the first Proclaimers album "This is the Story" .
From that early incursion into the music scene, they have fashioned a distinctive style which appeals to a world-wide audience. Although born in Fife, the two brothers regard Edinburgh as their spiritual home and Leith the epicentre.Theirs is a story of hard work, dedication and commitment to their art, and the social conscience reflected in their songs is Burnsian in its simplicity.For twenty years these Edinburgh residents have been truth-telling minstrels who challenge the unthinking to become thinkers, the inactive to become participants and the losers to become winners.
In fact, their philosophy of the brotherhood of man as the basis for "Scotland's story" is indicative of a deep humanity which has endeared them to a universal following.
As they celebrate their Twentieth anniversary of the release of "This is the Story" I would like to ask that they give some thought, yet again, to the plight of Kenny Richey, the lad from Edinburgh, known as the Innocent Scot on Death Row, who reaches his Twentieth Anniversary awaiting execution for a crime that was never committed.
In Kenny Richey's twenty years there are no highlights to be found. His health has steadily deteriorated, his hope of leaving Mansfield Correctional Institution alive, evaporates by the day. His existence is one of living death. Death by a thousand denials, death by indifference to the truth and death in the name of protection of political, prosecutorial and investigative corruption.
This is the Story. Craig and Charlie Reid know this story and have spoken out in the past in defence of Kenny Richey and a further expression of their support as they and Kenny share a mutual anniversary would go a long, long way to let the blind see.

By Peter McKenna

Proclaimers Website

http://www.proclaimers.co.uk/2003/