STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1132 23 December 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) A MESSAGE TO ALL STOP THE WAR SUPPORTERS
2) REMEMBER GAZA: ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
3) VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY GAZA 27 DECEMBER
4) STOP THE WAR'S SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK
*********************************
1) A MESSAGE TO ALL STOP THE WAR SUPPORTERS
Dear Friends,
We are writing to thank you for all your work and support over
the past year.
The Stop the War Coalition began 2009 by mobilising to stop
the attack on Gaza, which included the biggest demonstration
for Palestine ever held in Britain, when over 100,000
protested on 10 January.
We have ended it campaigning to get the troops out of
Afghanistan and remembering Gaza on the anniversary of
Israel's attack.
Over this week alone we organised a protest by military
families at Downing St, where we handed in our petition
calling for British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan;
we held a successful Beats Beat Bullets gig for Gaza, and --
together with PSC, CND and BMI -- we will be holding a vigil
at the Israeli Embassy in London on 27 December (see below).
Over the year we have organised -- both nationally and locally
around the country -- a series of demonstrations, vigils,
meetings, rallies, cultural and fundraising events. We will
begin the new year with two important initiatives.
In London on 28 January, Gordon Brown has convened an
international conference to discuss further escalation of the
war in Afghanistan. Stop the War will be organising a protest,
details of which will be available at the beginning of
January.
Also in January or possibly February, it is expected that Tony
Blair will appear at the Chilcot inquiry on Iraq. We want to
mobilise the biggest possible protest against the man now
widely regarded as having broken international law in taking
Britain to war.
There is likely to be a major national demonstration in March
as part of an international day of action, calling for all
foreign troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.
A general election will be called in the first half of 2010
and Stop the war will be organising a campaign to ensure that
the war in Afghanistan is a prominent issue.
Our priority for 2010 will be to intensify the pressure on the
government to bring the troops home, reflecting the view of an
ever increasing majority of people in Britain. The recent US
and British troop surge, the extension of the Afghan war into
Pakistan and Yemen, and the threats against Iran, make our
campaign more important than ever.
The coming year is clearly going to be as busy for Stop the
War as any in our eight year history. Please continue to
support our work and our activities.
We rely entirely on contributions by our supporters to fund
our small office and all of our campaigns. If you are not
already a member of Stop the War, we urge you to consider
becoming one now, or make a donation to help us sustain our
anti-war work as effectively as we can. You can join or donate
online, here: http://bit.ly/APlKX
We wish you a happy holiday and new year, and we hope that by
active opposition to our government's war policies, together
we can help make 2010 more peaceful than the year just ending.
Best wishes,
Lindsey German
National Convenor, Stop the War Coalition
Andrew Murray
National Chair, Stop the War Coalition
*********************************
2) REMEMBER GAZA: ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
To mark that anniversary of Israel's attach and to protest at
the continuing siege of Gaza, there will be a vigil outside
the Israeli Embassy, 3.00 - 5.00pm 5pm, High Street
Kensington, London W8, called by Palestine Solidarity
Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative
and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
REMEMBER GAZA: END THE SIEGE
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2009 3-5PM
HIGH STREET KENSINGTON LONDON W8
(High St Kensington tube station)
*********************************
3) VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY GAZA 27 DECEMBER
The Viva Palestina convoy taking 100 vehicles full of aid from
Britain to break the siege plans enter Gaza on 27 December,
when it will be joined by convoys from Turkey and the United
States. For updates on the convoy,
http://www.vivapalestina.org or Twitter: viva_palestina
*********************************
4) STOP THE WAR'S SONGS FOR XMAS WEEK
We've chosen two songs for Christmas week.
Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon, which is about
Christmas Day 1914 when all sides in World War I laid down
their weapons and made peace by playing a game of soccer.
Barra Barra by Rachid Taha is the soundtrack to a video called
Israel - An Apartheid State, which powerfully captures life
for Palestinians under Israeli occupation and siege. Plus
we've included a bonus video of Rachid Taha and Brian Eno
performing Barra Barra live at the great benefit concert they
did for Stop the War in 2005.
FOR BOTH SONGS, GO TO: http://bit.ly/6vnfKN
Thursday 24 December 2009
Message to all Stop the War Coalition supporters
Saturday 19 December 2009
Mon 21 Dec: join military families handing in petition to Downing Street
Please come to these two protests, next Monday and the Sunday after Xmas.
4) Tony Blair is likely to appear at the Iraq Inquiry in January
and Stop the War's officers are discussing plans for how best
to give him a warm reception.
On 28 January, Gordon Brown's international conference on
Afghanistan, which will be attended by Hamid Karzai, president
of Afghanistan in name but not legitimacy. Stop the War will
of course be organising protests and other events, details of
which will be published soon.
It may not have been called, but the general election campaign
has effectively started, with suggestions the date may be as
early as March. Stop the War intends to ensure that the wars
in Afghanistan and Iraq are central issues in the election.
*********************************
Hackney Stop The War sends best wishes to all our members and supporters for the New Year.
1) DECEMBER 21 MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
3) Thanks to everyone who supported the protest outside Kingsland Shopping Centre 12 Dec.
4) Activity in the New Year
***************************
1) DECEMBER 21 MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
With another two soldiers killed, bringing the total in 2009
to 102, the delivering of our Bring the Troops Home petition
to Downing Street on Monday 21 December, 5pm, could not be
more timely.
Military families are coming from around the country, with
their supporters, to take the petition to Gordon Brown's door.
They will be joined by former soldiers.
The families have asked for as much support as possible.
Hackney Stop the War banner will be present.
Stop the War thanks everyone for their efforts in collecting signatures for the
petition. It doesn't yet have a total figure because petition
sheets are still coming into the office, but tens of thousands
of signatures have been collected.
MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
BRING THE TROOPS HOME
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER, 5PM
DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL, SW1A 2AA
PLEASE SUPPORT IF YOU CAN
For more information see: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
***************************
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
Sunday 28 December will be exactly one year since the start of
Israel's attack on Gaza and there will be worldwide protest
marking the anniversary.
The UK protest will be at the Israeli Embassy in London from
3-5pm. It has been called by Palestine Solidarity Campaign,
Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament and many other organisations and
campaigns (For full list here:and details of Remember Gaza
events around the UK, go to http://bit.ly/5bxUAn )
With a British Court having issued a summons for the arrest of
Tzipi Livni (see http://bit.ly/8b11ul) - one of the three
Israeli ministers who led the Gaza onslaught - the issue of
war crimes, the need for Israel to be brought to account for
war crimes now documented by the UN's Goldstone report, is as
urgent as ever.
The protest at the Israeli embassy will also be calling for an
end to the Gaza siege, through which Israel is strangling all
aspects of civil life for one million Palestinians.
Please publicise the protest as widely as possible.
REMEMBER GAZA: END THE SIEGE
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2009 3-5PM
HIGH STREET KENSINGTON LONDON W8
(High St Kensington tube station)
***************************
1) DECEMBER 21 MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
With another two soldiers killed, bringing the total in 2009
to 102, the delivering of our Bring the Troops Home petition
to Downing Street on Monday 21 December, 5pm, could not be
more timely.
Military families are coming from around the country, with
their supporters, to take the petition to Gordon Brown's door.
They will be joined by former soldiers.
The families have asked for as much support as possible.
Hackney Stop the War banner will be present.
Stop the War thanks everyone for their efforts in collecting signatures for the
petition. It doesn't yet have a total figure because petition
sheets are still coming into the office, but tens of thousands
of signatures have been collected.
MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
BRING THE TROOPS HOME
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER, 5PM
DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL, SW1A 2AA
PLEASE SUPPORT IF YOU CAN
For more information see: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
***************************
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
Sunday 28 December will be exactly one year since the start of
Israel's attack on Gaza and there will be worldwide protest
marking the anniversary.
The UK protest will be at the Israeli Embassy in London from
3-5pm. It has been called by Palestine Solidarity Campaign,
Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament and many other organisations and
campaigns (For full list here:and details of Remember Gaza
events around the UK, go to http://bit.ly/5bxUAn )
With a British Court having issued a summons for the arrest of
Tzipi Livni (see http://bit.ly/8b11ul) - one of the three
Israeli ministers who led the Gaza onslaught - the issue of
war crimes, the need for Israel to be brought to account for
war crimes now documented by the UN's Goldstone report, is as
urgent as ever.
The protest at the Israeli embassy will also be calling for an
end to the Gaza siege, through which Israel is strangling all
aspects of civil life for one million Palestinians.
Please publicise the protest as widely as possible.
REMEMBER GAZA: END THE SIEGE
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2009 3-5PM
HIGH STREET KENSINGTON LONDON W8
(High St Kensington tube station)
***************************
3) Thanks to everyone who came to the 40 strong protest outside the Army Show Room at the Kingsland Shopping Centre on Sat 12 Dec.
We collected signatures to bring the troops home and got people to sign a xmas card for Joe Glenton, the soldier who courageously refuses to fight in Afghanistan and who faces the prospect of up to 10 years in prison.
We also remembered the 100 British soldiers killed this year, together with the many Afghan civilians who have lost their lives in this pointless war, and demanded the Army Show Room be shut down.
We got a very good response.
****************************
Finally....
4) Tony Blair is likely to appear at the Iraq Inquiry in January
and Stop the War's officers are discussing plans for how best
to give him a warm reception.
On 28 January, Gordon Brown's international conference on
Afghanistan, which will be attended by Hamid Karzai, president
of Afghanistan in name but not legitimacy. Stop the War will
of course be organising protests and other events, details of
which will be published soon.
It may not have been called, but the general election campaign
has effectively started, with suggestions the date may be as
early as March. Stop the War intends to ensure that the wars
in Afghanistan and Iraq are central issues in the election.
******************************
Hackney Stop The War sends best wishes to all our members and supporters for the New Year.
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Final push for Bring the Troops Home petition
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1131 15 December 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk ;
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
1) FINAL PUSH FOR BRING THE TROOPS HOME PETITION
2) TONY BLAIR CONFESSES HE'S A WAR CRIMINAL
3) REMEMBER GAZA: ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
4) VIVA PALESTINA AID CONVOY TO GAZA
5) BEATS BEAT BULLETS GAZA SPECIAL
6) SONG FOR GAZA
7) POSTSCRIPT: RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
*********************************
1) FINAL PUSH FOR BRING THE TROOPS HOME PETITION
If you haven't signed Stop the War's Bring the Troops Home
petition, we urge you to do so online now:
http://bit.ly/8jLhRk. You will then be included when military
families and former soldiers deliver the petition to Gordon
Brown in Downing Street on Monday 21 at 5pm.
Military families are coming with their supporters from around
the country and they have asked for the widest support when
they go to Downing Street. If you are able to join them, it
will be very much appreciated.
Please note that if you have been collecting signatures for
petition sheets, these need to arrive at the Stop the War
office by 17 December to be included in Monday's submission to
Gordon Brown.
Many thanks to everyone who has helped us accumulate tens of
thousands of signatures.
MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
BRING THE TROOPS HOME
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER, 5PM
DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL, SW1A 2AA
PLEASE SUPPORT IF YOU CAN
For more information see: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
*********************************
2) TONY BLAIR CONFESSES HE'S A WAR CRIMINAL
Tony Blair's admission in a BBC interview that he would have
made up some other lie other than weapons of mass destruction
to topple Saddam Hussein has raised the stakes considerably
for his appearance at the Iraq Inquiry, probably in January.
As John Rentoul, Blair's biographer and the Independent's
chief political commentator, put it, "Tony Blair's interview
was the front-page lead in The Guardian and prominently
reported in all available outlets, all along the lines
summarised by the Stop the War Coalition press release this
morning: Tony Blair confesses to war crimes."
Stop the War will ensure that Blair gets a very warm reception
at the Iraq Inquiry. We will undoubtedly be joined by many of
the families who lost loved ones because of Blair's war
crimes.
Reg Keys, who stood against Blair in the 2005 general
election, has already said he will be on the Inquiry's
doorstep the day Blair is there. After hearing Blair's latest
justification for his war crimes, Reg gave a withering and
unmissable interview to the BBC about losing his son, who was
killed in Iraq, due to Blair's lies. You can watch the video
here: http://bit.ly/6Gw9h2
*********************************
3) REMEMBER GAZA: ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
On Sunday 27 December, it will be exactly one year since the
start of Israel's attack on Gaza, in which 1,400 Palestinians
were killed, 5,000 injured and 50,000 homes destroyed.
To mark that anniversary and to protest at the continuing
Israeli siege of Gaza, which denies the one million population
of Gaza the basic necessities, there will be a vigil outside
the Israeli Embassy, 3-5pm, High Street Kensington, London W8.
The vigil has been called by Palestine Solidarity Campaign,
Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative and Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament.
REMEMBER GAZA: END THE SIEGE
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2009 3-5PM
HIGH STREET KENSINGTON LONDON W8
(High St Kensington tube station)
*********************************
4) VIVA PALESTINA AID CONVOY TO GAZA
As well as the vigil at the Israeli embassy in London, Sunday
27 December is the day that the Viva Palestine aid convoys
from Britain, the United States and Turkey will enter Gaza,
bringing essential resources to its people that are deniedthem
by the Israeli siege.
The Viva Palestina convoy is getting a tremendous response in
every country it crosses on the way to Gaza. You can follow
its progress on the Viva Palestina website, which has lots of
videos, pictures and reports, and on Twitter.
* Website: http://bit.ly/pPrky
* Twitter: http://twitter.com/viva_palestina
* George Galloway on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/georgegalloway
*********************************
5) BEATS BEAT BULLETS GAZA SPECIAL
On Tuesday 22 December, Start the Music has a Gaza Special in
its series of highly successful Beats Beat Bullets fundraising
gigs for Stop the War.
Another impressive line-up will be performing in memory of the
atrocities committed by Israel and the worldwide protests that
took to the streets in every corner of the world (see Stop the
War's Song of the Week below).
Top of the bill is rapper-poet Lowkey, who made such an impact
on Stop the War's Stop the Massacre demonstration on 10
January 2009 - the biggest protest for Palestine ever held in
Britain - with his "Long Live Palestine - Long Live Gaza" (see
http://bit.ly/Q7jEd).
Joining Lowkey will be Reveal and Shadia Mansour.
BEATS BEAT BULLETS TUE 22 DECEMBER
A GAZA SPECIAL FEATURING:
LOWKEY, REVEAL AND SHADIA MANSOUR
8-11pm at Vibe Live, Vibe Bar Tickets £5
91 - 95 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
See Start the Music website for more details:
http://startthemusic.org.uk/
*********************************
6) SONG FOR GAZA
With the Viva Palestina aid convoy on its way to Gaza, and the
anniversary of Israel's attack approaching, we've chosen Song
for Gaza by Michael Heart as song of the week, which has
become a YouTube phenomenon, with millions of hits and many
people creating their own videos to go with the song.
The video we've used is a moving testament to the worldwide
outpouring of rage against Israel's attack, with pictures of
demonstrations from every corner of the globe. You can watch
the video and hear the song here: http://bit.ly/7YhW1D
Many thanks to everyone sending in suggestions for song of the
week, which have all been excellent and very varied. Keep them
coming. Sometime soon we'll try and have a multiple posting on
the website so we can begin to catch up with the backlog of
suggestions.
*********************************
7) POSTSCRIPT: RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Rage Against the Machine are one of the biggest bands in the
world and they are uncompromisingly anti-war. In 2007, their
lead guitarist Tom Morello did a memorable benefit gig in
London for Stop the War.
An extraordinary internet rebellion has broken out to try and
get Rage Against the Machine's protest track, "Killing in the
Name", as Christmas No.1, in front of the latest X
Factor/Simon Cowell single.
It seems to be working, with nearly one million joining the
Facebook group which started the campaign (see
http://bit.ly/4pwYdT) and downloads of the song putting it
currently ahead of the X Factor song. Simon Cowell is not
pleased! Sales also generate donations to the housing charity
Shelter, which has already receive £30,000 as a result. The
singles chart will be published on 20 December.
SEE THIS VIDEO FOR MORE INFO: http://bit.ly/4vnt7q
Monday 14 December 2009
Military families petition Gordon Brown to bring the troops home
Stop the War Coalition Friday
14 December 2009
Web: www.stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
CONTACT: Andrew Burgin 07939 242 229
Lindsey German 07810 540 584
PRESS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
Military families petition Gordon Brown to bring the troops home.
On Monday 21 December at 5pm military families, who have either lost loved ones
or have relatives serving in Afghanistan, will deliver a petition to Gordon
Brown in Downing Street, calling for all British troops to be withdrawn. They
will be joined by former soldiers.
The military families and former soldiers will hold a press conference an hour
prior to delivering the petition, at 4pm in the Silver Cross, Whitehall, SW1
2BX.
Graham Knight, whose son was killed in Afghanistan, said, "We will hold a vigil
at Downing Street for those who have been killed. We have suffered terrible
personal loss in this war and we don't want any more families to go through the
same pain."
Joan Humphries, whose grandson was killed in August 2009, said, "Everyone knows
now this is a pointless war, deeply unpopular in Britain and Afghanistan. Young
lives are being sacrificed so that politicians can save face."
Lindsey German, Convenor of Stop the War Coalition said, "Tens of thousands of
people from across Britain have signed this petition, and 71% of the population
oppose the war. 100 British soldiers have been killed this year in a senseless
and unwinnable war. Gordon Brown should listen to the families of those who
have lost loved ones in the war and bring the troops home."
For further information, contact:
Andrew Burgin 07939 242 229
Lindsey German 07810 540 584
Monday 7 December 2009
Why have 100 soldiers died in Afghanistan this year?
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1130 07 December 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel:020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
**********************************
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) WHY HAVE 100 SOLDIERS DIED IN AFGHANISTAN THIS YEAR?
2) MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST AT DOWNING STREET
3) MEETING: FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN
4) PICKET AT JOE GLENTON'S COURT HEARING
5) FREE JOE GLENTON T-SHIRT
6) LIVE IN LONDON? COME TO OUR XMAS PARTY
7) SONG OF THE WEEK
**********************************
1) WHY HAVE 100 SOLDIERS DIED IN AFGHANISTAN THIS YEAR
The hundredth British soldier to die in Afghanistan this year
was killed because Gordon Brown refuses to learn the lesson of
history: that the people of Afghanistan never accept
occupation by foreign powers.
He died fighting to support one of the most corrupt
governments in the world, which is dominated by war lords and
drug barons and which has no legitimacy following a
breathtakingly fraudulent election.
Gordon Brown says he died to safeguard Britain against
terrorist attack. But no Afghan has ever attacked Britain or
any other country.
He died, says Brown, to help defeat al-Qaeda. But more British
soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in 2009 than the
total number of al-Qaeda in the country, which the US
government admits is just a few dozen.
By increasing the number of British troops sent to kill and be
killed in Afghanistan to over 10,000, Gordon Brown has
condemned many more soldiers and countless Afghans to die in
this unjustified and unwinnable war.
NAMING THE DEAD VIGILS
To mark the 100th death this year, Stop the War groups across
the country will hold vigils and naming the dead ceremonies,
at which the names of all 100 soldiers killed will be read
out, together with the names of 100 Afghans, to represent the
countless thousands who have died. If you would like to join
an event in your area, please contact the Stop the War office
for details: office@stopwar.org.uk or call
**********************************
2) MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST AT DOWNING STREET
The tragically inevitable death of the 100th soldier to die in
2009 gives even more focus to the military families protest at
Downing Street, 5pm, on Monday 21 December.
The families, who have either lost loved ones in Afghanistan
or have relatives currently serving, together with friends ,
supporters and former soldiers, will deliver to Gordon Brown
Stop the War's Bring the Troops Home petition, numbering tens
of thousands of signatures.
The families have asked for the widest possible support for
their protest. If you live in London, please join them if you
can.
MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST AT DOWNING STREET
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER AT 5PM
DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL, LONDON
For more details: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
BRING THE TROOPS HOME PETITION:
Sign online: http://bit.ly/8jLhRk
Download to print and collect signatures: http://bit.ly/rNaTZ
If you would like to help collect signatures in your area,
please contact the Stop the War office: Email
office@stopwar.org.uk or call
**********************************
3) MEETING: FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN
Paul Flynn MP hosts a Stop the War briefing meeting at the
House of Commons on Wednesday 9 December. The meeting is open
to all and will provide up to date discussion of the
Afghanistan War, following Gordon Brown's troop surge, and an
expert briefing on the Iraq Inquiry.
FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 7PM
HOUSE OF COMMONS
PORTCULLIS HOUSE, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE ROAD
LONDON SW1
Hosted by Paul Flynn MP
Speakers include Sabah Jawad and Sami Ramadani from Iraqi
Democrats Against Occupation and Carol Turner from Stop the
War Coalition.
To download flyer, go to: http://bit.ly/8s0tjh
**********************************
4) PICKET AT JOE GLENTON'S COURT HEARING
Stop the War has called a picket of the court hearing on 16
December, which will decide if Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who
faces court martial for refusing to serve in Afghanistan (SEE
http://bit.ly/2vHCKR), is to be released from prison to spend
Christmas with his family. If you live in London and are able
to attend, your support will be much appreciated.
STOP THE WAR PICKET:
WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER, 9.30AM,
OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
81 CHANCERY LANE, LONDON WC22A 1BQ
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT TO JOE
* Email: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
* Write letters, cards etc to:
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Military Corrective Training Centre
Berechurch Hall Camp
Colchester CO2 9NU
**********************************
6) FREE JOE GLENTON T-SHIRT
Stop the War has produced a Free Joe Glenton t-shirt. Picture,
more information and to order, go to: http://bit.ly/1u7UJF
**********************************
7) LIVE IN LONDON? COME TO OUR XMAS PARTY
Stop the War's Xmas Party on Friday 11 December is open to all
our supporters. Admission is free. This will also be the
launch event for Stop the War's archive, which is being housed
at the Bishopsgate Institute. There will be a showcase
representing Stop the War's campaigns for peace over eight
years, since its founding in 2001.
STOP THE WAR'S XMAS PARTY AND LAUNCH
EXHIBITION OF STOP THE WAR'S ARCHIVE
FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 7-10 PM
BISHOPSGATE INSTITUTE
230 BISHOPSGATE LONDON EC2M 4QH
(Opposite Liverpool Street Station)
**********************************
7) SONG OF THE WEEK
Universal Soldier, written by Buffy Sainte-Marie, performed by
Donovan. To hear, go to: http://bit.ly/6SHteY
Free Joe Glenton Bring the troops home from Afghanistan Close down the Army showroom
Free Joe Glenton
Bring the troops home from Afghanistan
Close down the Army showroom
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton has refused to serve in Afghanistan and led the national Stop the War demonstration in October. He has now been imprisoned for speaking out against the war.
He needs our support for his brave stand.
What better place to protest at his imprisonment than at the Kingsland Shopping Centre where the Army showroom is attempting to disguise the reality of the war.
Come along and help campaign to end the occupation of Afghanistan. Thousands of civilians have been killed and hundreds of British soldiers have lost their lives in a pointless war to defend a corrupt regime. Sending more troops will do nothing but increase the threat of terrorism.
Come and protest. We shall be leafletting, petitioning and asking for support for Joe Glenton.
1.30pm
Saturday 12 December
Kingsland Shopping Centre
Kingsland High Street
(opposite Dalston Kingsland Station)
Sunday 6 December 2009
STOP THE WAR MEETING AT PARLIAMENT WED 9 DEC
STOP THE WAR MEETING AT PARLIAMENT
Paul Flynn MP and Sabah Jawad from Iraqi Democrats Against
Occupation are among the speakers at a Stop the War briefing
meeting on Afghanistan and the Iraq Inquiry at the House of
Commons on Wednesday 9 December.
The meeting is open to all and will provide up to date
discussion of the Afghanistan War, following Gordon Brown's
troop surge, and an expert briefing on the Iraq Inquiry.
STOP THE WAR BRIEFING ON AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ INQUIRY
Hosted by Paul Flynn MP
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 7PM
HOUSE OF COMMONS
PORTCULLIS HOUSE, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE ROAD
LONDON SW1.
Paul Flynn MP and Sabah Jawad from Iraqi Democrats Against
Occupation are among the speakers at a Stop the War briefing
meeting on Afghanistan and the Iraq Inquiry at the House of
Commons on Wednesday 9 December.
The meeting is open to all and will provide up to date
discussion of the Afghanistan War, following Gordon Brown's
troop surge, and an expert briefing on the Iraq Inquiry.
STOP THE WAR BRIEFING ON AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ INQUIRY
Hosted by Paul Flynn MP
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 7PM
HOUSE OF COMMONS
PORTCULLIS HOUSE, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE ROAD
LONDON SW1.
Friday 4 December 2009
Viva Palestina
çThe next Viva Palestina convoy, supported by Stop the War, is going to be a huge international gathering delivering aid to the people of Gaza on 27 December, the anniversary of Israel's barbaric invasion at the turn of 2009.
The Israeli seige of Gaza prevents essential resources reaching Palestinians trapped in the world's most densely populated area. Convoys from Britain, the United States and Turkey, packed with aid donated by the people of those countries, will converge on Gaza to break that seige.
The UK convoy departs on 6 December. For more details and to donate, go to: www.vivapalestina.org
In addition a local Stop the War supporter is joining the convoy....
Dear all
I'm joining the upcoming Viva Palestina convoy. We will be leaving London on 5 December with lorries, minibuses and ambulances full of medical and other supplies and hoping to enter Gaza on 27 December. All our vehicles and equipment, as well as the aid, will be left in Gaza.
There are only 7 days to go, and we urgently need YOUR MONEY! Please please please, consider giving something to help us break the siege and bring urgently-needed medical aid to the people of Gaza.
Everything you can give really will make a difference, so please give extremely generously! And if you're short of dosh, consider asking someone to donate an early Christmas present on your behalf :)
Peace, love and freedom fighting
------------------------
Joti Brar
Tuesday 1 December 2009
The only serious exit strategy for Afghanistan
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1128 30 November 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
**********************************
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) THE ONLY SERIOUS EXIT STRATEGY FOR AFGHANISTAN
2) THE IRAQ INQUIRY CATCH PHRASE: "NOT ME, GUV'"
3) VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY TO GAZA: 5 DECEMBER
4) SUPPORT GROWING FOR MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST
5) THURSDAY 28 JANUARY: DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
6) DON'T FORGET JOE GLENTON
7) XMAS PARTY: FROM BLIAR TO STOP BUSH
8) STOP THE WAR SONG OF THE WEEK
**********************************
1) THE ONLY SERIOUS EXIT STRATEGY FOR AFGHANISTAN
Inevitably the news of yet another British soldier dying in
Afghanistan coincided with Gordon Brown's announcement that he
is sending 500 more British troops to fight in a war which in
the latest poll 71 per cent of the British public opposes.
We are witnessing a very dangerous escalation of the war. With
Barack Obama likely to announce a surge of around 30,000
troops, and other Nato allies adding a further five thousand,
the total number of foreign troops occupying Afghanistan will
equal that deployed by the Soviet Union in the 1979-89 Afghan
war, which ended in its catastrophic defeat.
Gordon Brown's troop surge is a response to failure after
eight years of war. All the various war aims have been shown
to be false. The war has not made Britain safer from
terrorism, but has made it more dangerous. The war is not
being fought for democracy, but to protect one of the most
corrupt governments in the world. The troops are not engaged
in a humanitarian mission, but in a war of occupation opposed
by the majority of Afghans.
Brown and Obama both claim that this dramatic increase in the
number of troops is the beginning of an exit strategy. It is
nothing of the sort. It is the signal that the major powers
are planning to continue a war -- which after Vietnam is the
second longest in American history -- for years to come.
Just as in Vietnam the US claimed that sending more troops was
the key to bringing peace, Obama and Brown are proposing more
war as necessary for their "exit strategy".
There is only one serious exit strategy: that is to recognise
that Britain and the other Nato powers have no right to be in
Afghanistan, and -- far from escalating the numbers -- Gordon
Brown should be withdrawing all British troops now.
**********************************
2) THE IRAQ INQUIRY CATCH PHRASE: "NOT ME, GUV'"
The evidence given to the Iraq Inquiry in its first week saw a
series of establishment figures trying to absolve themselves
of any blame for their part in the build up to war, implying
all responsibility lay with Tony Blair.
It appears that Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney General who
notoriously changed his advice about the legality of the war
just days before the invasion, is getting his "not me, guv'"
in early -- even before he appears at the inquiry. The details
of a letter he wrote to Blair eight months before the
invasion, in which he stated categorically that the war was
illegal, were revealed over the weekend. You can read the
details here: http://bit.ly/6Tk6w7
Apparently Gordon Brown is worried that in the run up to the
general election all these revelations about Iraq will remind
people of why they opposed the war in the first place.
Stop the War is taking every opportunity to ensure that the
issues remain in the public eye -- not least the key question
of holding the war criminals to account.
Stop the War held a protest on the first day of the Chilcot
inquiry, which received worldwide media coverage. (See
http://bit.ly/5IYYCK). We will announce soon a major public
meeting on the issue.
And we await with much anticipation the appearance of Tony
Blair before the Iraq Inquiry -- likely to be in January or
February -- when we will organise a large scale protest to
ensure he is warmly welcomed.
**********************************
3) VIVA PALESTINA THIS WEEKEND
On 27 December, the anniversary of Israel's barbaric invasion
at the turn of 2009, convoys from Britain, the United States
and Turkey, packed with aid donated by the people of those
countries, will converge on Gaza to break the inhuman siege
which prevents essential resources reaching Palestinians in
the world's most densely populated area.
The British convoy leaves London this weekend. Details of the
departure place and time will be available shortly on the Viva
Palestina website: http://www.vivapalestina.org/
**********************************
4) SUPPORT GROWING FOR MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST
Support is continuing to build for the Military Families
Against the War protest at Downing Street at 5pm on Monday 21
December.
As well as many families who have lost loved ones in Iraq and
Afghanistan, or have relatives serving in the Afghan war,
there will be a number of former soldiers joining the protest,
when the Bring the Troops Home petition will be handed in to
Downing Street.
The military families also plan to demand to see Gordon Brown.
All the local Stop the War groups across the country have been
asked to sponsor military families in their area to come down
to the Downing Street protest and to send delegations in
support.
The families are asking for the widest support possible.
Please help publicise the event as widely as you can.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
**********************************
5) THURSDAY 28 JANUARY: DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Gordon Brown has announced that he is organising an
international conference on Afghanistan in London on Thursday
28 January 2010.
As well as organising a protest at Brown's conference, Stop
the War will in response hold its own alternative meetings and
conference. Please note the date now. We will publicise
further details soon.
**********************************
6) DON'T FORGET JOE GLENTON
Send messages of support to Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, in
prison for speaking out against the Afghan war and facing
court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan.
* Email messages of support to: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
* Write letters, cards to:
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Military Corrective Training Centre
Berechurch Hall Camp
Colchester CO2 9NU
**********************************
7) XMAS PARTY: FROM BLIAR TO STOP BUSH
If you live in London, Stop the War's Xmas party on Friday 11
December is not to be missed. As well as food, drinks and
music, the party takes place surrounded by a showcase of Stop
the War's history, drawn from our archive which is now housed
at the Bishopsgate Institute.
The displays will include many of the posters and placards
going back to our earliest demonstrations, including the now
iconic designs by artist David Gentleman, leaflets, pamphlets,
press cutting, photographs etc.
Admission is free.
STOP THE WAR'S XMAS PARTY
FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 7-10 PM
BISHOPSGATE INSTITUTE
230 BISHOPSGATE LONDON EC2M 4QH
(Opposite Liverpool Street Station)
**********************************
8) STOP THE WAR SONG OF THE WEEK
Our song of the week is I Come And Stand At Every Door by This
Mortal Coil. The song puts to music the English translation of
a poem by Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet, which is a plea for peace
from a seven-year-old girl who has perished in the atomic bomb
attack at Hiroshima.
HEAR SONG OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/6gufI1
Israel the Palestinians and apartheid - central London meeting Friday 4 December
Israel, the Palestinians and apartheid
There will be a major event on the issue of boycott, disinvestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel in SOAS, University of London, Malet St, on Friday 4 December at 7pm.
The lecturers' union UCU is hosting an international conference on BDS and the London event is a "spin off" with many of the key note speakers from the UCU conference.
Monday 23 November 2009
What now? Secret Government reports prove Tony Blair lied
Leaked secret Government reports show that hiding Tony Blair's lies meant some troops were sent to Iraq with only five bullets each. The supply chain was such a farce that one container was sent full of skis to use in the desert. Some troops who were deployed to Iraq by civilian airlines took their equipment as hand luggage and had their weapons confiscated by airport security.
By Robin Beste
Stop the War Coalition
22 November 2009
The price paid for Tony Blair's lies.
By Robin Beste
Stop the War Coalition
22 November 2009
The Iraq inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot, begins its public hearings on Tuesday 24 November. Whether it turns out to be the whitewash clearly intended by Gordon Brown’s choice of the inquiry's committee members will be determined by how it deals with the latest revelations of secret Government reports, leaked to the Telegraph.
The price paid for Tony Blair's lies.
The reports show beyond dispute that Tony Blair had decided as early as February 2002 that Britain would join George Bush in waging an illegal war on Iraq, which began a year later in March 2003.
Despite this decision having been taken, throughout 2002 and up to the invasion, Blair lied repeatedly to MPs and the public, claiming that Britain’s objective was "disarmament, not regime change" and that there had been no planning for military action.
Because the lies had to be concealed from Parliament, only a tiny number of officials were involved in the planning process for war.
The result, say the Government reports, was a "rushed operation" "lacking in coherence and resources" which caused "significant risk" to troops.
Operations were so under-resourced that some troops went into action with only five bullets each. Others had to deploy to war on civilian airlines, taking their equipment as hand luggage. Some troops had weapons confiscated by airport security.
Skis in the desert
One army commander described the supply chain as "absolutely appalling", saying: "I know for a fact that there was one container full of skis in the desert."
The reports describe the war itself as a "significant military success" but only because the British forces faced a "third-rate army," adding that "a more capable enemy would probably have punished these shortcomings severely."
It was Blair’s lies and concealment that explain the almost complete absence of contingency planning once the military operations were completed. British forces were so "ill-prepared and equipped to deal with the problems in the first 100 days" that they could not safeguard Iraqi civilians.
Military commanders are expected to tell the inquiry that this was because preparations were sabotaged by Blair's government in its attempts to mislead the public. They believe members of the British and US governments at the time could be prosecuted for war crimes, for breaching the duty of occupying armies, as stated in the Geneva convention, to safeguard civilians in a conflict.These secret Government reports show why Gordon Brown initially intended that the Iraq Inquiry should be held in private.
When he was forced by public uproar to make the inquiry public -- albeit with the inquiry chairman’s discretion as to how much -- Brown then chose a committee for the inquiry which was clearly aimed at exonerating the warmongers. On the evidence of these leaked reports, Tony Blair is incriminated in war crimes that have left hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and 179 British soldiers dead.
Sir John Chilcot was apparently shocked by the unanimity of the military families who lost loved ones in the the Iraq war and who, in giving evidence to the inquiry, insisted there should be no "whitewash" and that if the accusation of war crimes is proven then Tony Blair must be held to account, as must others in the government at the time who knew the scale of the lying Blair was using to justify an illegal war.
That said, Stop the War is not holding its breath as to the outcome the inquiry.
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Bring them home by Christmas
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1126 17 November 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) BRING THEM HOME BY CHRISTMAS
2) PROTESTS, VIGILS WHEN 100th SOLDIER KILLED IN 2009
3) BRING THE TROOPS HOME POSTCARD
4) CALLING ALL STUDENTS IN LONDON
5) MILITARY FAMILIES GO TO DOWNING STREET
6) DEFEND L/CPL JOE GLENTON - LET SOLDIERS SPEAK
7) STOP THE WAR AT CHRISTMAS
*******************************
1) BRING THEM HOME BY CHRISTMAS
It is a sign of the strength of anti war opinion in Britain
that Gordon Brown has been forced to say that he is thinking
about an 'exit strategy' from Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, instead of announcing a date for withdrawal of
British troops -- in line with majority public opinion in this
country - his vague remarks smack more of a pre election
manoeuvre than of a serious change in policy.
Brown's speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet last night reflects
the political divisions in the US and Britain over the war,
and the realisation that the antiwar movement is growing as
calls increase for the troops to come home. Brown's claim that
the war is helping to defeat al Qaeda is also disingenuous.
The killings of al Qaeda leaders have been carried out by the
CIA in Pakistan. They are not the result of the war in
Afghanistan.
We are almost at the tragic figure of 100 British soldiers
killed in Afghanistan in this year alone. Thousands of Afghans
have died. The only commitment worth anything from Gordon
Brown is to get the troops out by Christmas.
*******************************
2) PROTESTS, VIGILS WHEN 100th SOLDIER KILLED IN 2009
Local groups of the Stop the War Coalition are organising
protests, vigils and namings of the dead on the day that the
100th soldier this year dies. The figure currently stands at
97. Check the website for your local contacts.
*******************************
3) BRING THE TROOPS HOME POSTCARD
Stop the War has produced Bring the Troops Home postcards for
sending to your local MP. To order call 020 7801 2768.
*******************************
4) CALLING ALL STUDENTS IN LONDON
Students across London are organising a DIE-IN protest
calling for the troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan at
Parliament Square on Wednesday 25 November at 1.30pm. For
more details contact Stewart: stewart@stopwar.org.uk or call
020 7801 2768.
*******************************
5) MILITARY FAMILIES GO TO DOWNING STREET
Military families and veterans are going to Downing Street at
5pm on Monday 21 December to demand to see Gordon Brown and
hand in the Bring the Troops Home petition. They would like to
see as many people as possible join them to show support.
Two family members who have lost loved ones in the war have
asked us to send out this invitation to all Stop the War
supporters.
MESSAGE FROM GRAEME KNIGHT AND JOAN HUMPHRIES
Graeme Knight is the father of Sergeant Ben Knight who died in
Afghanistan in 2004 Joan Humphries is the grandmother of
Private Kevin Elliott who died on foot patrol in Afghanistan
2009.
"We have suffered terrible personal loss in this war in
Afghanistan and we don't want one more family to go through
the same pain. Everyone knows now this is a pointless war,
deeply unpopular in Britain and Afghanistan. Young lives are
being sacrificed so that politicians can save face.
"Britain is slavishly supporting the US just to keep up the
so-called special relationship. Meanwhile the death toll is
mounting. It is high time the troops came home.
"We are going to Downing Street with other Families who have
loved ones or have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and ex
soldiers on Monday 21 December. We will be demanding to see
Gordon Brown and give him a petition signed by tens of
thousands calling for the troops to be brought home . Candles
will be lit for those who have died.
"Please join us at Downing Street if you can and publicise 21
December as widely as possible."
*******************************
6) DEFEND L/CPL JOE GLENTON - LET SOLDIERS SPEAK
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton who is currently in prison for
speaking out against the war in Afghanistan faces a hearing
tomorrow morning at 10pm. Join the protest to support him 9.45
am, The Official Solicitors' Office, 81 Chancery Lane WC2A 1DD
Messages of support for Joe are pouring in. You can see a
selection here: http://bit.ly/7AhDN
Send your message to: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
*******************************
7) STOP THE WAR AT CHRISTMAS
Stop the war is offering some Christmas gift ideas to help
fund the campaign to get the troops home. We have Afghan
slipper socks for only £9 plus postage and packing. Plus a
special offer of the illustrated history of the Stop the War
Coalition for just £5 plus postage.
To order and see all Stop the War merchandise, go to:
http://bit.ly/1u7UJF
Saturday 14 November 2009
Dear L/Cpl Joe Glenton, you are an inspiration to us all
Messages of support are pouring in for Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who has been arrested for refusing to return to Afghanistan, leading an anti-war demonstration in London on 24 October 2009 and speaking to the media in defiance of orders. The charges carry a maximum of ten years imprisonment.
14 November 2009
Write: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB • FAX: 020 7218 6538
Petition: Download the Defend Joe Glenton petition...
Messages of Support: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
14 November 2009
Send your message of support to defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
Selection of messages of support for Joe Glenton
Malalai Joya, Afghan MP, often called "the bravest women in Afghanistan": Dear Joe, Stay strong! The majority of the Afghan people are with you and we respect and admire the stand you have taken. When there is no justice, it is better for honest people to go even to jail rather than go to war. Down with the occupation. I send you my warmest greetings and solidarity.
Caroline Lucas MEP, leader of the Green Party: Dear Lance Corporal Glenton, I would like to express my admiration for your decision to take a courageous and principled stand against the war in Afghanistan. You have the support of the many people in the UK and abroad who passionately oppose this ongoing conflict, which increasingly appears unwinnable. I hope your heroic resistance to the reckless and misguided foreign policy played out in Afghanistan will increase the pressure on the UK Government to accelerate an exit strategy and withdraw our troops.
12 November 2009: Demonstration in support of Joe Glenton, Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London
Gareth Hill: Only one in 5 people in this country believe that the war in Afghanistan is just and is about defending our freedom and successfully protecting us from terrorism. Your moral stand against the war is both heroic and reflects the views of our entire country.
Dr Douglas Reid: Chin up, Joe! Good for you! You are one of a long line of British people who have followed their consciences and sooner or later changed government policy.
Joe Jenkins: There are literally millions of people who approve of what you are doing. The military-industrial complex will try all it can to dishearten you and dishonour what you’re trying to achieve. Your courageous action is an inspiration.
B. Ormondroyd: Full support for Joe. l served in the RAF - to defend Britain, not to invade other countries on questionable grounds.
Lisa Anning: I've the utmost admiration for the stand you're taking, and for the part you're playing in galvanising public opinion against this awful war. I come from a military family myself, and can fully understand the gravity of your decision to defy orders. But I believe there's a huge latent groundswell of public opinion in this country against endlessly continuing this futile campaign, which is wrecking so many families and taking so many young lives. We need figureheads like yourself to act as a public focus for that opposition, to help mobilise and articulate protest to the powers that be. I wish you every success, and hope common sense will prevail. Your efforts aren't in vain and you should be proud of what you've achieved.
Kay: I and everyone I know, plus the majority of the country, support you and your decision not to risk your life by returning to the futile, pointless and horrific war in Afghanistan. We all admire your courage and your principles. If only other young soldiers took your stand, this war would come to an end and there would be no more wasted young lives. Why shouldn't you speak out and follow your principles? Good luck to you! I shall be following your progress and if there are any protest meetings I'll do my best to get there.
Peter Waterman: I had to do my compulsory military service some 50 years ago. Because of my left political background (of which I made no secret) I was confined to the rank of private and the function of truck-driving. Fortunately I was not required to take part in any war being waged by British military and political elites against any 'disobedient natives' or 'evil empires'. If I had been, I am not sure I would have had the courage you have shown. In the conflict between duty and truth, you have chosen the right one: truth trumps obedience or we are on our way to 1984. It may be a long and lonely struggle, mate. But my guess is that a lot of good people are going to support you.
Sharmila Sengupta and Ela Sengupta: We support you,with all our hearts. We want to do all we possibly can for you. You are a true soldier,one who fights for peace and justice. Try and hang in there. It must be hard,awfully hard, but you will come out the other side. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Robin Carvell: You've stood up when so many others have not. Your actions are admirable and I believe you are a soldier in the truest sence as you are fighting now, without a gun, in order to bring peace and safety. Your involvement in the information war is of great value. I support you in your actions and want you to know that many others do too. Please remember this if times get hard. You're grasping the nettle for all of us here and those in Iraq and Afganistan - for millions. If there's a heaven, this action would surely let you in.
Dr. Beata Binkowska: I'm fully supporting your fight against the war and your rights to refuse to be forced to go to war in Afghanistan! I also appealed to some of my colleagues in Gateng Health Department to support your plea! Here in Africa,now, we also urgently need to create awareness campaign against war criminals who benefit from selling death all over the world and create never ending areas of conflict and killing fields! This mass murder called war, must stop! With my great respect for your courage and determination.
Anne & Richard Watson: We think it is appalling that you have been arrested simply for telling the truth and refusing to fight in Afghanistan. This is an absolute travesty of democracy and we are protesting to the Ministry of Defence and anyone else we can think of. We heard you speak at Trafalgar Square and consider you to be a very brave man. If only there were more like you. Stay strong.
Stephen Watson: Years ago I read a quote which said "War will end only when men refuse to fight" and it has always remained with me. I admire your decision enormously and I wish you the very best in helping our government, and others, to see sense where there seem to be none at present. I believe that the invasion of Iraq was cooked up under a false pretext, as was Afghanistan and it is clear with all the talk around Iran and their 'nuclear programme' (despite no evidence) is sounding eerily familiar. The world is hurting enough from the way we currently live our lives and the one thing humanity does not need are more wars to pile on the agony.
Ghada Razuki: I heard you speak on the demo on the 24th October and thought that you were brilliant. It takes a brave person to speak out and go against the main stream but I want you to know that there are many people like me who really appreciate the sacrifice that you have made so that hopefully others do not have to die or be brutally injured whether British Soldiers or Afghanis. If sometimes you feel alone in your cell please don't as we are all thinking of you and Clare.
Ghazala: I would just like to express my admiration to you for making a stand against the war. Keep up the good work, you truly are a man of bravery. I shall hope and pray for your wellbeing.
Andree Duguy: I admire you for standing for what you believe is right regardless of the consequences. I fully support your actions and wish that more sloldiers felt like you. Blair and Brown are criminals and should be tried for their crimes. They should be the ones to go to prison and not you. How can Brown and the likes of him still support a war which cannot be won and is unjust. soldiers as well as civilians die everyday for no reason so that supposedly we in Britain feel more secure . How can we be so arrogant and attack a country which has done nothing to us.
Gerry Poole, co-chair Merseyside CND: Well done Joe, a soldier has the right to speak out against actions which he finds repugnant and not glibly obey orders. At Nuremberg the Nazis stated they were only obeying orders when charged with war crimes, but they were still sentenced.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your other comrades who are opposed to this debacle in Afghanistan.
Kev White: It's a lot eaisier to go with the flow than what it is to do the right thing. Total respect to yourself, Ben Griffin, and others who have had the courage to say no. Anything I can do to help, let me know.
Annette Lillig: I salute you for your courage to do what many would like to do. That's why they prosecute you, but others will follow you. One day you'll be a national hero, so, chin up! This mess will not go on for ever. With love and prayers.
Richard Jones & Kath Eilbeck: Take heart - you have spoken out for all of us. Let us know what we can do to help.
Alun Llewelyn: I was on the Stop the War march last month and I was proud the be led by a soldier that is prepared to stand up and say what I believe many of the troops in Afghanistan and in Britain think. It is the only way this government will be forced to abandon their role in that country if the soldiers will support your brave stance.
Fabrizio: I would just like to express my admiration for your courage to stand up against the government and all its institutions. In my opinion speaking out at a time like this despite all opposition is truly a courageous act standing up for justice which few, in the view of being singled out, are able to do. I think that your opposition to the occupation of afghanistan has won the anti war movement many supporters who were before either easily manipulated by the government and the media or just afraid of stepping out from the flock. Your opposition to war is a giant step towards ending these wars of aggression and ultimately, for democracy.
Hasina Khan: You are a true hero for standing up for what you and we believe in and you are much cherished by all those who oppose brutality and wish for peace, justice and equality. Peace and respect.
Eric Westacott, Ret. Lance Corp. 43/1st Swiss Army Medical Corp: Joe, myself and my family send you our full support in what actions you are taking. It is a crime what the military and governemnt is doing to you and your fellow soldiers. One day soon you will be free again, until then try to stay calm and relaxed and find ways to fill your time with good thoughts also towards those who make you suffer. Imagine yourself free and walking away and you will very soon.
Paula Clare Yates: You are a great inspiration to everyone for protesting and speaking out against the futile war in Afganistan which most people now believe is increasing terrorism.
David McQueen: I'm really sorry to hear about your arrest. The best way we can honour our dead is to not fight any more wars, especially unwinnable wars. Like the US soldiers who protested against Vietnam you are being punished for speaking the truth, but like them your struggle will be remembered as the most courageous stand in the face of a military machine that can't understand that it will never conquer Afghanistan.
Dan Viesnik: I just wanted to express to you, Joe, my admiration for your incredibly brave stand against the war in Afghanistan and the establishment and to wish you all the very best. I think it is fair to say that peace activists all around the world are with you all the way.
How to support Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Email: Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth: defencesecretary@mod.uk or ainsworthr@parliament.ukWrite: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB • FAX: 020 7218 6538
Petition: Download the Defend Joe Glenton petition...
Messages of Support: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Anti-war soldier arrested: Protest now
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1125 11 November 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) ANTI-WAR SOLDIER ARRESTED: PROTEST NOW
2) MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
*******************************
EMERGENCY PROTEST AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEFEND LANCE CORPORAL JOE GLENTON
THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER, 5PM
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, WHITEHALL
(OPPOSITE DOWNING STREET)
Facebook Event - Please circulate: http://bit.ly/2h9IOf
*******************************
1) ANTI-WAR SOLDIER ARRESTED: PROTEST NOW
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, the soldier who faces desertion
charges for refusing to return to Afghanistan, has been
arrested and charged with five further offences for leading
Stop the War's demonstration in London on 24 October and for
expressing his opposition to the media in defiance of orders.
The new charges carry a maximum of ten years imprisonment in
addition to the sentence of three to four years that Joe could
get if the desertion charge is upheld.
Joe's mother, Sue Glenton, has spoken out against his arrest:
"You've got government ministers, army commanders and MPs
speaking every day in support of the war. What's so scary
about a Lance Corporal having his say? My son is only speaking
out for what he thinks is right."
Joe's arrest and imprisonment are signs of panic by the
government and military commanders, faced with an ever growing
majority of the British public opposing the war and an
increasing number of prominent voices in the media calling for
the withdrawal of British troops.
A poll published in the Independent shows that only one in
five voters believes that Britain's military presence in
Afghanistan is helping to protect the country from terrorism,
as Gordon Brown insists. The same poll shows that 48 percent
of voters think the war in Afghanistan increases the risk of
domestic terrorist attack.
Stop the War has launched a campaign to defend Joe Glenton and
his right to freedom of speech. (For updates see
http://www.stopwar.org.uk.)
A protest has been called outside the Ministry of Defence in
Whitehall on Thursday 12 November at 5pm and we list below
what you can do to support the only serving soldier who has so
far had the courage to stand up for what many in the army
believe; that this is a futile and unwinnable war.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* EMERGENCY PROTEST AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
If you live in London, please try to join the protest on
Thursday 12 November, 5pm, at the Ministry of Defence,
Whitehall (opposite Downing Street)
FACEBOOK EVENT (Please circulate): http://bit.ly/2h9IOf
* WRITE TO DEFENCE SECRETARY BOB AINSWORTH
EMAIL: defencesecretary@mod.uk or ainsworthr@parliament.uk
WRITE: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building,
Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB
FAX: 020 7218 6538
* COLLECT PETITION SIGNATURES
The Defend Joe Glenton petition can be downloaded here:
http://bit.ly/10gDKb
* WRITE LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO JOE GLENTON
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC)
Berechurch Hall Camp
Colchester
Essex CO2 9NU
* EMAIL SUPPORT
defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
*******************************
2) MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
On 21 December, Stop the War's Bring the Troops Home Now
petition will be delivered to Gordon Brown at Downing Street
by soldiers, ex-soldiers and military families.
More than 15,000 have already signed, but we want to get many
more signatures
before 21 December. You can sign online but we are also
encouraging our supporters to download the petition and
collect signatures among friends, work colleagues, fellow
students, neighbours etc.
If you live in London, make a note of 21 December, as the
soldiers, ex-soldiers and military families would welcome the
widest support from the anti-war movement when they deliver
the petition to Gordon Brown. (More details to follow soon.)
Monday 9 November 2009
Action stations over Afghanistan
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1124 09 November 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
The war effort in Afghanistan is starting to fall apart at the
seams. We will shortly reach the hundredth British soldier's
death this year, and there is talk in military circles of
withdrawing British troops from the frontline.
There is growing opposition amongst MPs as well as unease
amongst senior military figures. The Independent on Sunday
called for the end of the war on its front page yesterday and
other papers are becoming very critical of the war.
Most important of all, 73% of the population now believe the
troops should be brought home soon and there is growing
opposition to the war amongst the troops.
Now is the time to step up the pressure on government to bring
the troops home.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
-We have produced a 'Bring the Troops Home' postcard designed
to send to your local MP. It is available from the office.
Please phone if you want us to send you some.
-Stop the War groups will be organising protests and vigils
around the country on the tragic day when the hundredth
British soldier this year dies. The figure now stands at 95.
Please contact your local Stop the War group for details. You
can find the contact details for the groups on the website.
-On December 21st, members of soldiers, ex-soldiers and
military families will be taking our Bring the Troops Home
Petition to Gordon Brown in Downing Street. More than 15,000
have already signed, but we want to get many more signatures
before December 21st. You can sign online at
http://bit.ly/ft6BP, but we are also asking everyone to
download a hard copy of the petition, get your colleagues and
friends to sign and return to the office.
Also mark down the date December 21st, and get ready to come
down and support the families at Downing Street that evening.
SPECIAL LONDON ACTIVIST MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN
We have called an urgent activist meeting to discuss the
crisis and the campaign tomorrow night (Tuesday 10th
November). We are asking as many of our supporters as possible
to attend.
SPECIAL MEETING
6PM TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER
INDIAN YMCA, 41 FITZROY SQUARE W1T 6AQ
NEAREST TUBE WARREN STREET.
Sunday 8 November 2009
To most of the world, we are the terrorists
WARNING: This video contains disturbing images
They're not establishing democracy, they're establishing the basis for an economic occupation which will continue after the military occupation is ended.
Dr Dahlia Wasfi is an American doctor who campaigns for the the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of American troops and mercenaries from Iraq.
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Five more soldiers die in an unwinnable war
from Stop The War Coalition:
On 4 November, five soldiers were killed by one or more Afghan policemen. 229 soldiers have now died since the 2001 invasion, 92 of them this year. Gordon Brown insists, "They fought to make Afghanistan more secure, but above all to make Britain safer from the terrorism and extremism which continues to threaten us." The truth is, they are dying in an unwinnable war which has no other purpose than to save the reputation of politicians like Brown, who slavishly follow the dictates of US foreign policy, even when it's obvious that the world's second poorest country is no threat whatever to British interests. The blood of these five soldiers is on the hands of Gordon Brown. How many more British soldiers and Afghan civilians will die before he is forced to accept the inevitable and bring all the troops home?
On 4 November, five soldiers were killed by one or more Afghan policemen. 229 soldiers have now died since the 2001 invasion, 92 of them this year. Gordon Brown insists, "They fought to make Afghanistan more secure, but above all to make Britain safer from the terrorism and extremism which continues to threaten us." The truth is, they are dying in an unwinnable war which has no other purpose than to save the reputation of politicians like Brown, who slavishly follow the dictates of US foreign policy, even when it's obvious that the world's second poorest country is no threat whatever to British interests. The blood of these five soldiers is on the hands of Gordon Brown. How many more British soldiers and Afghan civilians will die before he is forced to accept the inevitable and bring all the troops home?
Responding to the Afghan election farce
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) RESPONDING TO THE AFGHAN ELECTION FARCE
2) LONDON STOP THE WAR ACTIVISTS' MEETING
***************************
1) RESPONDING TO THE AFGHAN ELECTION FARCE
NATO's operation in Afghanistan has descended into farce.
Gordon Brown and Barack Obama have both congratulated Hamid
Karzai - a man they installed as Afghanistan's ruler in the
first place - for winning an election they themselves have
condemned as corrupt.
The result of this charade will be to further weaken support
for the war here. The fact that there are now establishment
voices arguing the war is pointless also strengthens the hand
of those of us who want to bring the troops home altogether.
Following the excellent Bring The Troops Home demonstration
ten days ago we need to use the weeks up to Christmas to put
maximum pressure on the government.
We are asking all our supporters to do as many of the
following as possible:
- PETITION:
Get everyone you know to sign the Bring the Troops Home
petition. We plan to hand it in very publicly to Gordon Brown
in December, so we need the maximum possible number of
signatures by then. You can sign it online
(http://bit.ly/ft6BP) or download a copy (http://bit.ly/rNaTZ)
and take it round your workmates, neighbours, friends etc.
- LOBBY YOUR MP:
Lobby your MP and demand he or she does everything possible to
end the occupation. Send a Bring the Troops Home postcard
(available from the office) to your MP.
- ANNIVERSARY OF AFGHAN "LIBERATION":
Join local protests on Bring the Troops Home day Friday 13th
November - the anniversary of the so-called liberation of
Afghanistan.
- MILITARY FAMILIES:
If you have family connections with the military or know
anyone who does and is against the war, please contact the
Stop the War office. More and more military families are
getting in touch. As Michael Clarke, Director of the Royal
United Services Institute is quoted as saying in Today's
Guardian 'The cynicism that eventually corroded the morale of
US forces in Vietnam is a spectre that is beginning to haunt
the whole Afghanistan enterprise'.
5) DONATE:
Donate to the Bring the Troops Home appeal. In order to
maintain a high profile campaign, the Stop the War Coalition
we need money, for leaflets and postcards, for office and
transport costs.
HOW TO DONATE:
* Online: http://bit.ly/APlKX ;
* By credit / debit card: Phone 020 7801 2768
* By cheque: Made out to 'Stop the War Coalition' and sent to:
Stop the War Coalition
231 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 1EH
***************************
2) LONDON ACTIVISTS' MEETING: OPEN ALL
If you are based in or near London, a Stop the War activists
meeting has been organised for Tuesday 10 November at the
Indian YMCA 41, Fitzroy Square London W1T 6AQ. Nearest tube
Warren Street.
The meeting will give us a chance to assess the situation in
Afghanistan, brainstorm about the campaign to bring the troops
home and protest ideas in the run up to Christmas and to
exchange ideas about strengthening the local groups. We are
keen to make sure we get newer activists along to the meeting
to get them fully involved.
For more details, see: http://bit.ly/1rMvCE
Monday 2 November 2009
Friday 23 October 2009
Afghanistan demonstration update, BNP, etc
Watch this and know why we demonstrate on 24 October
This two-minute video shows what a futile and unjustified war means for the Afghan people and gives yet another reason why we're demonstrating on 24 October. The US army predictably claimed that the civilians died because the occupying forces came under Taliban attack. Afghan witnesses and grieving relatives say this is a lie.
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1120 22 October 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk ;
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) FRIDAY IS LONDON TUBES DAY
2) SPEAKERS AT DEMONSTRATION RALLY
3) WAR CRIMINAL STRAW FACES "ANTI-WAR" FASCIST
4) IMPORTANT: MARBLE ARCH TUBE STATION
5) ROBB JOHNSON'S AFGHANISTAN WAR SONG
6) KEEP WEAPONS OF MASS COMMUNICATION GOING
7) LONDON STOP THE WAR GROUPS' CONTACT DETAILS
******************************
1) FRIDAY IS LONDON TUBES DAY
The campaign tempo for Saturday's Bring the Troops Home
demonstration has been raised dramatically this week. So many
leaflets have been distributed, particularly in London, that
the office ran out and had to do an urgent re-order.
This was particularly important because Stop the War has
designated Friday 23 October as London tube station day, when
we've asked our local groups to leaflet as many tubes stations
as possible.
We have listed at the end of this newsletter all London
groups, together with contact names and telephone numbers. If
you have any time at all to help leaflet the tubes, please
contact your local group for details of when and where this is
taking place.
******************************
2) SPEAKERS AT DEMONSTRATION RALLY
There is a varied list of speakers at the demonstration rally,
who will make contributions in a range of formats. Speakers
include:
* Serving soldier JOE GLENTON, facing court martial for
refusing to return to Afghanistan;
* Ex-soldier PAUL MCGURK, who left the army last month because
he refused to continue fighting an unjustified war in
Afghanistan;
* A number of relatives from military families, including
PETER BRIERLEY, who famously refused to shake Tony Blair's
hand because it "has my son's blood on it";
* TARIQ ALI, GEORGE GALLOWAY MP and ANDREJ HUNKO MP from the
German Die Linke party
* Musicians ROBB JOHNSON (see below), LOWKEY and the KING
BLUES;
* Actors BILL PATERSON, KIKA MARKHAM and CORIN REDGRAVE, who
will do readings and Naming the Dead commemorations.
CHECK THE STOP THE WAR WEBSITE FOR DEMONSTRATION UPDATES:
http://stopwar.org.uk
Assemble 12 noon Hyde Park: March to Trafalgar Square
Called by Stop the War Coalition, CND and BMI
The march will be lead by anti-war soldiers, ex-soldiers and
military families
******************************
3) WAR CRIMINAL STRAW FACES "ANTI-WAR" FASCIST
If there were any accountability for the Iraq war, Jack Straw
- who was British foreign secretary at the time - would be
indicted for war crimes. (See http://bit.ly/RmX66)
On the BBC's Question Time programme, Straw will debate with
Nick Griffin, leader of the fascist British National Party,
which opposes both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
No doubt Nick Griffin will have a field day highlighting Jack
Straw's war crimes, but whatever the BNP says about Iraq and
Afghanistan, it is not an anti-war party. It is a fascist
organisation and its policies can only be carried through by a
civil war against ethnic minorities and all those it regards
as inferior.
Stop the War supports the campaigns which reveal the true
nature of the BNP and which mobilise opposition to its fascist
policies. Many of Stop the War's supporters will join the
protest on Thursday 22 October against the BBC's decison to
invite a fascist party to participate in its Question Time
programme.
FOR STOP THE WAR'S STATEMENT ON THE BNP, SEE:
http://bit.ly/6X2EI
******************************
4) IMPORTANT: MARBLE ARCH TUBE STATION
Marble Arch Station, which is the nearest to the demonstration
assembly point in Hyde Park, is closed all day Saturday.
Please use Lancaster Gate, Bond Street or Hyde Park Corner
tube stations.
******************************
5) ROBB JOHNSON'S AFGHANISTAN WAR SONG
Renowned songwriter Robb Johnson will be appearing at the
demonstration rally on Saturday. Stop the War has made his new
song North West Frontier -- which is about the Afghanistan war
-- our song of the week. You can hear it on the Stop the War
website: http://bit.ly/116gTa
******************************
6) KEEP WEAPONS OF MASS COMMUNICATION GOING
Another British soldier was killed today in Afghanistan,
highlighting yet again the importance of Saturday's
demonstration. Please do all you can to spread the word in the
last couple of days, not forgetting the weapons of mass
communication to everyone you know: emails, texts, tweets,
Facebook, etc.
******************************
7) LONDON STOP THE WAR GROUPS CONTACT DETAILS
Live in London? Get involved with your local Stop the War
Group. Help leaflet the tube stations on Friday 22 October.
Find your local group below:
NORTH
* Bloomsbury, Isobel McMillan, 07951 199 672
* Brent, Sarah Cox 07951 084 101
* Camden, Liz Wheatley 07525 846 520
* Haringey, Simon Hester 0773 606 4045
* Wembley, Hind 07944 267 272
* Islington, Shirley Franklin 07958 745 802
SOUTH
* Southwark, Laura Harvey 07976 911 887
* East Dulwich, Nicola Fields 07790 330 142
* Croydon Dima, 07917 475 748
* Lambeth, Chris Blake 07766 601 777
* Lewisham, Michael Coulsten 07753 185 732
* Wandsworth, John Clossick 020 7223 3483
* Tooting (Wandsworth) Dave Esbester, 0208 646 5545, 07913 468
659
* Putney (Wandsworth) Pat Shearin 07931 679 459
EAST
* Tower Hamlets, Jo Gough 07730 612 105
* Newham, Andy Brown 07736 812 366
* Waltham Forest, Carole Vincent 07982 875 032
* Hackney, Despina 07932 714 833
WEST
* Wimbledon James 07926 742 907
* Richmond Sam Oxby, 07960 770 835
* Kingston, Noel, 0208 395 2656
* Twickenham, John Whits. 07812 348 845
* Acton/Ealing, Iqbal 07773 577 461
* Hounslow, Richard 07774 936 556
* Ladbroke Grove, Giavanni
* Hammersmith, Victoria 07887 943 194
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