Afghanistan day of protest: 27 march‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER No. 1146  
22 March 2010 
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER  
1) AFGHANISTAN DAY OF PROTEST: 27 MARCH  
2) JOE GLENTON DEFENCE CAMPAIGN  
3) PALESTINE PROTEST AT MAYOR OF JERUSALEM VISIT  
4) DEFEND THE GAZA PROTESTORS 
5) LONDON DEBATE ON AFGHANISTAN

*********************************  
1) AFGHANISTAN DAY OF PROTEST: 27 MARCH

NATO forces are gearing up for a massive offensive on Kandahar 
in the next few months. Even in advance of that the death toll 
is rising -- 30 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan  
since the start of the year.

As the general election approaches, Stop the War groups will  
be campaigning to force the issue of Afghanistan onto the  
political agenda.

On March 27 there will be a Troops Out of Afghanistan day of  
action. Local Stop the War groups will be organising protests 
and petitioning local MPs. Many local groups are organising  
hustings debates and public meetings in the next few weeks.  
Contact the Stop the War office for details of events in your 
area: Email: office@stopwar.org.uk.  Call 020 7801 2768.

As part of our campaigning, Stop the War is producing a "Costs 
of War" leaflet, a questionnaire to put to all candidates  
standing in the election and a new pamphlet on Afghanistan.  
They will be available this week from the national office.

*********************************  
2) JOE GLENTON DEFENCE CAMPAIGN

Colchester Stop the War is organising a weekend of protest  
27/28 March in support of Joe Glenton, the British soldier who 
has been jailed for refusing to fight in Afghanistan (DETAILS, 
UPDATES & PETITION)

SATURDAY 27 MARCH  11.30AM-1PM 
MASS LEAFLET AND PETITION FOR RELEASE OF JOE GLENTON  
ELD LANE, COLCHESTER  
ESSEX CO1 1LS

SUNDAY 28 MARCH 1.30PM 
PROTEST OUTSIDE JOE'S PRISON  
MILITARY CORRECTIVE TRAINING CENTRE  
BERECHURCH HALL ROAD  
ESSEX CO2 9NU

For more details and to get involved, contact Kate, tel: 07834 
218 711, email: stwcolchester@hotmail.co.uk

*********************************  
3) PALESTINE PROTEST AT MAYOR OF JERUSALEM VISIT

Despite international pressure, the Israeli government 
continues its persecution of the Palestinians, making a  
mockery of any talk of a peace process. Not only did they  
announce a huge new settlement in East Jerusalem last week,  
but the Israeli police have been brutally attacking people  
protesting against plans for a new synagogue right next to the 
Al Aqsa Mosque. In addition, four Palestinian youths have been 
shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the last few days.

On Monday 22 march, Nir Barkat -- the Mayor of Jerusalem  
directly responsible for the new settlements -- is visiting  
London. We are urging all our supporters in London to join the 
protest outside Chatham House, where he is speaking.

MONDAY 22 MARCH 5PM  
CHATHAM HOUSE 
10 ST JAMES'S SQUARE  
LONDON SW1Y 4LE

*********************************  
4) DEFEND THE GAZA PROTESTORS

A defence campaign has been set up for the protestors who have 
been charged with offences at the Gaza demonstrations in  
January 2009. (DETAILS, UPDATES, PETITION:  
http://bit.ly/d1FqIA )

More than 20 of the 78 people charged have been sent to prison 
in an unprecedented campaign by the police. Almost all of  
those charged are Muslims. The campaign to defend the 
protestors has resulted in some good press coverage, and one  
of the first defendants to plead not guilty was acquitted last 
week.

Please sign the petition in defence of the protestors, which  
will be delivered to the Home Office at a protest on Tuesday  
30 March, 4.30pm.

SIGN THE PETITION ONLINE:  http://bit.ly/ccjdN8

DOWNLOAD THE PETITION FOR PRINTING: http://bit.ly/b1KAxH  
We are asking our supporters to download the petition for  
collecting signatures as widely as they can. Please send them 
to the Stop the War office in time for the 30 March protest at 
the Home Office.

*********************************  
5) LONDON DEBATE ON AFGHANISTAN

In the run up to the imminent general election, in which all  
the main parties will be supporting the war in Afghanistan,  
Stop the War is organising a series of debates around the  
country. Details for the debates will be posted on our website 
as they become available.

The details of the London debate are:

WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 7PM 
DEBATE: Should the Troops be in Afghanistan?  
SPEAKERS: Mehdi Hasan from the New Statesman, Professor  
Christopher Coker from the London School of Economics, Martin 
Cakebread from the National Defence Association, and Lindsey  
German Convenor of Stop the War  
VENUE: The Old Cinema lecture theatre, Westminster University, 
309 Regent Street, W1B 2UW.

*********************************
-- 

Hackney Stop the War Film Show WINTER SOLDIERS II Wed 31 March, 7.30pm

Hackney Stop the War is pleased to present a showing of Winter Soldiers II.

This is a rare opportunity to hear powerful and moving testimony by US soldiers condemning the occupation of Iraq and the part they played in it. We also hear from analysts and Iraqis about the motives for the occupation and the resistance to it.

This film, released in 2008 and not previously shown in Britain, also predicts continuity in US foreign policy - something the Obama regime has confirmed in respect of Afghanistan.

********************************************

Hackney Stop the War

Film Show

WINTER SOLDIERS II

Wed 31 March, 7.30pm

Abney Hall, 73a Stoke Newington Church Street N16

(down alley way, virtually opposite fire station)

Buses: 73, 393, 476; 106, 276. Rail: Stoke Newington

Tickets on the door; £3 (£1.50 concessionals)

Jailed for protesting against Israeli war crimes‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER No. 1142  
24 February 2010  
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk


IN THIS NEWSLETTER:  
1) JAILED FOR PROTESTING AGAINST ISRAELI WAR CRIMES  
2) GORDON BROWN APPEARING AT IRAQ INQUIRY  
3) JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY  
4) IRAQ: THE PEOPLE'S DOSSIER PAMPHLET SELLING OUT

************************************  
1) JAILED FOR PROTESTING AGAINST ISRAELI WAR CRIMES

Young people who took part in the mass demonstrations against 
Israel's attack on Gaza in January 2009 are being handed down 
jail sentences for minor offences. A protest has been called  
this Friday 26 February at Isleworth Crown Court and there  
will be a public meeting, open to all, in Parliament next  
Tuesday 2 March (details below).

Friday's protest and Tuesday's public meeting will be in  
support of those now being treated so harshly by the courts,  
and to defend our democratic right of protest.

Israel's barbarism -- which devastated Gaza and left 1400 dead 
-- brought tens of thousands on to London's streets, including 
the demonstration of over 100,000 on 10 January 2009.

Numerous complaints were made about police aggressive 
behaviour on the Gaza demonstrations. Thousands of protestors 
were 'kettled' -- illegally held for hours and only released  
after the police had obtained their names and addresses.

In the months that followed the demonstrations, over 90  
protestors were arrested -- most of them Muslims, many of them 
teenagers, often in intimidating dawn raids. More than seventy 
of those arrested were charged with disorder offences.

The courts are now hearing these cases. The defendants 
pleading guilty are being tried first and the sentences have  
been draconian. The judge has made clear that he is issuing  
deterrent sentences.

We are seeing first-time offenders receiving two and a half  
years imprisonment for minor offences which would not normally 
face custodial sentences.

It is hard not to conclude that this is a concerted attempt by 
the police and judiciary to  criminalise protest, intimidating 
in particular young Muslims.

Meanwhile, there has been no investigation into the aggressive 
and often violent policing on the Gaza demonstrations, despite 
the high level of complaints.

And while these young people are facing years in prison for  
protesting against Israel's war crimes, no one is being held  
to account for those crimes, which have been fully documented 
by reports from the United Nations, Amnesty International,  
Human Rights Watch and others.

FOR MORE BACKGROUND TO THE COURT CASES, GO TO: 
http://bit.ly/daqyC7

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY, 9.30AM  
DEFEND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST  
SUPPORT THE GAZA PROTESTORS  
ISLEWORTH CROWN COURT 
36 Ridgeway Road, Isleworth TW7 5LP  
(nearest tube Osterley on the Piccadilly Line)

For more info: contact the Stop the War office: 020 7801 2768, 
office@stopwar.org.uk

NEXT TUESDAY 2 MARCH 6.30 PM - 8.30 PM 
PUBLIC MEETING ON JAILING OF GAZA PROTESTERS  
Speakers include Jeremy Corbyn MP, George Galloway MP, Andrew 
Murray (Stop the War), Betty Hunter (Palestine Solidarity  
Campaign), speaker from British Muslim Initiative  
COMMITTEE ROOM 19, HOUSE OF COMMONS, LONDON SW1  
(St Stephens entrance, allow plenty of time to get through  
security).  
Organised by Stop the War, PSC, BMI and supported by CND.

************************************  
2) GORDON BROWN APPEARING AT IRAQ INQUIRY

Stop the War has called a protest at the Iraq Inquiry on  
Friday 5 March when Prime minister Gordon Brown appears to  
give evidence on his role in the run up to the Iraq war.

Our protest when Tony Blair appeared on 29 January received  
world wide media coverage (SEE http://bit.ly/avPIQP ). Gordon 
Brown has as much blood on his hands as Blair for an illegal  
war that slaughtered around one million Iraqis. As chancellor 
of the exchequer, he bankrolled the war and never publicly  
distanced himself from plans as they were hatched for the  
invasion of Iraq.

Since becoming prime minister, Brown has been zealous in  
continuing the war policies of his predecessor, not least in  
his support for the unwinnable war in Afghanistan, which the  
latest BBC poll shows is opposed by two thirds of the British 
public (SEE http://bit.ly/9meRQf ).

STOP THE WAR PROTEST AT THE IRAQ INQUIRY  
BLOOD ON GORDON BROWN'S HANDS 
ASSEMBLE 8.30 AM, QUEEN ELIZABETH CONFERENCE CENTRE,  
BROAD SANCTUARY , WESTMINSTER  SW1  
(Nearest tubes St James's Park or Westminster)

************************************  
3) JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY

On the same day that Gordon Brown appears at the Iraq Inquiry, 
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton will face his court martial hearing 
in Colchester for refusing to return to fight in Afghanistan.

Stop the War will be protesting in support of Joe at the  
court. Anyone in London wishing to know about transport for  
travelling to the protest should contact the Stop the War  
office: Email office@stopwar.org.uk, Tel: 020 7801 2768

SUPPORT L/CPL JOE GLENTON  
FRIDAY 5 MARCH 9.30AM 
MILITARY COURT CENTRE 
MERVILLE BARRACKS, OFF BUTT RD 
COLCHESTER C027UT

FOR MORE DETAILS OF JOE'S CASE AND FOR FURTHER UPDATES, SEE:  
http://bit.ly/2vHCKR

************************************  
4) IRAQ: THE PEOPLE'S DOSSIER PAMPHLET SELLING OUT

Stop the War's latest pamphlet Iraq: The People's Dossier is  
selling out fast. Order now to avoid disappointment. £2 + 50p 
postage (£1 a copy for bulk orders of five or more).

TO ORDER GO TO:  http://bit.ly/bJCnhs

************************************

When the enemy vanishes -- kill civilians‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER No. 1141  
15 February 2010  
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk


IN THIS NEWSLETTER:  
1) WHEN THE ENEMY VANISHES - KILL CIVILIANS  
2) YOUR CHANCE TO MEET DAVID MILIBAND ON TOUR 
3) VIDEO: THE DAY THE WORLD SAID NO TO WAR  
4) PROTEST AT JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL  
5) IF YOU LIVE IN CENTRAL LONDON OR… 
6) SONG OF THE WEEK WITH VIDEO

****************************** 
1) WHEN THE ENEMY VANISHES - KILL CIVILIANS

Nato's current offensive in the town of Marjah is being  
portrayed as a low casualty mission in the "good war" to get  
rid of the Taliban.

If you were to believe the news broadcasts, it's already a  
success.

Since the assault was always intended to be as much a 
publicity stunt as serving any military objective, Barack  
Obama and Gordon Brown will certainly be pleased at how the  
media has snapped into line and acted as stenographers for  
Nato press releases.

The truth is, most of the few hundred Taliban fighters in  
Marjah vanished well before the much touted offensive began,  
not being stupid enough to face up to 15,000 of the most  
heavily armed troops on the planet.

Much of what we've seen on the TV screens looks like random  
firing into empty space to give the cameras footage for the  
evening news bulletins.

But with very few enemy to engage it wasn't long -- two days  
in fact-- before tragedy struck when a missile attack looking 
for Taliban to kill managed to slaughter 12 civilians, five of 
them children -- the very people this war was supposedly  
tailored to keep out of harm's way.

The attack on Marjah is no different from the numerous other  
Nato "clear, hold and build" missions -- except in the amount 
of media ballyhoo.

And there's no reason why this should be different in the  
outcome, with the Taliban withdrawing tactically and biding  
its time, before infiltrating back into the town, once the  
overblown Operation Moshtarak, and its accompanying media  
circus, has moved on to some other flashpoint of resistance to 
foreign occupation.

The only reason the invading armies continue fighting a war  
that cannot be won is in the hope that some escape route can  
be found, from Obama and Brown's "war of necessity", which  
will leave in tact the credibility of the Western powers'  
ability to invade other countries with impunity.

The deaths of the 12 civilians this weekend is a brutal  
reminder of the heavy price many Afghans will pay in the  
months and years to come to save the face of those responsible 
for prosecuting a futile and unjustifiable war.

****************************** 
2) YOUR CHANCE TO MEET DAVID MILIBAND ON TOUR

Foreign Secretary David Miliband will be touring Britain in  
the coming weeks, holding Labour Party meetings to discuss  
Britain's foreign policy.

He has been much in the news recently, having failed in his  
protracted attempt to cover up British involvement in 
kidnapping and torturing -- a defining feature of the "war on 
terror".

Britain is long past that era when a minister caught deceiving 
the British public on this scale, would have had to resign.  
All the more reason why everywhere he goes to speak he is met 
by protests over his collusion with torture and his continuing 
advocacy of a war which in the past week alone has seen seven 
British soldiers killed.

Stop the War is asking its local groups to organise protests  
in towns and cities where Miliband is speaking. His first  
meeting is in London this Friday.

DAVID MILIBAND PROTEST 
TROOPS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN  
FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY 6.00PM  
ST PAUL'S CHURCH  
HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY  
LONDON W6

****************************** 
3) VIDEO: THE DAY THE WORLD SAID NO TO WAR

Today is the seventh anniversary of the biggest demonstration 
in history  that took place on 15 February 2003.

A must watch trailer for a feature length documentary, which  
will be both a historical record and a celebration of an  
unforgettable day, is now available on the Stop the War  
website (see http://bit.ly/FeWuS). The film is titled WE ARE  
MANY and the brilliantly directed trailer certainly whets the 
appetite for the film to come.

The filmmaker, Amir Amirani, writing with playwright Caryl  
Churchill in the Guardian, sums up the central theme of the  
film: "The legacy of 2003 is that today many feel that it  
would be impossible for any government, even one convinced of 
a case for a just war, to carry the nation with it. Wars  
corrode our political system. But protest is the engine of  
democracy." (Read here: http://bit.ly/bGRHpA)

It's a lesson drawn by Lindsey German, national convenor of  
Stop the War, who says, "It's still hard to believe how many  
marched, and looking at the pictures now it brings back  
memories which will be with me forever.

"If we had succeeded on that day, the world would have been a 
better and safer place. But that demonstration was not the end 
of the story. We have kept campaigning over Iraq and over  
Afghanistan, Palestine and Iran.

"The warmongers have been disgraced in the public mind but  
still need to be held to account. Most importantly we must  
keep organising to end the existing wars and occupations and  
to stop future ones."

VIDEO: WE ARE MANY: http://bit.ly/FeWuS  
SEE ALSO: http://www.wearemany.tv

****************************** 
4) PROTEST AT JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, the British Soldier who refused to 
return to Afghanistan, faces court martial on Friday 5 March. 
As a result of his brave public campaigning against the war  
and the support he has received from the anti-war movement,  
the Ministry of Defence has dropped the most serious charge of 
desertion.

However, Joe still faces the possibility of a prison term of  
up to two years and Stop the War is calling a protest at the  
court martial when he appears.

The court martial will be held in Colchester and Stop the War 
is asking its supporters to publicise the protest as widely as 
possible.

Anyone wishing to join us and who requires transport from  
outside London should contact our national office: Call 020  
7801 2768 or email office@stopwar.org.uk.

Protest To Defend Joe Glenton 
9.30am Friday 5 March 
The Military Court Centre  
Merville Barracks  
Off Butt Rd  
Colchester CO2 7UT

FOR UPDATES ON JOE'S CASE SEE: http://bit.ly/2vHCKR

****************************** 
5) IF YOU LIVE IN CENTRAL LONDON OR…

Stop the War has numerous local groups across the country and 
covering most areas of London. A Stop the War supporter in  
central London is planning to set up a group and urges anyone 
who lives there and would like to get involved to contact her 
through our national office.

If there is no local Stop the War group where you live, or in 
the college where you study, and you would like to set one up 
, the national office can provide advice, resources, speakers 
for meetings etc.

STOP THE WAR NATIONAL OFFICE: 
Call 020 7801 2768 or email office@stopwar.org.uk.

****************************** 
6) SONG OF THE WEEK WITH VIDEO

This week's anti-war song of the week is a new version of 19  
by Paul Hardcastle, an anti-war track selling in its millions 
in the 1980's. Paul says: "The similarities between Vietnam  
and Afghanistan are quite alarming." Here the song with video 
here: http://bit.ly/bXD59p

Attempt to ban protest outside Blair inquiry‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER  
No. 1137 26 January 2010  
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER  
1) ATTEMPT TO BAN PROTEST OUTSIDE BLAIR INQUIRY  
2) AFGHAN MEETING HAS ADDED URGENCY  
3) PROTEST AT GORDON BROWN'S AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE

**********************************  
1) ATTEMPT TO BAN PROTEST OUTSIDE BLAIR INQUIRY

Negotiations between the police and Stop the War broke down  
today when it became clear that the government is trying to  
hide our legitimate peaceful protest from Tony Blair when he  
gives evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry on Friday.

After days in which we were told by the police that they would 
try to facilitate our protest, Stop the War has been told we  
will not be allowed to protest on the grass outside the QEII  
Conference Centre.

This is a denial of our democratic rights and Stop the War  
will now call for the widest possible mobilisation, not just  
to express the majority view in this country that Tony Blair  
should be held to account for war crimes, but in defence of  
the right to protest.

Why should the public be denied the right to peaceful protest, 
particularly when the latest evidence given to the Chilcot  
Committee shows beyond doubt that Tony Blair knew he was  
taking Britain into an illegal war, and that he doctored legal 
advice to deceive his Cabinet, Parliament and the British  
public.

Stop the War is calling on all its supporters, local groups  
and affiliated organisations to mobilise the widest possible  
support for the Blair protest on Friday.

We urge everyone who can to join the demonstration at the QEII 
Conference Centre from 8am. Full details for the planned  
events are here: http://bit.ly/8mKM0T

Spread the word as widely as you can among your family,  
friends, work colleagues, fellow students etc, etc

TONY BLAIR'S "JUDGEMENT DAY"  
DEFEND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST  
Friday 29 January from 8.00am onwards 
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre  
Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE  
Nearest tube: Westminster

**********************************  
2) AFGHAN MEETING HAS ADDED URGENCY

The public meeting From Iraq to Afghanistan on Wednesday 27  
January has added urgency, given government attempts to  
curtail our right to protest.

Included in the discussion on Afghanistan will be the issue of 
how we can build the widest mobilisation possible to defend  
our democratic right to protest peacefully.

Speakers include Tony Benn, George Galloway MP, Seumas Milne  
from The Guardian, German MP Christine Buchholz, Kate Hudson  
from CND and Lindsey German from Stop the War Coalition.

STOP THE WAR/CND PUBLIC MEETING  
FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN  
WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 7.00PM  
CAMDEN CENTRE, BIDBOROUGH STREET  
LONDON WC1H 9DB

The limited edition JAIL TONY t-shirt, specially designed by  
Katharine Hamnett for Stop the War, will be on sale at this  
meeting. For a picture, see: http://bit.ly/72lcYY

The new Stop the War pamphlet, Iraq: The People's Dossier,  
will also be on sale.

**********************************  
3) PROTEST AT GORDON BROWN'S AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE

Thursday 28 January, 8.30am,  
Lancaster House, Stable Yard, 
St James's, London SW1A 1BB

Protest when Gordon Brown hosts his international conference, 
attended by Hilary Clinton, President Karzai, Ban Ki-moon from 
the UN, and representatives of all the US-led countries that  
are waging war in Afghanistan.

**********************************

The people's voice on Blair's judgement day‏

STOP THE WAR COALITION 
NEWSLETTER  
No. 1135 24 January 2010  
Email office@stopwar.org.uk  
Tel: 020 7801 2768  
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER  
1) THE PEOPLE'S VOICE ON BLAIR'S JUDGEMENT DAY 
2) NEW PAMPHLET - IRAQ: A PEOPLE'S DOSSIER  
3) PUBLIC MEETING: FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN  
4) GORDON BROWN'S WAR CONFERENCE  
5) L/CPL JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL HEARING  
6) FUNDING A WEEK OF ANTI-WAR PROTEST

*******************************  
1) THE PEOPLE'S VOICE ON BLAIR'S JUDGEMENT DAY

Writers, musicians, relatives of the dead, Iraqi refugees,  
poets, human rights  
lawyers, comedians, well known actors, MPs and ordinary  
citizens are joining a day of protest, performance and 
politics outside the Iraq Inquiry on Friday 29 January, as  
Tony Blair faces his judgement day.

People who oppose Britain's foreign wars are coming from all  
corners of the country. The verdict on Blair will affect  
present and future wars. It needs to be made clear to the  
world that people here regard him as a man guilty of taking  
Britain into an illegal war.

The approximate timetable for Tony Blair's Judgement Day at  
the QE2 Conference Centre, is as follows:

8.00: PROTEST STARTS AS BLAIR ARRIVES 
A delegation including Iraqi citizens and grieving military  
families take the People's Dossier of questions for Tony Blair 
to Sir John Chilcot.

9.00-10.00: NAMING OF THE DEAD CEREMONY  
When Blair's testimony begins, names of Iraqis killed in the  
war will be read by novelist A.L Kennedy, Musician Brian Eno, 
actor and director Sam West, actor and director Simon 
McBurney, playwright David Edgar, Lancet editor Richard  
Horton, former UK ambassador Craig Murray, Iraqi author Haifa 
Zangana, comedian and author Alexei Sayle, actor Miriam  
Margoyles, and more.

10.00-11.00: SPEECHES, READINGS AND PERFORMANCES  
Including by many of those participating in the Naming the  
Dead ceremony.

12.00-13.00: PERFORMANCE FROM LOWKEY, KING BLUES AND  
OTHER MUSICIANS.

13.00-14.00: MILITARY FAMILIES NAMING OF THE DEAD  
Members of military families who lost loved ones in the Iraq  
war will read the names of all 179 British soldiers who died.

16.00: PROTEST AS TONY BLAIR LEAVES THE INQUIRY

Tony Blair's Judgement Day  
Friday 29 January from 8.00am 
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre  
Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE  
Nearest tube: Westminster

*******************************  
2) NEW PAMPHLET - IRAQ: A PEOPLE'S DOSSIER  
A new Stop the War pamphlet, IRAQ: A PEOPLE'S DOSSIER, will be 
available on Blair's Judgement Day. It is a compilation  
representing the voices that have been excluded from the Iraq 
Inquiry - that is, the majority of people in Britain who  
consistently opposed Tony Blair's war.

*******************************  
3) PUBLIC MEETING: FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN

WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 7PM  
CAMDEN CENTRE, BIDBOROUGH STREET  
LONDON WC1H 9DB

At this Stop the War/CND public meeting leading figures will  
focus on another war initiated war by Tony Blair, and expose  
the lies behind the "good war" in Afghanistan.

Speakers include  Tony Benn, Seumas Milne (The Guardian),  
George Galloway MP, a speaker from the German movement, Kate  
Hudson (CND) and Lindsey German (Stop the War) .

*******************************  
4) GORDON BROWN'S WAR CONFERENCE

The day before Blair appears at the Chilcot inquiry, on  
Thursday 28 January, Gordon Brown has called a war conference 
on Afghanistan, which will be attended by Hilary Clinton,  
President Karzai and representatives from all the Nato 
countries supporting the US-led occupation. Stop the War and  
CND are organising a protest demanding an end to a war which  
is every bit as immoral and devastating as the war in Iraq.

Protest on Thursday 28 January, 8.30am, Lancaster House,  
Stable Yard, St James's, London SW1A 1BB

*******************************  
5) L/CPL JOE GLENTON'S COURT MARTIAL HEARING

It is ironic that Tony Blair is facing an inquiry into his  
decision to send soldiers to an illegal war which has 
slaughtered hundreds of thousands on the same day that a  
soldier who refuses to fight what he regards as another  
unjustifiable war started by Blair is facing court martial.

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, faces the first hearing of his  
court martial on Friday 29 January at Bulford in Wiltshire.  
Stop the War has called a picket to support Joe. Supporters  
travelling from London will meet with anti-war activists in  
Wiltshire.

It is essential that the only soldier to stand up and say  
publicly what many soldiers privately admit - that the war in 
Afghanistan is both unwinnable and unjustifiable - gets the  
widest possible support from the anti-war movement. Messages  
of support can be sent to Joe at defendjoeglenton@gmail.com.

For more information and updates on his case, see:  
http://bit.ly/2vHCKR

*******************************  
6) FUNDING A WEEK OF ANTI-WAR PROTEST

Stop the War has had a hectic beginning to 2010, with three  
major events and the publication of a new pamphlet this week. 
We are now gearing up for the general election campaign, to  
ensure that the war in Afghanistan is not sidelined by the  
major political parties, all of which supported the recent  
troop surge that will inevitably lead to further escalation  
following eight years which have brought nothing but ever  
increasing levels of death and destruction.

We have had a tremendous response to our emergency appeal for 
funds this month, but we still urgently need financial support 
to help sustain our activities and events for peace. We rely  
entirely on the contributions of our members and supporters  
for funding. If you have not donated to the current appeal,  
please consider doing so now:

How to donate: 
   * Donate online: http://bit.ly/8g4iQ4  
   * By credit/debit card: Call 020 7801 2768 
   * By post: Send cheque made out to "Stop the War  
Coalition":  
     231 Vauxhall Bridge Road 
     London UK  
     SW1V 1EH

Protest days in January

23 January, 1.30pm: Protest outside Army Show Room at Kingsland Shopping Centre, opposite Dalston Kingsland Station. Come and give out leaflets to publicise the blocade of Brown's Afghanistan Conference on 28 January and Blair's judgement day on 29 January. Helping us will be a masked Tony Bliar (no, not the real one) to answer any questions you have. 27 January: Central London Public Meeting Why we should get out of Afghanistan

Speakers: Tony Benn, Seumas Milne, George Galloway MP, a speaker from the German movement, Kate Hudson (CND), Lindsey German (Stop the War) 7pm, Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London WC1H9DB

28 January: Blockade Gordon Brown's Afghanistan conference

Gordon Brown's international conference on Afghanistan is part of a concerted effort to revive the brand Afghanistan as "the good war". In reality the warmongers are gathering for a war council masquerading as a peace conference, which is why Stop the War has called for a blockade. Blockade Gordon Brown's War Conference Thursday 28 January 8.30am Lancaster House, Stable Yard, St James's London SW1A 1BB

29 January: Tony Blair's Judgement Day

Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE On Friday 29 January, Tony Blair try to explain to the Iraq Inquiry the lies he used to take Britain into an illegal war. Stop the War will hold an all-day protest outside the inquiry, which will include a naming the dead ceremony, street theatre, poetry readings, music and other performances. Many military families will be there for the appearance of the man responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.It is time for the voice of the majority to be heard. Over 60% of the British public opposed the invasion in 2003. Today 52% say Blair deliberately misled parliament and the country. One in four say he should face trial for war crimes. On 29 January we will demand no whitewash by the Iraq Inquiry. Join us from 8.00am onwards

Message to all Stop the War Coalition supporters‏

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

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.

** Join Military Families against the war when they hand in petition to bring troops home from Afghanistan at Downing St at 5pm Mon 21 Dec. (Details below.)

** Gaza protest one year on outside Israeli embassy, 3-5pm Sun 28 Dec. (Details below.)

1) DECEMBER 21 MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
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)

***************************

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.

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 020 7801 2768.

********************************** 
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 020 7801 2768.

********************************** 
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)

Viva Palestina

ç

The 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

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

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

Send your message of support to defendjoeglenton@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

---

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.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or ainsworthr@parliament.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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