1. KABUL CONFERENCE SHOWS THE WAR AT AN IMPASSE 2. 'AFGHANISTAN:TIME TO GO'. PUBLIC MEETING MONDAY 26TH JULY
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1. KABUL CONFERENCE SHOWS THE WAR AT AN IMPASSE
The Kabul conference discussing the war in Afghanistan has only served to demonstrate the impasse which the war has now reached. Even the US administration has conceded that talks with the Taliban – so far resisted by Obama - are going to happen. The recognition that the war is losing contradicts the statements, still reiterated by foreign secretary William Hague, that there is a gradual improvement in the situation in Afghanistan.
The much-touted date for withdrawal in 2014 shows the desperation of the Nato governments, faced with defeat in Afghanistan and growing unpopularity of the war domestically. The fact that they are talking about a withdrawal date reflects the growing costs of the war, in human life and in billions of dollars. The death rate of British soldiers now stands at similar levels to those of Russian soldiers just before their withdrawal 20 years ago. The death rate of Afghans has increased over the past year. The Afghan army, supposedly being trained to take over the war from the Nato forces, has a 25% desertion rate.
But the conference today answers nothing. Why is fighting continuing in Helmand and the south when a likely outcome of negotiations to end the war will be to hand over that area to the Taliban? How can western governments claim the war is about human rights when it backs a government ranking among the most corrupt in the world? Why are these same governments ignoring public opinion, which is for rapid withdrawal of troops and an end to the war?
The role of the British government in this war has been shameful, from John Reid’s claim four years ago that the troops might be able to leave Helmand without a shot being fired in anger, to Hague’s current increasingly desperate justifications for the war.
How many more people will die before the proposed withdrawal date? How many billions will be spent on an unjustifiable war while the welfare state is slashed by the Coalition government. And which government minister will have to tell the families of the dead what exactly they were fighting for?
We are asking all our supporters to redouble their efforts campaigning to bring the troops home. Now is a moment when the movement can really make a difference. Our timetable for withdrawal starts now, with campaigning in every locality, involving military families, trade unions, school students and students, faith groups and anti war campaigners. We are aiming for a big national demonstration to coincide with the next Nato summit on November 20th saying it’s time to go –bring the troops home. Please start spreading the word about the demonstration – leaflets will be available on Monday and get in touch with your local group or check the website for local activities.
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2. 'AFGHANISTAN:TIME TO GO'. PUBLIC MEETING MONDAY 26TH JULY
7pm, Monday, 26th July Conway Hall 25 Red Lion Square London, WC1R 4RL
Joe Glenton, jailed for refusing to fight in Afghanistan, speaks out against the war. With Caroline Lucas, Jeremy Corbyn and Mark Steel.
The war in Afghanistan is in crisis. The strategy is crumbling, with Obama's sacking of General McChrystal and an increasingly corrupt Karzai government. The violence is intensifying with No clear goals and even fewer results. ThousandS of Afghan civilians are dying every year and very little rebuilding is being done. Despite the 77% of people being opposed to Britain's involvement in Afghanistan, this government continues to send troops to kill and die in a war that is being lost.
This war is wrong, this war has failed and it's Time To Go--
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1154 21 May 2010 Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 020 7801 2768end_of_the_skype_highlighting Web: http://stopwar.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 1) STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE - BOOK NOW 2) STOP THE WAR APPEAL - PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY 3) DEMOCRACY VILLAGE UNDER ATTACK
******************************* 1) STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE - BOOK NOW
This conference is a crucial, long overdue event. Attacks on the Muslim community are at an all time high. The newspapers are full of abuse against Muslims. Physical attacks are rising. Muslim demonstrators are being sent to prison. The election of a right wing government will only mean more anti-Muslim policies while in Europe governments are lining up to ban the Burqa and impose restrictions on the Hijab.
The aim is to bring together all the organisations and individuals who want to stop the spread of the Islamophobic poison. The conference has been backed by Unite the Union, the NUJ, CND and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, a number of Mosques, Friends of al Aqsa, the Muslim Safety Forum, the Islamic Forum of Europe and many other organisations.
Speakers include Moazzam Begg, Daud Abdullah, Salma Yaqoob, Peter Oborne, Lindsey German, Imran Khan, Seumas Milne and many more.
Please book now and spread the word. Tickets are available here: http://bit.ly/al64ru
******************************* 2) STOP THE WAR APPEAL - PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY
Stop the War Coalition needs your support. We have launched an appeal for £10,000 for our two most urgent initiatives - the Troops Out of Afghanistan tour and the conference to Stop Islamophobia. Both projects are expensive. Both are crucial. NATO is poised for its biggest military offensive since Obama's surge, the attack on Kandanar. This could lead to massive suffering in what uis Afghanistans second city.
£50 buys 2000 leaflets, £500 pays for a workshop at the conference. Please give generously.
HOW TO DONATE: ONLINE: http://bit.ly/FeWuS BY PHONE: Call 0207801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0207801 2768end_of_the_skype_highlighting BY POST: Send a cheque made out to "Stop the War Coalition" to Stop the War, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1 1EH
******************************* 3) DEMOCRACY VILLAGE UNDER ATTACK
Activists in Parliament Square, who have been camping out in protest against the war in Afghanistan, are being threatened with eviction in the run up to the Queens Speech next week. They are asking for people to visit them to show support. Send messages to: supportdemoracyvillage@gmail.com
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1151 04 May 2010 Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 020 7801 2768end_of_the_skype_highlighting Web: http://stopwar.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER 1) HOW TO USE YOUR VOTE AGAINST THE WAR 2) STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA: DEFEND THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY 3) FUND RAISING DRIVE: PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY
********************************** 1) HOW TO USE YOUR VOTE AGAINST THE WAR
Stop the war's lobbying database can help you decide how to vote against the war in Thursday's election. Thousands of people have used it to question their candidates on a range of issues concerning the "war on terror".
Of those who replied so far, 17 per cent of Labour and 17 per cent of Liberal Democrat candidates support our call for the troops to come home. Many of the smaller parties have higher pecentages of candidates opposing the war. Not one Conservative candidate has supported the call for the troops to be withdarwn.
HOW TO LOBBY YOUR LOCAL ELECTION CANDIDATES * Go to http://bit.ly/91ATZw * Enter your post code * Complete the survey (takes one or two minutes)
********************************** 2) STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA: DEFEND THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY ONE DAY CONFERENCE SATURDAY 5 JUNE 10AM TO 5PM CAMDEN CENTRE LONDON WC1H 9JE
Muslims are under attack on many fronts. Media demonisation, pro-war propaganda , government surveillance, imprisonment of Muslims peacefully protesting against Israel's invasion of Gaza -- all have contributed to a sense that the whole community is being scapegoated.
One result has been a frightening increase in physical attacks on mosques and individuals.
Stop the War is organising a conference against Islamophobia, alongside the British Muslim Initiative, to discuss how best to campaign and organise against this growing threat.
The conference already has the support of a range of unions and organisations including the National Union of Journalists, UNITE, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Islam Channel and a number of Mosques.
Speakers include: * Daud Abdullah, Muslim Council of Britain * Mohammed Ali, Islam Channel * Anas Al-Tikriti, British Muslim Initiative * Tre Azam, ex of The Apprentice * Moazzam Begg, former Guantanamo Bay prisoner * Lindsey German, convenor Stop the War Coalition * Muhammad Habibur-Rahman, vice-president Islamic Forum of Europe * Kate Hudson CND, * Imran Khan solicitor, * Dr Robert Lambert, former head of Scotland Yard's Muslim Contact Unit * Seumas Milne, journalist * Peter Oborne, journalist * Salma Yaqoob, Respect Party
TICKETS £5 OR £3 UNWAGED Book Online: http://bit.ly/al64ru Book by phone: 020 7801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 020 7801 2768end_of_the_skype_highlighting
********************************** 3) FUND RAISING DRIVE: PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY
As well as taking the initiative for the conference against Islamophobia, Stop the War will this Summer step up its campaign against the war in Afghanistan. We are organising a national tour of meetings starting in June.
We are also planning a range of publications and other resources to help promote the anti-war case.
Stop the War's work is as necessary as at any time in our nine year history, not least because the political establishment has closed ranks to try and bury the issue of the war.
Stop the War has no rich sponsors and receives no grants. All of our campaigning is funded by the support we get from our network of supporters across the country.
To help fund our campaigning in the coming months, we are launching a fund drive to raise £10,000 by the end of July and we are urging our supporters to donate what they can.
How your donations can help: £100 pays for travel for one stage of the Afghanistan speaking tour we are planning, £50 buys 2000 leaflets, £20 pays for 30 placards.
Please donate generously to the campaign. You can donate by cheque, online, or on the phone. ONLINE: http://bit.ly/APlKX BY PHONE: 020 7801 2768 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 020 7801 2768end_of_the_skype_highlighting BY POST: Cheques made payable to "Stop the War Coalition" and sent to Stop the War Coalition, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London UK, SW1V 1EH
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.
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.
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
********************************** 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
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.
********************************** 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
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.
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 :)
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.
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.
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
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.)
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?
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.
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.
****************************** 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
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1119 20 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) SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES LEAD SATURDAY'S MARCH 2) MUSICIANS AND ACTORS PERFORM AT THE RALLY 3) HELP STEWARD THE DEMONSTRATION ON 24 OCTOBER
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton (http://bit.ly/eO3V0 )will become the first serving British soldier to openly attend an anti-war demonstration when he leads marchers from Hyde Park to Trafalgar square on Saturday 24 October calling for all troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.
Joe, who is currently fighting a court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan, will be joined by families of soldiers who have given their lives during the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Joan Humphries' grandson Kevin Elliott, 24, from Black Watch, was killed while on on foot patrol in the southern Afghan province of Helmand on August 31 of this year. She says:
"I have supported CND all my life and have been involved in Stop the War since the march in 2003 when more than a million people were on the streets. Kevin knew my feelings. But there were no jobs, education was poor and the politicians down south were dishonest and there was simply nothing else he felt he could do but join the army."
Peter Brierley ( http://bit.ly/C7atg ) will attend the demonstration in memory of his son, Lance Corporal Shaun Brierley, who was killed while on duty in Iraq. Peter refused to shake the hand of Tony Blair at a memorial service for those who died in Iraq at St Paul's Cathedral earlier this month, explaining that it had "my son's blood on it."
Paul McGurk, 25, served in Helmand province until April 2008 but left the army last month because he could not support the war with Afghanistan. "My regiment has been posted back to Afghanistan and I will be attending the demonstration for them, calling for them to come home because this conflict cannot be justified.
"Morale in the army was very low when I was serving and this can only be getting worse. Those who intend serving for the next 22 years face being posted to Afghanistan six more times."
DEMONSTRATE SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER BRING THE TROOPS HOME ASSEMBLE 12 NOON HYDE PARK MARCH TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE Called by Stop the War, CND and BMI
Please use email, texts, tweets, Facebook etc to help publicise the demonstration as widely as possible.
****************************** 2) MUSICIANS AND ACTORS PERFORM AT THE RALLY
Up and coming band King Blues and the rapper Lowkey will be among the perfomers at the end of march rally in Trafalgar Square. Actors Bill Paterson, Corin Redgrave and Kika Markham will do readings, including naming the dead commemorations. Other speakers include Bianca Jagger, George Galloway MP and Andrej Hanko, who is an MP for Die Linke party in the German Parliament.
A full list of speakers will be posted soon on the Stop the War website: http://bit.ly/2pZlGD
****************************** 3) HELP STEWARD THE DEMONSTRATION ON 24 OCTOBER
Stop the War has always been fortunate in the number and the commitment of the volunteers who help us organise our demonstrations. If you would like to join the team organising the demonstration on Saturday 24 October, please email your name and contact details to office@stopwar.org.uk or call 020 7801 2768
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1118 18 October 2009 Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7801 2768 Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
WEAPONS OF MASS COMMUNICATION FOR 24 OCTOBER
Full details of the national Bring the Troops Home demonstration on 24 October are now on our website (see http://bit.ly/2pZlGD), including a map of the march route, latest details of coaches from outside London (see http://bit.ly/FGook), and details of keynote speakers at the rally in Trafalgar Square.
Every day this week there are activities and events taking place across the country to build support for the demonstration. Virtually every corner of London is being covered, with leafleting of tube stations, mosques, colleges, shopping centres etc. For details and to get involved, see http://bit.ly/3cPI3i
There is a way we can all make a difference. The mainstream media gives acres of coverage to the warmongers but does no favours to the antiwar movement. We have to use our own networks to publicise our events. And it works. If we all commit ourselves to using the weapons of mass communication at our disposal, we can make a real difference.
Emailing, texting, sending Twitter tweets, posting on Facebook -- if we all use every communication means we have to spread the word about the demonstration and urge everyone we contact to do the same, we will reach a mass audience very quickly, despite the vitual news blackout by the mainstream media.
Then no one will be able to say after 24 October that they weren't on the demonstration because they didn't know about it.
The stakes couldn't be higher, with Gordon Brown having just announced an increase in the number of British troops fighting an unwinnable and pointless war -- and almost certain to send even more when Obama announces his second troop "surge".
The latest poll shows that 68 percent of the British public want all the troops brought home. The bigger the turnout on Saturday, the more pressure we will put on all those MPs who have closed their ears to the majority view of their constituents. We're only a few months away from a general election. We have to ensure that the war in Afghanistan is a central issue. Saturday's demonstration will be the best springboard to ensuring that happens.
* SEND THIS MESSAGE BY EMAIL, TEXT, FACEBOOK ETC: Join the National Demonstration. Bring the Troops Home from Afghanistan. You can make a difference. London: Saturday 24 October Assemble Hyde Park 12 noon March to Trafalgar Square Full details here: http://bit.ly/2pZlGD Please pass on this message to everyone you know.
* TWEET THIS ON TWITTER: You can make a difference. Join the Troops Out of #Afghanistan demo: London 24 October http://bit.ly/2pZlGD
WHY YOU NEED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS WEEK: Last week dozens of bereaved relatives who lost loved ones in the Iraq war gave evidence to the Iraq War Inquiry. The committee was stunned when the relatives demanded -- with almost complete unanimity -- that the illegality of the war should be a central issue for the inquiry, and that Tony Blair should be indicted for his war crimes.
Our demonstration on Saturday and our continuing campaign to end the war in Afghanistan, are aimed to prevent any more futile loss of life, by Afghans and soldiers alike. Please act now to publicise the demonstration in every way you can. And please join us on Saturday.
STOP THE WAR COALITION NEWSLETTER No. 1117 15 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) WHY SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER MATTERS 2) PETER BRIERLEY: WHY I'LL BE THERE ON 24 OCTOBER 3) CALLING ALL LONDONERS 4) MEDIA COVERAGE FOR 24 OCTOBER 5) TREMENDOUS RESPONSE TO OUR FINANCIAL APPEAL
************************************* 1) WHY SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER MATTERS
Next Saturday October 24th is one of the most important anti war demonstrations Stop the War has ever organised.
It comes at the moment when the war in Afghanistan has lost all credibility but the governments on both sides of the Atlantic are sending more troops.
It comes at a time of widespread revulsion against the war across the country. Amongst others, many soldiers, ex soldiers and military families are contacting us to express their outrage at the terrible waste of life it is causing.
It comes at a time when the reasons given for the war have been exposed as lies. As violence spirals in Afghanistan who can now believe the war is making the world a safer place? After the sham elections who can believe it is bringing democracy to Afghanistan?
Members of military families, including those of serving soldiers, are travelling from as far afield as Dundee and Exeter. They will be at the head of the demonstration, alongside Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, the soldier who is facing a court martial for refusing to go back to Afghanistan (see http://bit.ly/1b5cb5), and Peter Brierley, the father who lost his son in Iraq and refused to shake Tony Blair's hand in St Paul's Cathedral a week ago (see below: Why I'll be there on 24 October).
Over the following week, we are asking all local Stop the War groups to use all opportunities to publicise the demonstration in every way they can. The tremendous response of the London groups is a very encouraging sign (see below: Calling All Londoners), as are the new student Stop the War groups springing up in colleges where we have never had one before.
Transport to bring protestors from outside London has been organised across the country from Glasgow in the North to Portsmouth in the South. (See http://bit.ly/FGook).
Both Obama and Gordon Brown are clearly worried by the growing opposition to the war. The latest poll shows 68 percent of the British public want the troops brought home. Our demonstration, called in conjunction with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the British Muslim Initiative, could not have been more timely.
Please use every means you can to publicise the demonstration: texts, emails, tweets (for the Twitter users), letters to the local press are things we can all do. If you would like to help in your local Stop the War group's activities see http://bit.ly/3cPI3i.
DEMONSTRATE: BRING THE TROOPS HOME SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER ASSEMBLE 12 NOON HYDE PARK: MARCH TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE For updates including the march route: http://stopwar.org.uk
************************************* 2) PETER BRIERLEY: WHY I'LL BE THERE ON 24 OCTOBER
Peter Brierley, whose son died in Iraq, became the subject of a worldwide news story when he refused to shake Tony Blair's hand at a commemoration service for British soldiers killed in Iraq, with the words: "Don't you dare. You have my son's blood on your hands." Peter, who is a member of Stop the War, explains here why he will be on next week's demonstration.
"I believe marching makes a difference. By being on the streets we get closer to the point of bringing the troops home. Everyone should bring one or two other people - people who have never been on a demonstration before, who aren't activists. I used to be the person who sat in the chair. I'd watch the protests and think, I want to be part of that. It took my son's death to push me into doing something. Demonstrate to show the government that we are strong."
************************************* 3) CALLING ALL LONDONERS
Over the next week, London Stop the War groups are pulling out all the stops mobilising support for the demonstration. The list of dozens of activities in all corners of the capital city has been posted on the Stop the War website. If you live in London and have any time to help in your area, please look for details of events here: http://bit.ly/1fcykL
************************************* 4) MEDIA COVERAGE FOR 24 OCTOBER
Stop the War is getting numerous requests for interviews on TV and radio but we still find it difficult to get the mainstream newspapers to give us coverage prior to a demonstration (Seumas Milne's excellent article in today's Guardian is an exception: http://bit.ly/1ziQez).
One possibly more accessible media is the local press and we are encouraging our supporters to write to their local newspaper, linking a local issue with the demonstration (the cost of the war when local services are facing draconian cuts, is an obvious topic).
************************************* 5) TREMENDOUS RESPONSE TO OUR FINANCIAL APPEAL
Many thanks to everyone who has responded to our urgent appeal for funds. These contributions are essential for us to cover the costs of next week's demonstration and for continuing our campaign in the coming months, as we aim to ensure that the war in Afghanistan features prominently in the run up to the general election, which is only a few months away.
We still need urgently to raise more funding, so if you have not donated yet, any contribution you can make will be very much appreciated.
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
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