Israel’s unprecedented massacre of peace activists on the Gaza flotilla has produced an outrage around the world.
On Monday London saw a magnificent protest called at just a few hours’ notice, as did many other towns and cities across the country.
This Saturday there is another emergency demonstration, which we need to make a big as possible.
Attached to this email is a flyer. Please print or photocopy some copies and spread them around your workmates, your trade union and community groups and your streets.
Hackney Stop the War activists will be leafleting stations and shopping centres between now and Saturday, but everyone can play apart in making this the demonstration a big as possible.
GAZA FLOTILLA NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
ASSEMBLE 1.30PM DOWNING STREET LONDON
Stop the war is also holding a conference on Islamophobia on Saturday. This was to have been an all-day event, but has now been shortened so that people can go on the demonstration.
Although only half a day now, the conference is important. The intensification of the EDL racist marches have highlighted the extent to which Muslims are demonised in our society and the Stop Islamophobia conference will bring together an impressive list of speakers to lead the discussion on how this can be countered.
Anyone who wishes to attend can still do so.
STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE 9.30AM - 1.00PM
CAMDEN CENTRE LONDON WC1H 9JE
Showing posts with label demo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label demo. Show all posts
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
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 2768 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR PALESTINE
2) ELTON JOHN NOT APPEARING AT PALESTINE PROTEST
*****************************
1) NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR PALESTINE
Saturday 15 May is a day of action for Palestine, including a
demonstration in London, calling for:
* An end to Israel's violations of international law
* An end to Israel's illegal occupation and settlements
* Israeli war criminals to be brought to justice
* An end to the siege on Gaza
* A ban on all settlement goods
* Suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement
* An end to the arms trade with Israel
LONDON FREE PALESTINE DEMONSTRATION
SATURDAY 15 MAY, 12-2PM
OPPOSITE 10 DOWNING STREET, LONDON SW1
(nearest tube Westminster)
Organised by: Palestine Solidarity Campaign, British Muslim
Initiative, Stop the War Coalition, CND, Palestinian Forum in
Britain.
Supported by: Association of the Palestinian Community UK,
Friends of Al Aqsa, Friends of Lebanon, the Green Party, ICAHD
UK, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Liberal Democrats
Friends of Palestine, Pax Christi, Public and Commercial
Services Union, UNISON, UNITE the Union, Zaytoun
DOWNLOAD LEAFLET: http://bit.ly/bNg9J4
*****************************
2) ELTON JOHN NOT APPEARING AT PALESTINE PROTEST
Elton John will not be appearing at Saturday's demonstration
for Palestine. Instead he's getting ready for a concert in Tel
Aviv on June 17, unlike Gil Scott Heron and Santana, who both
cancelled concerts in Israel, following a widespread call for
them to respect the boycott of Israel for its countless
violations of international law.
When Elton John performs in Israel, we doubt that he will be
singing the song we've posted on Stop the War's website:
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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.
*********************************
--
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Responding to the Afghan election farce
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) RESPONDING TO THE AFGHAN ELECTION FARCE
2) LONDON STOP THE WAR ACTIVISTS' MEETING
***************************
1) RESPONDING TO THE AFGHAN ELECTION FARCE
NATO's operation in Afghanistan has descended into farce.
Gordon Brown and Barack Obama have both congratulated Hamid
Karzai - a man they installed as Afghanistan's ruler in the
first place - for winning an election they themselves have
condemned as corrupt.
The result of this charade will be to further weaken support
for the war here. The fact that there are now establishment
voices arguing the war is pointless also strengthens the hand
of those of us who want to bring the troops home altogether.
Following the excellent Bring The Troops Home demonstration
ten days ago we need to use the weeks up to Christmas to put
maximum pressure on the government.
We are asking all our supporters to do as many of the
following as possible:
- PETITION:
Get everyone you know to sign the Bring the Troops Home
petition. We plan to hand it in very publicly to Gordon Brown
in December, so we need the maximum possible number of
signatures by then. You can sign it online
(http://bit.ly/ft6BP) or download a copy (http://bit.ly/rNaTZ)
and take it round your workmates, neighbours, friends etc.
- LOBBY YOUR MP:
Lobby your MP and demand he or she does everything possible to
end the occupation. Send a Bring the Troops Home postcard
(available from the office) to your MP.
- ANNIVERSARY OF AFGHAN "LIBERATION":
Join local protests on Bring the Troops Home day Friday 13th
November - the anniversary of the so-called liberation of
Afghanistan.
- MILITARY FAMILIES:
If you have family connections with the military or know
anyone who does and is against the war, please contact the
Stop the War office. More and more military families are
getting in touch. As Michael Clarke, Director of the Royal
United Services Institute is quoted as saying in Today's
Guardian 'The cynicism that eventually corroded the morale of
US forces in Vietnam is a spectre that is beginning to haunt
the whole Afghanistan enterprise'.
5) DONATE:
Donate to the Bring the Troops Home appeal. In order to
maintain a high profile campaign, the Stop the War Coalition
we need money, for leaflets and postcards, for office and
transport costs.
HOW TO DONATE:
* Online: http://bit.ly/APlKX ;
* By credit / debit card: Phone 020 7801 2768
* By cheque: Made out to 'Stop the War Coalition' and sent to:
Stop the War Coalition
231 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 1EH
***************************
2) LONDON ACTIVISTS' MEETING: OPEN ALL
If you are based in or near London, a Stop the War activists
meeting has been organised for Tuesday 10 November at the
Indian YMCA 41, Fitzroy Square London W1T 6AQ. Nearest tube
Warren Street.
The meeting will give us a chance to assess the situation in
Afghanistan, brainstorm about the campaign to bring the troops
home and protest ideas in the run up to Christmas and to
exchange ideas about strengthening the local groups. We are
keen to make sure we get newer activists along to the meeting
to get them fully involved.
For more details, see: http://bit.ly/1rMvCE
Monday, 2 November 2009
Friday, 23 October 2009
Afghanistan demonstration update, BNP, etc
Watch this and know why we demonstrate on 24 October
This two-minute video shows what a futile and unjustified war means for the Afghan people and gives yet another reason why we're demonstrating on 24 October. The US army predictably claimed that the civilians died because the occupying forces came under Taliban attack. Afghan witnesses and grieving relatives say this is a lie.
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1120 22 October 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk ;
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) FRIDAY IS LONDON TUBES DAY
2) SPEAKERS AT DEMONSTRATION RALLY
3) WAR CRIMINAL STRAW FACES "ANTI-WAR" FASCIST
4) IMPORTANT: MARBLE ARCH TUBE STATION
5) ROBB JOHNSON'S AFGHANISTAN WAR SONG
6) KEEP WEAPONS OF MASS COMMUNICATION GOING
7) LONDON STOP THE WAR GROUPS' CONTACT DETAILS
******************************
1) FRIDAY IS LONDON TUBES DAY
The campaign tempo for Saturday's Bring the Troops Home
demonstration has been raised dramatically this week. So many
leaflets have been distributed, particularly in London, that
the office ran out and had to do an urgent re-order.
This was particularly important because Stop the War has
designated Friday 23 October as London tube station day, when
we've asked our local groups to leaflet as many tubes stations
as possible.
We have listed at the end of this newsletter all London
groups, together with contact names and telephone numbers. If
you have any time at all to help leaflet the tubes, please
contact your local group for details of when and where this is
taking place.
******************************
2) SPEAKERS AT DEMONSTRATION RALLY
There is a varied list of speakers at the demonstration rally,
who will make contributions in a range of formats. Speakers
include:
* Serving soldier JOE GLENTON, facing court martial for
refusing to return to Afghanistan;
* Ex-soldier PAUL MCGURK, who left the army last month because
he refused to continue fighting an unjustified war in
Afghanistan;
* A number of relatives from military families, including
PETER BRIERLEY, who famously refused to shake Tony Blair's
hand because it "has my son's blood on it";
* TARIQ ALI, GEORGE GALLOWAY MP and ANDREJ HUNKO MP from the
German Die Linke party
* Musicians ROBB JOHNSON (see below), LOWKEY and the KING
BLUES;
* Actors BILL PATERSON, KIKA MARKHAM and CORIN REDGRAVE, who
will do readings and Naming the Dead commemorations.
CHECK THE STOP THE WAR WEBSITE FOR DEMONSTRATION UPDATES:
http://stopwar.org.uk
Assemble 12 noon Hyde Park: March to Trafalgar Square
Called by Stop the War Coalition, CND and BMI
The march will be lead by anti-war soldiers, ex-soldiers and
military families
******************************
3) WAR CRIMINAL STRAW FACES "ANTI-WAR" FASCIST
If there were any accountability for the Iraq war, Jack Straw
- who was British foreign secretary at the time - would be
indicted for war crimes. (See http://bit.ly/RmX66)
On the BBC's Question Time programme, Straw will debate with
Nick Griffin, leader of the fascist British National Party,
which opposes both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
No doubt Nick Griffin will have a field day highlighting Jack
Straw's war crimes, but whatever the BNP says about Iraq and
Afghanistan, it is not an anti-war party. It is a fascist
organisation and its policies can only be carried through by a
civil war against ethnic minorities and all those it regards
as inferior.
Stop the War supports the campaigns which reveal the true
nature of the BNP and which mobilise opposition to its fascist
policies. Many of Stop the War's supporters will join the
protest on Thursday 22 October against the BBC's decison to
invite a fascist party to participate in its Question Time
programme.
FOR STOP THE WAR'S STATEMENT ON THE BNP, SEE:
http://bit.ly/6X2EI
******************************
4) IMPORTANT: MARBLE ARCH TUBE STATION
Marble Arch Station, which is the nearest to the demonstration
assembly point in Hyde Park, is closed all day Saturday.
Please use Lancaster Gate, Bond Street or Hyde Park Corner
tube stations.
******************************
5) ROBB JOHNSON'S AFGHANISTAN WAR SONG
Renowned songwriter Robb Johnson will be appearing at the
demonstration rally on Saturday. Stop the War has made his new
song North West Frontier -- which is about the Afghanistan war
-- our song of the week. You can hear it on the Stop the War
website: http://bit.ly/116gTa
******************************
6) KEEP WEAPONS OF MASS COMMUNICATION GOING
Another British soldier was killed today in Afghanistan,
highlighting yet again the importance of Saturday's
demonstration. Please do all you can to spread the word in the
last couple of days, not forgetting the weapons of mass
communication to everyone you know: emails, texts, tweets,
Facebook, etc.
******************************
7) LONDON STOP THE WAR GROUPS CONTACT DETAILS
Live in London? Get involved with your local Stop the War
Group. Help leaflet the tube stations on Friday 22 October.
Find your local group below:
NORTH
* Bloomsbury, Isobel McMillan, 07951 199 672
* Brent, Sarah Cox 07951 084 101
* Camden, Liz Wheatley 07525 846 520
* Haringey, Simon Hester 0773 606 4045
* Wembley, Hind 07944 267 272
* Islington, Shirley Franklin 07958 745 802
SOUTH
* Southwark, Laura Harvey 07976 911 887
* East Dulwich, Nicola Fields 07790 330 142
* Croydon Dima, 07917 475 748
* Lambeth, Chris Blake 07766 601 777
* Lewisham, Michael Coulsten 07753 185 732
* Wandsworth, John Clossick 020 7223 3483
* Tooting (Wandsworth) Dave Esbester, 0208 646 5545, 07913 468
659
* Putney (Wandsworth) Pat Shearin 07931 679 459
EAST
* Tower Hamlets, Jo Gough 07730 612 105
* Newham, Andy Brown 07736 812 366
* Waltham Forest, Carole Vincent 07982 875 032
* Hackney, Despina 07932 714 833
WEST
* Wimbledon James 07926 742 907
* Richmond Sam Oxby, 07960 770 835
* Kingston, Noel, 0208 395 2656
* Twickenham, John Whits. 07812 348 845
* Acton/Ealing, Iqbal 07773 577 461
* Hounslow, Richard 07774 936 556
* Ladbroke Grove, Giavanni
* Hammersmith, Victoria 07887 943 194
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Soldiers and their families lead Saturday's march
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
******************************
1) SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES LEAD SATURDAY'S MARCH
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
Full details and map of march route: http://bit.ly/2pZlGD
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
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Weapons of Mass Communication for 24 October
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.
Friday, 16 October 2009
Why Saturday 24 October matters
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."
SEE: "My son's blood is on your hands": http://bit.ly/C7atg
*************************************
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
Sunday, 11 October 2009
What you can do to help build 24 October
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1116 09 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) WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP BUILD 24 OCTOBER
2) RETHINK AFGHANISTAN: IMPORTANT DOCUMENTARY
3) SONG OF THE WEEK: PALESTINE WILL BE FREE
*****************************************
1) WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP BUILD 24 OCTOBER
Stop the War is now working at full throttle to ensure that no
one can say after the national demonstration on 24 October
that they were not there because they did not know it was
taking place.
We need every one of our supporters to help us achieve this.
At a minimum we are asking you to email, text or tweet your
friends, relatives and contacts with details of the
demonstration and ask them to do the same (details below).
Regular updates for the demonstration are posted on our
website: http://stopwar.org.uk
We have to be systematic in creating our own networks to
publicise the demonstration because the mainstream media is
rarely interested in giving us pre-publicity, even for events
which represent majority opinion in this country
If all of our supporters do the following, we can spread the
word about the demonstration to all corners of the country:
- 1 Leaflet your street with the demonstration leaflets, which
includes our Ten Reasons Why We Should Get Out of Afghanistan.
Available from the national office.
- 2 Put a demonstration poster in your window and in local
shops. Available from the national office.
- 3 Write a letter to your local paper arguing the troops come
home and publicising the demonstration
- 4 Organise a leafleting session of your local tube, bus or
train station, or the local high street
- 5 Email, tweet and text all your friends and contacts to
make sure they know the date, time and assembly point
If you would like to get involved with a Stop the War group in
your area, look at the diary of local events on the Stop the
War website, which gets updated every day. If there is no
local event in your area, contact the national office, who
should be able to put you in contact with local anti-war
activists where you live.
The national Troops Out of Afghanistan demonstration on
Saturday 24 October could not be more timely, with Gordon
Brown expected to announce soon an increase in the number of
British troops deployed, and the BBC reporting that the
majority in Britain opposing the war has increased.
The demonstration on 24 October will be of crucial importance
in raising the profile of the anti-war majority, as we enter
the last few months before a general election, in which the
politicians will hope to avoid the issue of their pointless
and unwinnable war.
Please do all you can to help us publicise the demonstration
as widely as possible.
DEMONSTRATE: BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER CENTRAL LONDON
ASSEMBLE 12 NOON HYDE PARK: MARCH TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel:
http://stopwar.org.uk
*****************************************
2) RETHINK AFGHANISTAN: IMPORTANT DOCUMENTARY
Rethink Afghanistan is an important must-watch documentary
which lays bare the reality behind the politicans' and
generals' "failure is not an option". WATCH HERE:
http://bit.ly/qyR1R
*****************************************
3) SONG OF THE WEEK: PALESTINE WILL BE FREE
This week's anti-war song of the week is Palestine Will Be
Free by Maher Zain, which is illustrated with a brilliant
animation. WATCH HERE: http://bit.ly/nJKxR
Thanks to everyone who has sent in suggestions for our song of
the week, which are now in the pool for future selections. We
welcome more suggestions which should be emailed to
stwsong@stopwar.org.uk
Monday, 24 August 2009
Protest Israeli PM Netanyahu meeting Gordon Brown
STOP THE WAR COALITION
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://www.stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet British prime minister
Gordon Brown tomorrow in Downing Street.
PROTEST 1.30-3pm TOMORROW, Tuesday 25 August opposite Downing Street (nearest
tube Westminster)
Please come to send a clear message to Gordon Brown:
# Israeli settlements block peace – they must be dismantled, not just frozen
# End Israel’s siege on Gaza
# End Israel’s ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem
If you are unable to come to the protest, write to Gordon Brown to insist that
real peace means delivering justice for the Palestinians. The British
government must act to ensure Israel ends its numerous violations of
international law.
# Fax a letter to 10 Downing Street : 020 7925 0918.
# Email David Miliband at the Foreign Office reaquesting his office convey your
message to the Prime Minister: msu.correspondence@fco.gov.uk
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Naming the Dead in commemoration of 200 soldiers killed The Cenotaph, Whitehall, London. Monday 17 August, 12 noon
The passing of the milestone of the 200th soldier to be killed in Afghanistan is no less tragic for being all too predictable. The Stop the War Coalition has mourned the death of every soldier sent into a war which we -- along with the majority of people in Britain -- regard as both unjustified and unwinnable.
Gordon Brown's insistence that sending British troops to die in Afghanistan is "the only way to make Britain safe" sounds ever more threadbare each time he and his ministers repeat it after the announcement of yet another senseless loss of life.
We are in complete agreement with MP Jeremy Corbyn, who, on hearing of the latest futile death of a British soldier, said: "What a tragedy, what a waste. And for what purpose? It's time to bring the troops home."
To commemorate all the soldiers who have died, Stop the War will hold a Naming of the Dead ceremony at The Cenotaph in Whitehall at 12 noon on Monday 17 August, when we will read out all 200 names, together with the names of Afghan civilians representing the tens of thousands who have died so needlessly.
Over the coming week, Stop the War's local groups will be holding Naming the Dead ceremonies in towns and cities across the country.
Details of local Naming the Dead ceremonies...Thursday, 6 August 2009
Solidarity with Ibrahim Avcil: defend the right to protest
Yesterday's protest outside Stoke Newington Police Station saw around 30 people gather to support Ibrahim Avcil, chair of Refugee Workers' Cultural Association (GIK-DER) and Stop the War activist.
Ibrahim has been charged with common assault and with threatening words and behaviour and will appear before Bow Magistrates Court on Thursday 13 August. These charges are connected to the protests that Hackney Stop the War has been holding to get the Army Showroom in Kingsland Shopping Centre closed down. They are designed to try and gag protest, as is shown by Ibrahim's outrageous bail conditions: he is not allowed within 30 metres of the Shopping Centre entrance.
Hackney Stop the War is asking its supporters to show their solidarity with Ibrahim by assembling at 9am on Thursday 13 August, at Bow Magistrates Court, 58 Bow Road, E3 4DJ. This is very near Bow Road tube station and on the 425 bus route.
Gareth Jenkins
Sec. Hackney Stop The War
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