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
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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
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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.
*********************************
--
Showing posts with label solidarity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solidarity. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Afghanistan day of protest: 27 march
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Mon 21 Dec: join military families handing in petition to Downing Street
Please come to these two protests, next Monday and the Sunday after Xmas.
4) Tony Blair is likely to appear at the Iraq Inquiry in January
and Stop the War's officers are discussing plans for how best
to give him a warm reception.
On 28 January, Gordon Brown's international conference on
Afghanistan, which will be attended by Hamid Karzai, president
of Afghanistan in name but not legitimacy. Stop the War will
of course be organising protests and other events, details of
which will be published soon.
It may not have been called, but the general election campaign
has effectively started, with suggestions the date may be as
early as March. Stop the War intends to ensure that the wars
in Afghanistan and Iraq are central issues in the election.
*********************************
Hackney Stop The War sends best wishes to all our members and supporters for the New Year.
1) DECEMBER 21 MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
3) Thanks to everyone who supported the protest outside Kingsland Shopping Centre 12 Dec.
4) Activity in the New Year
***************************
1) DECEMBER 21 MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
With another two soldiers killed, bringing the total in 2009
to 102, the delivering of our Bring the Troops Home petition
to Downing Street on Monday 21 December, 5pm, could not be
more timely.
Military families are coming from around the country, with
their supporters, to take the petition to Gordon Brown's door.
They will be joined by former soldiers.
The families have asked for as much support as possible.
Hackney Stop the War banner will be present.
Stop the War thanks everyone for their efforts in collecting signatures for the
petition. It doesn't yet have a total figure because petition
sheets are still coming into the office, but tens of thousands
of signatures have been collected.
MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
BRING THE TROOPS HOME
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER, 5PM
DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL, SW1A 2AA
PLEASE SUPPORT IF YOU CAN
For more information see: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
***************************
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
Sunday 28 December will be exactly one year since the start of
Israel's attack on Gaza and there will be worldwide protest
marking the anniversary.
The UK protest will be at the Israeli Embassy in London from
3-5pm. It has been called by Palestine Solidarity Campaign,
Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament and many other organisations and
campaigns (For full list here:and details of Remember Gaza
events around the UK, go to http://bit.ly/5bxUAn )
With a British Court having issued a summons for the arrest of
Tzipi Livni (see http://bit.ly/8b11ul) - one of the three
Israeli ministers who led the Gaza onslaught - the issue of
war crimes, the need for Israel to be brought to account for
war crimes now documented by the UN's Goldstone report, is as
urgent as ever.
The protest at the Israeli embassy will also be calling for an
end to the Gaza siege, through which Israel is strangling all
aspects of civil life for one million Palestinians.
Please publicise the protest as widely as possible.
REMEMBER GAZA: END THE SIEGE
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2009 3-5PM
HIGH STREET KENSINGTON LONDON W8
(High St Kensington tube station)
***************************
1) DECEMBER 21 MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
With another two soldiers killed, bringing the total in 2009
to 102, the delivering of our Bring the Troops Home petition
to Downing Street on Monday 21 December, 5pm, could not be
more timely.
Military families are coming from around the country, with
their supporters, to take the petition to Gordon Brown's door.
They will be joined by former soldiers.
The families have asked for as much support as possible.
Hackney Stop the War banner will be present.
Stop the War thanks everyone for their efforts in collecting signatures for the
petition. It doesn't yet have a total figure because petition
sheets are still coming into the office, but tens of thousands
of signatures have been collected.
MILITARY FAMILIES DELIVER PETITION TO GORDON BROWN
BRING THE TROOPS HOME
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER, 5PM
DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL, SW1A 2AA
PLEASE SUPPORT IF YOU CAN
For more information see: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
***************************
2) GAZA PROTEST AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER
Sunday 28 December will be exactly one year since the start of
Israel's attack on Gaza and there will be worldwide protest
marking the anniversary.
The UK protest will be at the Israeli Embassy in London from
3-5pm. It has been called by Palestine Solidarity Campaign,
Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament and many other organisations and
campaigns (For full list here:and details of Remember Gaza
events around the UK, go to http://bit.ly/5bxUAn )
With a British Court having issued a summons for the arrest of
Tzipi Livni (see http://bit.ly/8b11ul) - one of the three
Israeli ministers who led the Gaza onslaught - the issue of
war crimes, the need for Israel to be brought to account for
war crimes now documented by the UN's Goldstone report, is as
urgent as ever.
The protest at the Israeli embassy will also be calling for an
end to the Gaza siege, through which Israel is strangling all
aspects of civil life for one million Palestinians.
Please publicise the protest as widely as possible.
REMEMBER GAZA: END THE SIEGE
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2009 3-5PM
HIGH STREET KENSINGTON LONDON W8
(High St Kensington tube station)
***************************
3) Thanks to everyone who came to the 40 strong protest outside the Army Show Room at the Kingsland Shopping Centre on Sat 12 Dec.
We collected signatures to bring the troops home and got people to sign a xmas card for Joe Glenton, the soldier who courageously refuses to fight in Afghanistan and who faces the prospect of up to 10 years in prison.
We also remembered the 100 British soldiers killed this year, together with the many Afghan civilians who have lost their lives in this pointless war, and demanded the Army Show Room be shut down.
We got a very good response.
****************************
Finally....
4) Tony Blair is likely to appear at the Iraq Inquiry in January
and Stop the War's officers are discussing plans for how best
to give him a warm reception.
On 28 January, Gordon Brown's international conference on
Afghanistan, which will be attended by Hamid Karzai, president
of Afghanistan in name but not legitimacy. Stop the War will
of course be organising protests and other events, details of
which will be published soon.
It may not have been called, but the general election campaign
has effectively started, with suggestions the date may be as
early as March. Stop the War intends to ensure that the wars
in Afghanistan and Iraq are central issues in the election.
******************************
Hackney Stop The War sends best wishes to all our members and supporters for the New Year.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Why have 100 soldiers died in Afghanistan this year?
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1130 07 December 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel:020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
**********************************
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) WHY HAVE 100 SOLDIERS DIED IN AFGHANISTAN THIS YEAR?
2) MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST AT DOWNING STREET
3) MEETING: FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN
4) PICKET AT JOE GLENTON'S COURT HEARING
5) FREE JOE GLENTON T-SHIRT
6) LIVE IN LONDON? COME TO OUR XMAS PARTY
7) SONG OF THE WEEK
**********************************
1) WHY HAVE 100 SOLDIERS DIED IN AFGHANISTAN THIS YEAR
The hundredth British soldier to die in Afghanistan this year
was killed because Gordon Brown refuses to learn the lesson of
history: that the people of Afghanistan never accept
occupation by foreign powers.
He died fighting to support one of the most corrupt
governments in the world, which is dominated by war lords and
drug barons and which has no legitimacy following a
breathtakingly fraudulent election.
Gordon Brown says he died to safeguard Britain against
terrorist attack. But no Afghan has ever attacked Britain or
any other country.
He died, says Brown, to help defeat al-Qaeda. But more British
soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in 2009 than the
total number of al-Qaeda in the country, which the US
government admits is just a few dozen.
By increasing the number of British troops sent to kill and be
killed in Afghanistan to over 10,000, Gordon Brown has
condemned many more soldiers and countless Afghans to die in
this unjustified and unwinnable war.
NAMING THE DEAD VIGILS
To mark the 100th death this year, Stop the War groups across
the country will hold vigils and naming the dead ceremonies,
at which the names of all 100 soldiers killed will be read
out, together with the names of 100 Afghans, to represent the
countless thousands who have died. If you would like to join
an event in your area, please contact the Stop the War office
for details: office@stopwar.org.uk or call
**********************************
2) MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST AT DOWNING STREET
The tragically inevitable death of the 100th soldier to die in
2009 gives even more focus to the military families protest at
Downing Street, 5pm, on Monday 21 December.
The families, who have either lost loved ones in Afghanistan
or have relatives currently serving, together with friends ,
supporters and former soldiers, will deliver to Gordon Brown
Stop the War's Bring the Troops Home petition, numbering tens
of thousands of signatures.
The families have asked for the widest possible support for
their protest. If you live in London, please join them if you
can.
MILITARY FAMILIES PROTEST AT DOWNING STREET
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER AT 5PM
DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL, LONDON
For more details: http://bit.ly/4Z3eCR
BRING THE TROOPS HOME PETITION:
Sign online: http://bit.ly/8jLhRk
Download to print and collect signatures: http://bit.ly/rNaTZ
If you would like to help collect signatures in your area,
please contact the Stop the War office: Email
office@stopwar.org.uk or call
**********************************
3) MEETING: FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN
Paul Flynn MP hosts a Stop the War briefing meeting at the
House of Commons on Wednesday 9 December. The meeting is open
to all and will provide up to date discussion of the
Afghanistan War, following Gordon Brown's troop surge, and an
expert briefing on the Iraq Inquiry.
FROM IRAQ TO AFGHANISTAN
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 7PM
HOUSE OF COMMONS
PORTCULLIS HOUSE, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE ROAD
LONDON SW1
Hosted by Paul Flynn MP
Speakers include Sabah Jawad and Sami Ramadani from Iraqi
Democrats Against Occupation and Carol Turner from Stop the
War Coalition.
To download flyer, go to: http://bit.ly/8s0tjh
**********************************
4) PICKET AT JOE GLENTON'S COURT HEARING
Stop the War has called a picket of the court hearing on 16
December, which will decide if Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who
faces court martial for refusing to serve in Afghanistan (SEE
http://bit.ly/2vHCKR), is to be released from prison to spend
Christmas with his family. If you live in London and are able
to attend, your support will be much appreciated.
STOP THE WAR PICKET:
WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER, 9.30AM,
OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
81 CHANCERY LANE, LONDON WC22A 1BQ
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT TO JOE
* Email: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
* Write letters, cards etc to:
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Military Corrective Training Centre
Berechurch Hall Camp
Colchester CO2 9NU
**********************************
6) FREE JOE GLENTON T-SHIRT
Stop the War has produced a Free Joe Glenton t-shirt. Picture,
more information and to order, go to: http://bit.ly/1u7UJF
**********************************
7) LIVE IN LONDON? COME TO OUR XMAS PARTY
Stop the War's Xmas Party on Friday 11 December is open to all
our supporters. Admission is free. This will also be the
launch event for Stop the War's archive, which is being housed
at the Bishopsgate Institute. There will be a showcase
representing Stop the War's campaigns for peace over eight
years, since its founding in 2001.
STOP THE WAR'S XMAS PARTY AND LAUNCH
EXHIBITION OF STOP THE WAR'S ARCHIVE
FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 7-10 PM
BISHOPSGATE INSTITUTE
230 BISHOPSGATE LONDON EC2M 4QH
(Opposite Liverpool Street Station)
**********************************
7) SONG OF THE WEEK
Universal Soldier, written by Buffy Sainte-Marie, performed by
Donovan. To hear, go to: http://bit.ly/6SHteY
Friday, 4 December 2009
Viva Palestina
รงThe next Viva Palestina convoy, supported by Stop the War, is going to be a huge international gathering delivering aid to the people of Gaza on 27 December, the anniversary of Israel's barbaric invasion at the turn of 2009.
The Israeli seige of Gaza prevents essential resources reaching Palestinians trapped in the world's most densely populated area. Convoys from Britain, the United States and Turkey, packed with aid donated by the people of those countries, will converge on Gaza to break that seige.
The UK convoy departs on 6 December. For more details and to donate, go to: www.vivapalestina.org
In addition a local Stop the War supporter is joining the convoy....
Dear all
I'm joining the upcoming Viva Palestina convoy. We will be leaving London on 5 December with lorries, minibuses and ambulances full of medical and other supplies and hoping to enter Gaza on 27 December. All our vehicles and equipment, as well as the aid, will be left in Gaza.
There are only 7 days to go, and we urgently need YOUR MONEY! Please please please, consider giving something to help us break the siege and bring urgently-needed medical aid to the people of Gaza.
Everything you can give really will make a difference, so please give extremely generously! And if you're short of dosh, consider asking someone to donate an early Christmas present on your behalf :)
Peace, love and freedom fighting
------------------------
Joti Brar
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Dear L/Cpl Joe Glenton, you are an inspiration to us all
Messages of support are pouring in for Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who has been arrested for refusing to return to Afghanistan, leading an anti-war demonstration in London on 24 October 2009 and speaking to the media in defiance of orders. The charges carry a maximum of ten years imprisonment.
14 November 2009
Write: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB • FAX: 020 7218 6538
Petition: Download the Defend Joe Glenton petition...
Messages of Support: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
14 November 2009
Send your message of support to defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
Selection of messages of support for Joe Glenton
Malalai Joya, Afghan MP, often called "the bravest women in Afghanistan": Dear Joe, Stay strong! The majority of the Afghan people are with you and we respect and admire the stand you have taken. When there is no justice, it is better for honest people to go even to jail rather than go to war. Down with the occupation. I send you my warmest greetings and solidarity.
Caroline Lucas MEP, leader of the Green Party: Dear Lance Corporal Glenton, I would like to express my admiration for your decision to take a courageous and principled stand against the war in Afghanistan. You have the support of the many people in the UK and abroad who passionately oppose this ongoing conflict, which increasingly appears unwinnable. I hope your heroic resistance to the reckless and misguided foreign policy played out in Afghanistan will increase the pressure on the UK Government to accelerate an exit strategy and withdraw our troops.
12 November 2009: Demonstration in support of Joe Glenton, Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London
Gareth Hill: Only one in 5 people in this country believe that the war in Afghanistan is just and is about defending our freedom and successfully protecting us from terrorism. Your moral stand against the war is both heroic and reflects the views of our entire country.
Dr Douglas Reid: Chin up, Joe! Good for you! You are one of a long line of British people who have followed their consciences and sooner or later changed government policy.
Joe Jenkins: There are literally millions of people who approve of what you are doing. The military-industrial complex will try all it can to dishearten you and dishonour what you’re trying to achieve. Your courageous action is an inspiration.
B. Ormondroyd: Full support for Joe. l served in the RAF - to defend Britain, not to invade other countries on questionable grounds.
Lisa Anning: I've the utmost admiration for the stand you're taking, and for the part you're playing in galvanising public opinion against this awful war. I come from a military family myself, and can fully understand the gravity of your decision to defy orders. But I believe there's a huge latent groundswell of public opinion in this country against endlessly continuing this futile campaign, which is wrecking so many families and taking so many young lives. We need figureheads like yourself to act as a public focus for that opposition, to help mobilise and articulate protest to the powers that be. I wish you every success, and hope common sense will prevail. Your efforts aren't in vain and you should be proud of what you've achieved.
Kay: I and everyone I know, plus the majority of the country, support you and your decision not to risk your life by returning to the futile, pointless and horrific war in Afghanistan. We all admire your courage and your principles. If only other young soldiers took your stand, this war would come to an end and there would be no more wasted young lives. Why shouldn't you speak out and follow your principles? Good luck to you! I shall be following your progress and if there are any protest meetings I'll do my best to get there.
Peter Waterman: I had to do my compulsory military service some 50 years ago. Because of my left political background (of which I made no secret) I was confined to the rank of private and the function of truck-driving. Fortunately I was not required to take part in any war being waged by British military and political elites against any 'disobedient natives' or 'evil empires'. If I had been, I am not sure I would have had the courage you have shown. In the conflict between duty and truth, you have chosen the right one: truth trumps obedience or we are on our way to 1984. It may be a long and lonely struggle, mate. But my guess is that a lot of good people are going to support you.
Sharmila Sengupta and Ela Sengupta: We support you,with all our hearts. We want to do all we possibly can for you. You are a true soldier,one who fights for peace and justice. Try and hang in there. It must be hard,awfully hard, but you will come out the other side. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Robin Carvell: You've stood up when so many others have not. Your actions are admirable and I believe you are a soldier in the truest sence as you are fighting now, without a gun, in order to bring peace and safety. Your involvement in the information war is of great value. I support you in your actions and want you to know that many others do too. Please remember this if times get hard. You're grasping the nettle for all of us here and those in Iraq and Afganistan - for millions. If there's a heaven, this action would surely let you in.
Dr. Beata Binkowska: I'm fully supporting your fight against the war and your rights to refuse to be forced to go to war in Afghanistan! I also appealed to some of my colleagues in Gateng Health Department to support your plea! Here in Africa,now, we also urgently need to create awareness campaign against war criminals who benefit from selling death all over the world and create never ending areas of conflict and killing fields! This mass murder called war, must stop! With my great respect for your courage and determination.
Anne & Richard Watson: We think it is appalling that you have been arrested simply for telling the truth and refusing to fight in Afghanistan. This is an absolute travesty of democracy and we are protesting to the Ministry of Defence and anyone else we can think of. We heard you speak at Trafalgar Square and consider you to be a very brave man. If only there were more like you. Stay strong.
Stephen Watson: Years ago I read a quote which said "War will end only when men refuse to fight" and it has always remained with me. I admire your decision enormously and I wish you the very best in helping our government, and others, to see sense where there seem to be none at present. I believe that the invasion of Iraq was cooked up under a false pretext, as was Afghanistan and it is clear with all the talk around Iran and their 'nuclear programme' (despite no evidence) is sounding eerily familiar. The world is hurting enough from the way we currently live our lives and the one thing humanity does not need are more wars to pile on the agony.
Ghada Razuki: I heard you speak on the demo on the 24th October and thought that you were brilliant. It takes a brave person to speak out and go against the main stream but I want you to know that there are many people like me who really appreciate the sacrifice that you have made so that hopefully others do not have to die or be brutally injured whether British Soldiers or Afghanis. If sometimes you feel alone in your cell please don't as we are all thinking of you and Clare.
Ghazala: I would just like to express my admiration to you for making a stand against the war. Keep up the good work, you truly are a man of bravery. I shall hope and pray for your wellbeing.
Andree Duguy: I admire you for standing for what you believe is right regardless of the consequences. I fully support your actions and wish that more sloldiers felt like you. Blair and Brown are criminals and should be tried for their crimes. They should be the ones to go to prison and not you. How can Brown and the likes of him still support a war which cannot be won and is unjust. soldiers as well as civilians die everyday for no reason so that supposedly we in Britain feel more secure . How can we be so arrogant and attack a country which has done nothing to us.
Gerry Poole, co-chair Merseyside CND: Well done Joe, a soldier has the right to speak out against actions which he finds repugnant and not glibly obey orders. At Nuremberg the Nazis stated they were only obeying orders when charged with war crimes, but they were still sentenced.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your other comrades who are opposed to this debacle in Afghanistan.
Kev White: It's a lot eaisier to go with the flow than what it is to do the right thing. Total respect to yourself, Ben Griffin, and others who have had the courage to say no. Anything I can do to help, let me know.
Annette Lillig: I salute you for your courage to do what many would like to do. That's why they prosecute you, but others will follow you. One day you'll be a national hero, so, chin up! This mess will not go on for ever. With love and prayers.
Richard Jones & Kath Eilbeck: Take heart - you have spoken out for all of us. Let us know what we can do to help.
Alun Llewelyn: I was on the Stop the War march last month and I was proud the be led by a soldier that is prepared to stand up and say what I believe many of the troops in Afghanistan and in Britain think. It is the only way this government will be forced to abandon their role in that country if the soldiers will support your brave stance.
Fabrizio: I would just like to express my admiration for your courage to stand up against the government and all its institutions. In my opinion speaking out at a time like this despite all opposition is truly a courageous act standing up for justice which few, in the view of being singled out, are able to do. I think that your opposition to the occupation of afghanistan has won the anti war movement many supporters who were before either easily manipulated by the government and the media or just afraid of stepping out from the flock. Your opposition to war is a giant step towards ending these wars of aggression and ultimately, for democracy.
Hasina Khan: You are a true hero for standing up for what you and we believe in and you are much cherished by all those who oppose brutality and wish for peace, justice and equality. Peace and respect.
Eric Westacott, Ret. Lance Corp. 43/1st Swiss Army Medical Corp: Joe, myself and my family send you our full support in what actions you are taking. It is a crime what the military and governemnt is doing to you and your fellow soldiers. One day soon you will be free again, until then try to stay calm and relaxed and find ways to fill your time with good thoughts also towards those who make you suffer. Imagine yourself free and walking away and you will very soon.
Paula Clare Yates: You are a great inspiration to everyone for protesting and speaking out against the futile war in Afganistan which most people now believe is increasing terrorism.
David McQueen: I'm really sorry to hear about your arrest. The best way we can honour our dead is to not fight any more wars, especially unwinnable wars. Like the US soldiers who protested against Vietnam you are being punished for speaking the truth, but like them your struggle will be remembered as the most courageous stand in the face of a military machine that can't understand that it will never conquer Afghanistan.
Dan Viesnik: I just wanted to express to you, Joe, my admiration for your incredibly brave stand against the war in Afghanistan and the establishment and to wish you all the very best. I think it is fair to say that peace activists all around the world are with you all the way.
How to support Lance Corporal Joe Glenton
Email: Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth: defencesecretary@mod.uk or ainsworthr@parliament.ukWrite: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB • FAX: 020 7218 6538
Petition: Download the Defend Joe Glenton petition...
Messages of Support: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com
Monday, 9 November 2009
Action stations over Afghanistan
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1124 09 November 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://.stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
The war effort in Afghanistan is starting to fall apart at the
seams. We will shortly reach the hundredth British soldier's
death this year, and there is talk in military circles of
withdrawing British troops from the frontline.
There is growing opposition amongst MPs as well as unease
amongst senior military figures. The Independent on Sunday
called for the end of the war on its front page yesterday and
other papers are becoming very critical of the war.
Most important of all, 73% of the population now believe the
troops should be brought home soon and there is growing
opposition to the war amongst the troops.
Now is the time to step up the pressure on government to bring
the troops home.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
-We have produced a 'Bring the Troops Home' postcard designed
to send to your local MP. It is available from the office.
Please phone if you want us to send you some.
-Stop the War groups will be organising protests and vigils
around the country on the tragic day when the hundredth
British soldier this year dies. The figure now stands at 95.
Please contact your local Stop the War group for details. You
can find the contact details for the groups on the website.
-On December 21st, members of soldiers, ex-soldiers and
military families will be taking our Bring the Troops Home
Petition to Gordon Brown in Downing Street. More than 15,000
have already signed, but we want to get many more signatures
before December 21st. You can sign online at
http://bit.ly/ft6BP, but we are also asking everyone to
download a hard copy of the petition, get your colleagues and
friends to sign and return to the office.
Also mark down the date December 21st, and get ready to come
down and support the families at Downing Street that evening.
SPECIAL LONDON ACTIVIST MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN
We have called an urgent activist meeting to discuss the
crisis and the campaign tomorrow night (Tuesday 10th
November). We are asking as many of our supporters as possible
to attend.
SPECIAL MEETING
6PM TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER
INDIAN YMCA, 41 FITZROY SQUARE W1T 6AQ
NEAREST TUBE WARREN STREET.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
200 dead and no support on the home front?
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER
No. 1111 14 August 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://www.stopwar.org.uk ;
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) 200 DEAD AND NO SUPPORT ON THE HOME FRONT?
2) WE'RE LOSING SAYS US ARMY COMMANDER
3) RESOLUTION: OCT 24 NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
4) NATIONAL STUDENTS CONFERENCE: 19 SEPTEMBER
5) ORGANISING AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA
6) VIDEO: THE QUESTIONS THE IRAQ INQUIRY MUST ASK
7) LANCE CORPORAL JOE GLENTON: UPDATE
8) BEATS BEAT BULLETS: 19 AUGUST
9) LINDSEY GERMAN'S BLOG
10) FOLLOW STOP THE WAR ON TWITTER
*******************************
1) 200 DEAD AND NO SUPPORT ON THE HOME FRONT?
As we approach the milestone of the 200th soldier to be killed
in Afghanistan, defence minister Bob Ainsworth seems to be
ever present in the media grieving over yet another death but
insisting that the "sacrifice" was for the worthy cause of
"defending us from terrorists and extremists".
The idea never passes Ainsworth's lips that the terrorism on
British streets -- such as the 7/7 bombings in 2005 -- have
all been home grown and directly linked to the extremism of
British and American warmongering, which has slaughtered
hundreds of thousands in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Instead we now get Ainsworth berating the British public "on
the home front" for not giving enough support to the troops in
Afghanistan. In fact, the majority of people in this country
do support the troops, but think the only way to do this is by
bringing them all home from a senseless and unwinnable war.
This will be the main message carried by local Stop the War
groups around the country when they hold NAMING THE DEAD
ceremonies on the first Saturday following the 200th British
soldier to be killed. The names of Afghan civilians -- tens of
thousands of whom have died -- will also be read out.
If you would like to join in a NAMING THE DEAD ceremony in
your area, a list of Stop the War groups planning events is
available here: http://bit.ly/3cPI3i
If no event is listed for your area, and you want to be
involved, please contact the national Stop the War office:
email office@stopwar.org.uk or call 020 7801 2768.
*******************************
2) WE'RE LOSING SAYS US ARMY COMMANDER
General Stanley McChrystal, the recently appointed commander
of the US army in Afghanistan, has given an extraordinary
interview to the Wall Street Journal, in which he says America
is losing the war and the military has got one year to get
results before public support evaporates. Read the interview
here: http://bit.ly/1mQ50M
*******************************
3) RESOLUTION: OCT 24 NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
Stop the War has produced the following model resolution on
the Afghanistan war, for use by trade unions and other
organisations or groups:
This {branch/group} notes that nearly 200 British soldiers
have now died in Afghanistan alongside a far greater number of
Afghan civilians and that the military situation there
continues to deteriorate. It further notes that the Afghan
government has lost all domestic and international credibility
due to its corruption, involvement in the drug trade,
warlordism and repressive legislation, which is aimed against
women in particular.
We also note that the military conflict is spilling over into
Pakistan with potentially catastrophic consequences.
We believe that there needs urgently to be a political
solution to the crisis in Afghanistan, which can only be
achieved by the Afghan people themselves without external
interference. One of the essential pre-requisites for such a
solution is the ending of the war and the withdrawal of all
foreign troops.
We therefore support the demonstration on troop withdrawal
called for October 24 in London and pledge to mobilise for a
large turnout.
The Resolution can be downloaded as a Word file here:
http://bit.ly/g1VQa
*******************************
4) NATIONAL STUDENTS CONFERENCE: 19 SEPTEMBER
This has been a momentous year in student anti-war activity,
not least following Israel's barbaric attack on Gaza in
January. Occupations of universities and colleges swept the
country, many of which were successful in winning scholarships
for Palestinian students, the commitment of aid and support to
Gaza and twinning with Palestinian universities.
The Stop the War National Student Conference will take place
on Saturday 19 September and will bring together students and
young people from across the country for discussions and
debates on strategy and tactics, the rise of Islamophobia,
Barack Obama, the "war on terror" and much more.
Keynote speakers include the Israeli historian Ilan Pappe,
Shamiul Joarder from Friends of Al Aqsa and the musician/MC
Lowkey.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF HOW TO REGISTER, GO TO:
http://bit.ly/3fxLpu
*******************************
5) ORGANISING AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA
The level of Islamophobia is at alarmingly high levels in
Britain. Recent media articles have included tabloid
journalists reporting on wearing the burka -- like a prison
was their verdict -- and a scare story in the Telegraph
claiming that within 40 years Europe will be dominated by
Muslims.
The anti-Muslim demonstration in Birmingham last weekend --
with its slogan "Muslim bombers off our streets" -- was
thankfully met with a much larger counter demonstration. But
the organisers, calling themselves the English Defence League,
threaten to repeat their racist parades elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the fascist British National Party continues to
make Muslims and Islam the main focus of its poisonous
campaigns seeking the racist vote.
It is against this background that an organisation against
Islamophobia, titled Kafa (Arabic for Enough) was set up
recently, with support from Stop the War Coalition. A series
of public meetings in major cities and towns is planned for
the autumn months.
If you would like more information about Kafa/Enough or would
like to help organise a public meeting in your area, please
contact Shamiul via the Stop the War office: Email
office@stopwar.org.uk Tel 020 7801 2768
*******************************
6) VIDEO: THE QUESTIONS THE IRAQ INQUIRY MUST ASK
This 20 minute film, written and presented by Stop the War
officer John Rees, gives the background to the Iraq Inquiry,
exposes the decidedly worrying opinions of its panel and
defines the questions which will need to be answered if
widespread cynicism as to the inquiry's real purpose is to be
refuted. It can be watched here: http://bit.ly/4kJQuH
TOEING THE LYNE
Arising from the research John did for the film is this
article revealing the extent to which Sir Roderic Lyne is an
"independent" member of the Iraq Inquiry panel:
http://bit.ly/9kqlx
*******************************
7) LANCE CORPORAL JOE GLENTON: UPDATE
The next hearing in the court martial proceedings against
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton -- for refusing to return to
Afghanistan -- will be in September. He now faces an
additional charge for opposing and speaking out publicly
against the war.
Many messages of support for Joe have been sent from around
the world, this one, from Clare Tremper in Seattle USA, being
typical:
"I detest the US wars/occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq. I
thank you for standing up for what is just at the cost of a
threat to your personal freedom. You are what is noble and
right in humanity."
EMAIL YOUR SUPPORT TO: joeisinnocent@hotmail.co.uk.
DOWNLOAD THE DEFEND CORPORAL JOE GLENTON PETITION:
http://bit.ly/10gDKb
ANOTHER SOLDIER SPEAKS OUT
Since Joe Glenton made his stand, another soldier has spoken
out against the war. He is a captain serving on the front line
in Afghanistan, who gives a brutally honest account of a
conflict that seems unending and unwinnable, which you can
read here: http://bit.ly/Jhn9g
*******************************
8) BEATS BEAT BULLETS: 19 AUGUST
Appearing at the Beats Not Bullets fundraising gig for Stop
the War in London on 19 August are Ras Kwame, DJ Kayper,
Deadly Hunta, Purple Simba and Lowkey: 8pm Vibe Bar, 91 Brick
Lane, London E1 6QL. Full details are on the Start the Music
website: http://bit.ly/iL0HG
*******************************
9) LINDSEY GERMAN'S BLOG
Lindsey German, national convenor of Stop the War writes a
regular blog for which recent subjects include the lack of
home support for the war in Afghanistan and the continuing
rise of Islamophobia. You can read the current blog here:
http://bit.ly/C9Obf, or by selecting it from the News &
Analysis menu on the Stop the War website.
*******************************
10) FOLLOW STOP THE WAR ON TWITTER
Go here to sign up to follow Stop the War:
http://twitter.com/STWuk
NEWSLETTER
No. 1111 14 August 2009
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://www.stopwar.org.uk ;
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) 200 DEAD AND NO SUPPORT ON THE HOME FRONT?
2) WE'RE LOSING SAYS US ARMY COMMANDER
3) RESOLUTION: OCT 24 NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
4) NATIONAL STUDENTS CONFERENCE: 19 SEPTEMBER
5) ORGANISING AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA
6) VIDEO: THE QUESTIONS THE IRAQ INQUIRY MUST ASK
7) LANCE CORPORAL JOE GLENTON: UPDATE
8) BEATS BEAT BULLETS: 19 AUGUST
9) LINDSEY GERMAN'S BLOG
10) FOLLOW STOP THE WAR ON TWITTER
******************************
1) 200 DEAD AND NO SUPPORT ON THE HOME FRONT?
As we approach the milestone of the 200th soldier to be killed
in Afghanistan, defence minister Bob Ainsworth seems to be
ever present in the media grieving over yet another death but
insisting that the "sacrifice" was for the worthy cause of
"defending us from terrorists and extremists".
The idea never passes Ainsworth's lips that the terrorism on
British streets -- such as the 7/7 bombings in 2005 -- have
all been home grown and directly linked to the extremism of
British and American warmongering, which has slaughtered
hundreds of thousands in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Instead we now get Ainsworth berating the British public "on
the home front" for not giving enough support to the troops in
Afghanistan. In fact, the majority of people in this country
do support the troops, but think the only way to do this is by
bringing them all home from a senseless and unwinnable war.
This will be the main message carried by local Stop the War
groups around the country when they hold NAMING THE DEAD
ceremonies on the first Saturday following the 200th British
soldier to be killed. The names of Afghan civilians -- tens of
thousands of whom have died -- will also be read out.
If you would like to join in a NAMING THE DEAD ceremony in
your area, a list of Stop the War groups planning events is
available here: http://bit.ly/3cPI3i
If no event is listed for your area, and you want to be
involved, please contact the national Stop the War office:
email office@stopwar.org.uk or call 020 7801 2768.
******************************
2) WE'RE LOSING SAYS US ARMY COMMANDER
General Stanley McChrystal, the recently appointed commander
of the US army in Afghanistan, has given an extraordinary
interview to the Wall Street Journal, in which he says America
is losing the war and the military has got one year to get
results before public support evaporates. Read the interview
here: http://bit.ly/1mQ50M
******************************
3) RESOLUTION: OCT 24 NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
Stop the War has produced the following model resolution on
the Afghanistan war, for use by trade unions and other
organisations or groups:
This {branch/group} notes that nearly 200 British soldiers
have now died in Afghanistan alongside a far greater number of
Afghan civilians and that the military situation there
continues to deteriorate. It further notes that the Afghan
government has lost all domestic and international credibility
due to its corruption, involvement in the drug trade,
warlordism and repressive legislation, which is aimed against
women in particular.
We also note that the military conflict is spilling over into
Pakistan with potentially catastrophic consequences.
We believe that there needs urgently to be a political
solution to the crisis in Afghanistan, which can only be
achieved by the Afghan people themselves without external
interference. One of the essential pre-requisites for such a
solution is the ending of the war and the withdrawal of all
foreign troops.
We therefore support the demonstration on troop withdrawal
called for October 24 in London and pledge to mobilise for a
large turnout.
The Resolution can be downloaded as a Word file here:
http://bit.ly/g1VQa
******************************
4) NATIONAL STUDENTS CONFERENCE: 19 SEPTEMBER
This has been a momentous year in student anti-war activity,
not least following Israel's barbaric attack on Gaza in
January. Occupations of universities and colleges swept the
country, many of which were successful in winning scholarships
for Palestinian students, the commitment of aid and support to
Gaza and twinning with Palestinian universities.
The Stop the War National Student Conference will take place
on Saturday 19 September and will bring together students and
young people from across the country for discussions and
debates on strategy and tactics, the rise of Islamophobia,
Barack Obama, the "war on terror" and much more.
Keynote speakers include the Israeli historian Ilan Pappe,
Shamiul Joarder from Friends of Al Aqsa and the musician/MC
Lowkey.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF HOW TO REGISTER, GO TO:
http://bit.ly/3fxLpu
******************************
5) ORGANISING AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA
The level of Islamophobia is at alarmingly high levels in
Britain. Recent media articles have included tabloid
journalists reporting on wearing the burka -- like a prison
was their verdict -- and a scare story in the Telegraph
claiming that within 40 years Europe will be dominated by
Muslims.
The anti-Muslim demonstration in Birmingham last weekend --
with its slogan "Muslim bombers off our streets" -- was
thankfully met with a much larger counter demonstration. But
the organisers, calling themselves the English Defence League,
threaten to repeat their racist parades elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the fascist British National Party continues to
make Muslims and Islam the main focus of its poisonous
campaigns seeking the racist vote.
It is against this background that an organisation against
Islamophobia, titled Kafa (Arabic for Enough) was set up
recently, with support from Stop the War Coalition. A series
of public meetings in major cities and towns is planned for
the autumn months.
If you would like more information about Kafa/Enough or would
like to help organise a public meeting in your area, please
contact Shamiul via the Stop the War office: Email
office@stopwar.org.uk Tel 020 7801 2768
******************************
6) VIDEO: THE QUESTIONS THE IRAQ INQUIRY MUST ASK
This 20 minute film, written and presented by Stop the War
officer John Rees, gives the background to the Iraq Inquiry,
exposes the decidedly worrying opinions of its panel and
defines the questions which will need to be answered if
widespread cynicism as to the inquiry's real purpose is to be
refuted. It can be watched here: http://bit.ly/4kJQuH
TOEING THE LYNE
Arising from the research John did for the film is this
article revealing the extent to which Sir Roderic Lyne is an
"independent" member of the Iraq Inquiry panel:
http://bit.ly/9kqlx
******************************
7) LANCE CORPORAL JOE GLENTON: UPDATE
The next hearing in the court martial proceedings against
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton -- for refusing to return to
Afghanistan -- will be in September. He now faces an
additional charge for opposing and speaking out publicly
against the war.
Many messages of support for Joe have been sent from around
the world, this one, from Clare Tremper in Seattle USA, being
typical:
"I detest the US wars/occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq. I
thank you for standing up for what is just at the cost of a
threat to your personal freedom. You are what is noble and
right in humanity."
EMAIL YOUR SUPPORT TO: joeisinnocent@hotmail.co.uk.
DOWNLOAD THE DEFEND CORPORAL JOE GLENTON PETITION:
http://bit.ly/10gDKb
ANOTHER SOLDIER SPEAKS OUT
Since Joe Glenton made his stand, another soldier has spoken
out against the war. He is a captain serving on the front line
in Afghanistan, who gives a brutally honest account of a
conflict that seems unending and unwinnable, which you can
read here: http://bit.ly/Jhn9g
******************************
8) BEATS BEAT BULLETS: 19 AUGUST
Appearing at the Beats Not Bullets fundraising gig for Stop
the War in London on 19 August are Ras Kwame, DJ Kayper,
Deadly Hunta, Purple Simba and Lowkey: 8pm Vibe Bar, 91 Brick
Lane, London E1 6QL. Full details are on the Start the Music
website: http://bit.ly/iL0HG
******************************
9) LINDSEY GERMAN'S BLOG
Lindsey German, national convenor of Stop the War writes a
regular blog for which recent subjects include the lack of
home support for the war in Afghanistan and the continuing
rise of Islamophobia. You can read the current blog here:
http://bit.ly/C9Obf, or by selecting it from the News &
Analysis menu on the Stop the War website.
******************************
10) FOLLOW STOP THE WAR ON TWITTER
Go here to sign up to follow Stop the War:
http://twitter.com/STWuk
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
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Solidarity needed with Ibrahim Avcil, arrested and assaulted by the police for protesting against the Dalston army showroom
Solidarity needed with the army showroom protestors arrested and charged by the police. Further to last week's peaceful protestor's arrest, please read below the circumstances of Ibrahim's arrest in June:
Please find below a text that I have written explaining the circumstance of my arrest by the Police. We will be having a vigil on the day I return for my bail which is Wednesday the 05th of August at 10.30am. The vigil will be hold in front of the Stoke Newington Police station. It has happened to me today, it could be anyone else tomorrow, so I beleive we shall not stay silent, and get organised against the attacks on our right to protest and organise.
I am writing this e-mail to make you aware of my arrest and what happened.
On Monday the 8th of June 2009 at around 15.35, I was walking through the shopping centre coming from the Natwest Bank, together with my brother in Law. As I passed Sainsbury, I was approached by a member of the security personal, who pushed me from the chest and told me “You cant enter this building” when I asked why he said that I was banned from the building, I made my way again towards the exit, the security personal hold on to my arm, I refused he hold me from the back and tried to put me on to the floor, whilst calling the police, by the time the police came I saved my self from the security personal and asked him to “please call his manager”. The police came without a single question put a handcuff on my arm (A cross handcuff) and 2 other officers came as well, and they drag me inside the shopping centre to the police booth in the Ridley Road Market. While dragging me officer PC 284 (Lewington) and officer PC 485 who refused to give me his details I had to write it down myself used words such as “Bend down you wanker”, You Fucking Bustard” and as we entered the police booth the officer PC485 intentionally hit my head on the edge of the glass door. When we went in side officer PC485 made racist comments about my looks, and clearly said “Fuck of back to your country”, I said I am a British citizen and he said “He does not give a Fuck”.
RWCA- Refugee Workers' Cultural Association
GIK-DER- Gocmen Isciler Kultur Dernegi
Please find below a text that I have written explaining the circumstance of my arrest by the Police. We will be having a vigil on the day I return for my bail which is Wednesday the 05th of August at 10.30am. The vigil will be hold in front of the Stoke Newington Police station. It has happened to me today, it could be anyone else tomorrow, so I beleive we shall not stay silent, and get organised against the attacks on our right to protest and organise.
I am writing this e-mail to make you aware of my arrest and what happened.
On Monday the 8th of June 2009 at around 15.35, I was walking through the shopping centre coming from the Natwest Bank, together with my brother in Law. As I passed Sainsbury, I was approached by a member of the security personal, who pushed me from the chest and told me “You cant enter this building” when I asked why he said that I was banned from the building, I made my way again towards the exit, the security personal hold on to my arm, I refused he hold me from the back and tried to put me on to the floor, whilst calling the police, by the time the police came I saved my self from the security personal and asked him to “please call his manager”. The police came without a single question put a handcuff on my arm (A cross handcuff) and 2 other officers came as well, and they drag me inside the shopping centre to the police booth in the Ridley Road Market. While dragging me officer PC 284 (Lewington) and officer PC 485 who refused to give me his details I had to write it down myself used words such as “Bend down you wanker”, You Fucking Bustard” and as we entered the police booth the officer PC485 intentionally hit my head on the edge of the glass door. When we went in side officer PC485 made racist comments about my looks, and clearly said “Fuck of back to your country”, I said I am a British citizen and he said “He does not give a Fuck”.
Before letting me go they said they want to take me to Stoke Newington Police station but because apparently there was no space there they released on Bail and on the bail paper they wrote down the offence as “Burglary”. The officer asked me to sign the bail paper with cuffs on my hand I refused he took them of. Although I told them 10 x that my hands were about to brake they were laughing. They released me on Bail told me I am not allowed into the shopping centre, they gave me nothing in writing to confirm this. As I left the office on bail Ali Aksoy chair of HRF was there to pick me up, while officer PC 485 was going past us all he clearly said “Come to Stoke Newington police Station we will show you”.
I went to the hospital straight after the release report has been given to me after x rays and state, That” He has minor head injuries, he has been examined and is being treated for biletaral soft tissue injuriesof the wrists and a possible fracture of the bone, he has been given a wrist sprint and we will review the x rays on 12 June2009”.
I am an active person within the community and the chair of a well respected organisation within the community. These acts of the police are unacceptable, I am not able to work now until the doctors agree that I am safe to work.
I demand an investigation in to this matter as soon as possible, and I will do all I can to make it as public as I can.
Ibrahim Avcil
RWCA- Refugee Workers' Cultural Association
GIK-DER- Gocmen Isciler Kultur Dernegi
Thursday, 16 July 2009
RETAKING OUR LIBERTIES is THIS THURSDAY - 16th!
Is the next exciting i'd rather be...productions event
This is the second of an irregular series of irb...productions events. The first, also held at London's Cross Kings (February 15th) was motivated by the outrageous assault by Israeli armed forces on Gaza. The event was extremely well received thanks to contributions from our brilliant line up of musicians: Low Key, Renu Hossain and Yaaba Funk. We successfully raised funds for Stop the War and Medical Aid for Palestinians.
About the cause...
This new campaign needs and deserves your support (and, yes, money!). Why? Please see below!
About Retaking our Liberties
For a mere £5 (plus optional donations) we guarantee you a real feast of goodies. The emphasis here is on guitars, lots of 'em! Sameh Moussa (acoustic Arabic/ Flemenco) Graham Larkbey and the Escape Committee (Bluesy/ Rocky) and the inimitable Barry 'the Fish' Melton (bringing us all that original 'electric music for the mind and the body' through his fiery, psychedelic blues!). Click on the flyer to find out more!
Why now...
We are focussing on a very important and alarming issue that has begun making the news with depressing regularity here in the UK: the increasing use of police violence as the State's chosen tactic, and forming part of a broader strategy, to drastically limit people's legitimate right to protest.
This has included the:
* Increasing use of stop and search, usually targetting particular ethnic minority communities despite there being little evidence of its effectiveness
* Use of oppressive terrorism legislation to hold protesters (for example the Gaza convoy members or, most often, climate change protesters) to disrupt organised opposition to particular government policies
* Recent events at the climate change protest when a protester was manhandled for asking an officer for their ID - see the Guardian front page (22/06/09)
* Filmed assaults on protesters, and non protesters, at the recent London G20 demonstrations
* Filmed tasering, kicking and punching of a man already on the ground in Nottingham only last week
* Shootings of unarmed individuals (Jean Charles De Menezes in Stockwell and Harry Stanley in Hackney) for which no one has yet been called to account
* Many unanswered questions regarding unexplained deaths in police custody, now numbered in the 100s, with, again, no one being charged in connection with any of them
* Intimidation (employing varying levels of violence) being regularly used to try and scare peaceful protesters off the streets, often coupled with aggressive surveillance and the use of filming in situations where it never used to occur
* Use of pre-planned and carefully rehearsed aggressive policing tactics (of which 'kettling' is but the latest) which are coming to represent a serious and sustained attack on the democratic legitimate right to protest.
Why support UCAPV...
We need a campaign to raise public awareness of both individual instances of the use of excessive force or violence by the police and the very real threat current methods of increasingly non consensual policing pose to all our civil rights. The United Campaign Against Police Violence is that campaign.
What we can do on Thursday, July 16th ...
Come and join Woodstock legend and the hippest Public Defender of all time Barry "the fish" Melton when he headlines an evening of entertainment that will deliver the musical event of the year as we make a start at....Retaking our Liberties
Remember the e-flyer is interactive - so download and click away!!!!!!!
Love
irb... productions
The story of i’d rather be...productions
"I'd Rather be Dancing" is the title of a most moving and powerful song by Seattle-based political activist and singer/ songwriter Jim Page about the brutal murder of American human rights activist, Rachel Corrie, in March 2003 by the Israeli military. He used Rachel’s own words, written to her parents, for the song.
We borrowed Jim’s title and decided to adopt it for our umbrella group of artists, promoters and other activists who came together outraged by what was going on in Gaza and like so many others wanted to do something about it. We settled on a ‘don’t get mad get even’ approach, agreeing to work together ‘fund raising the roof’ in various guises and contexts. We now intend to promote different fundraising events so contributing to organisations that can actually effect change on the ground. Feel free to contact us if you’ve any thoughts and ideas for fundraising at irbdproductions@googlemail.com. Let's work together and be creative!
This is the second of an irregular series of irb...productions events. The first, also held at London's Cross Kings (February 15th) was motivated by the outrageous assault by Israeli armed forces on Gaza. The event was extremely well received thanks to contributions from our brilliant line up of musicians: Low Key, Renu Hossain and Yaaba Funk. We successfully raised funds for Stop the War and Medical Aid for Palestinians.
About the cause...
This new campaign needs and deserves your support (and, yes, money!). Why? Please see below!
About Retaking our Liberties
For a mere £5 (plus optional donations) we guarantee you a real feast of goodies. The emphasis here is on guitars, lots of 'em! Sameh Moussa (acoustic Arabic/ Flemenco) Graham Larkbey and the Escape Committee (Bluesy/ Rocky) and the inimitable Barry 'the Fish' Melton (bringing us all that original 'electric music for the mind and the body' through his fiery, psychedelic blues!). Click on the flyer to find out more!
Why now...
We are focussing on a very important and alarming issue that has begun making the news with depressing regularity here in the UK: the increasing use of police violence as the State's chosen tactic, and forming part of a broader strategy, to drastically limit people's legitimate right to protest.
This has included the:
* Increasing use of stop and search, usually targetting particular ethnic minority communities despite there being little evidence of its effectiveness
* Use of oppressive terrorism legislation to hold protesters (for example the Gaza convoy members or, most often, climate change protesters) to disrupt organised opposition to particular government policies
* Recent events at the climate change protest when a protester was manhandled for asking an officer for their ID - see the Guardian front page (22/06/09)
* Filmed assaults on protesters, and non protesters, at the recent London G20 demonstrations
* Filmed tasering, kicking and punching of a man already on the ground in Nottingham only last week
* Shootings of unarmed individuals (Jean Charles De Menezes in Stockwell and Harry Stanley in Hackney) for which no one has yet been called to account
* Many unanswered questions regarding unexplained deaths in police custody, now numbered in the 100s, with, again, no one being charged in connection with any of them
* Intimidation (employing varying levels of violence) being regularly used to try and scare peaceful protesters off the streets, often coupled with aggressive surveillance and the use of filming in situations where it never used to occur
* Use of pre-planned and carefully rehearsed aggressive policing tactics (of which 'kettling' is but the latest) which are coming to represent a serious and sustained attack on the democratic legitimate right to protest.
Why support UCAPV...
We need a campaign to raise public awareness of both individual instances of the use of excessive force or violence by the police and the very real threat current methods of increasingly non consensual policing pose to all our civil rights. The United Campaign Against Police Violence is that campaign.
What we can do on Thursday, July 16th ...
Come and join Woodstock legend and the hippest Public Defender of all time Barry "the fish" Melton when he headlines an evening of entertainment that will deliver the musical event of the year as we make a start at....Retaking our Liberties
Remember the e-flyer is interactive - so download and click away!!!!!!!
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irb... productions
The story of i’d rather be...productions
"I'd Rather be Dancing" is the title of a most moving and powerful song by Seattle-based political activist and singer/ songwriter Jim Page about the brutal murder of American human rights activist, Rachel Corrie, in March 2003 by the Israeli military. He used Rachel’s own words, written to her parents, for the song.
We borrowed Jim’s title and decided to adopt it for our umbrella group of artists, promoters and other activists who came together outraged by what was going on in Gaza and like so many others wanted to do something about it. We settled on a ‘don’t get mad get even’ approach, agreeing to work together ‘fund raising the roof’ in various guises and contexts. We now intend to promote different fundraising events so contributing to organisations that can actually effect change on the ground. Feel free to contact us if you’ve any thoughts and ideas for fundraising at irbdproductions@googlemail.com. Let's work together and be creative!
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