Bristol Stop-The-War Newsletter : November 2005

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Nov 1 2005 19:24

munkeeunit

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Joined: 10-03-04

Hello South West Libcomers!

Here's the latest Bristol STW Newsletter.

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BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR NEWS

November 2005

This month’s newsletter features some important and interesting events. Most important is the International Peace Conference to be held in London on December 10th. This will be a great opportunity to hear the opinions of people involved on the ground in Iraq and will be useful in clearing the myths propagated by the British and US governments and the media about the situation over there. The peace conference will show the world that people in the US and Britain want the troops out—and it really will open up the possibility of joint international action.

STOP PRESS – CINDY SHEEHAN WILL BE ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE AS PART OF THE US DELEGATION. Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq, made headlines across the world when she camped outside George Bush’s Texas ranch, demanding to meet with the US president to ask why her son died.

The conference comes at a time when the UN mandate for the occupation is running out and there is open discussion amongst the US and British military about the difficulties they are facing in Iraq and the impact on morale in the armed forces. For some interesting articles that have recently appeared in the press see:

http://www.stopwar.org.uk/new/news/articles/breakingpoint.htm - from the Independent (18/10/2005) on the morale of British troops.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5316757-103681,00.html - from the Guardian (24/10/2005) on a survey carried out on behalf of the British army in Iraq, showing 82% of Iraqis want the occupying armies to leave. A military spokesman is quoted as saying ‘These aren’t very good figures’. Who said British understatement was out of fashion?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1595393,00.html - from the Guardian (19/10/2005). Simon Jenkin’s brand of ‘liberal conservativism’ may not appeal to all tastes, but here he takes apart the arguments of the government in favour of staying in Iraq ‘until the job is done’.

As part of the build-up to the International Peace Conference, Bristol Stop The War Coalition are organising an open discussion meeting to look at how we can build on our successes locally over the last few years and involve more and more people and groups in the campaign against the occupation of Iraq. This meeting is on Sunday November 6th and full details appear in this newsletter.

In Bristol we have two public meetings highlighting different aspects of the occupation – on 11th November, a meeting with ex-soldiers speaking about life in the military, and on 24th November a meeting with Rahul Mahajan, a US activist who has spent time in Iraq. An unrivalled opportunity to hear first-hand of life in Iraq under occupation but also of developments in the US anti-war movement. You will find details of both these meetings below.

Anybody interested in further information about campaigns among the military against the war should visit the Military Families Against the War website - http://www.mfaw.org.uk/

Lastly, if you haven’t already found it, take a look at Iraq Occupation Focus, formed by a group of anti-war activists early last year to spread information about the realities of the occupation and to help mobilise people against it. Their website is at http://www.iraqoccupationfocus.org.uk/ where you can sign up for their regular email newsletter which concentrates on stories from the world media which we don’t normally get to see. In fact this link will take you to their latest newsletter and let you subscribe - newsletter,. Well worth getting.

Please keep an eye on our message board, and other links provided, for events and news publicised between newsletters. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-stop-the-war-coalition/

CONTENTS

* New Section... ^ Updated Section...

~ Bristol Events... + National/International Events...

01) *~ ‘What Next For The Anti-War Movement’ Meeting – Sunday 6th November

02) ^~ ‘Military Veterans Speak Out’ Meeting – Friday 11th November

03) *~ ‘Iraq – One Year After Fallujah’ Meeting – Thursday 24th November

04) *+ International Peace Conference – Saturday 10th December

05) *~ Death of 100th British Soldier

06) * Medical Support For Activists

07) *~ ‘Beyond Fear: Peace Making For The 21st Century’ - Evening Course

08) *~ More Bristol Events

09) ^~ Local Peace Vigils & Planning Meetings

GROUP DESCRIPTION : Bristol STW Coalition produces this newsletter to publicise events & activities in opposition to the so-called 'war on terror'. We are composed of groups & individuals with a wide variety of political & religious views. We are politically non-aligned, but we are also committed to oppose any racist backlash ...... Bristol STW is not a 'membership' organisation. Any one or group opposed to the war on terror can consider themselves part of Bristol STW, or can continue to be publicised by us while choosing to organise independently of the Coalition ...... We don't claim (or seek) a monopoly over anti-war sentiment & activity in the city & recognise that many groups & individuals have their own ways of opposing the 'war on terror'. We are dependent on individual donations for our funding, so if you are able to make a donation please send a cheque or postal order, payable to: Bristol Stop The War Coalition. Post To: BSTW, 23 Monmouth Road, BRISTOL, BS7 8LF.

Or you can email us privately: bristolstopwar@hotmail.com

Please Note: Internet links & emails are included for your benefit in case you

wish to go online at an internet cafe, library, etc, or at some time in the future

1. ‘WHAT NEXT FOR THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT’ – MEETING – SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

Bristol Stop The War Coalition invites people and organisations who have been active in the campaign against the invasion and occupation of Iraq to an afternoon of discussion and debate to help develop the anti-war movement in Bristol and nationally over the coming months. Come along, join in and have your say.

The meeting will be held in St Werburghs Community Centre, Horley Road, Bristol, BS2 9TJ from 2pm-5pm.

Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=360303&Y=174489&A=Y&Z=1

We would like as many of our supporters as possible to attend this important meeting. In addition we are writing to interested groups to invite them to send representatives. If you are a member of a trades union, community or faith group which you think we should invite please email the details to bristolstopwar@hotmail.com.

2. ‘MILITARY VETERANS SPEAK OUT’ – PUBLIC MEETING – FRIDAY 11TH NOVEMBER

The British & US armed forces are increasingly struggling with problems of morale and recruitment as they become bogged down in Iraq and casualties mount (see elsewhere in this newsletter for information on this). The meeting will hear British & US military ex-soldiers speak about their experiences of training & combat, & how young people are targeted for military recruitment. plus a short film from the USA called ‘What’s Going On?’ about veterans’ demonstrations against the war.

Time: 7pm.

Venue: Friends Meeting House. 300 Gloucester Rd, Bristol BS7 8PD.

Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359251&Y=175995&A=Y&Z=1

3. ‘IRAQ - ONE YEAR AFTER FALLUJAH’ – PUBLIC MEETING – THURSDAY 24TH NOVEMBER

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Malcolm X Centre, 141 City Road, Bristol, BS2 8YH

Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359452&Y=174116&A=Y&Z=1

Speakers:

Rahul Mahajan, an American anti-war activist and author who spent time in both Fallujah and Sadr City during the April 2004 uprisings. Rahul is a member of the Steering Committee of the US anti-war coalition United for Peace and Justice. He is the author of The New Crusade (Monthly Review Press,2002) and Full Spectrum Dominance (Seven Stories, 2003) and also runs the weblog http://www.empirenotes.org

Eric Herring, Senior Lecturer in International Politics at the University of Bristol, co-author of 'Iraq in Fragments: The Occupation and its Legacy', to be published next year. He is the Convenor of the Network of Activist Scholars of Politics and International Relations http://www.naspir.org.uk;

This meeting is being held as part of a nationwide speaking-tour by Rahul Mahajan, organised by Voices In the Wilderness (http://vitw.org) on the anniversary of last November’s attack by the occupying armies on the city of Fallujah. It is an unrivalled opportunity to hear eye-witness accounts of events in Iraq and also find out what’s happening in the US anti-war movement.

4. INTERNATIONAL PEACE CONFERENCE – SATURDAY 10th DECEMBER

Venue: Royal Horticultural Hall, 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE

Map: www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=51.4951&lon=-0.1338&scale=10000&icon=x

This is an initiative supported by the Stop The War Coalition nationally. Bristol Stop The War Coalition encourages supporters to attend this important conference. There will be delegates from Iraq and USA. The delegates from Iraq already confirmed include:

Ayattolla Jawad al Khalissi, (Gen Sec, Iraqi National Foundation Congress), Sheikh Hassan Al Zargani, (Al Sadr Movement), Hassan Juma, (President, General Union of Oil Employees, Basra), Hana Ibrahim, (Women's Will Association), Dr Khair Eldin Hasseeb, (Centre for Arab Unity Studies)

We are particularly keen for trades unions, faith groups & community groups in Bristol who have been active in the anti-war movement to send delegates. For further information email stopwarbristol@hotmail.com.

The following is a statement issued by the organizers:

The grave threat to international peace posed by the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq is now clear for all to see. The people of Iraq and the citizens of Britain and America have time and again insisted that they are opposed to war and occupation. We believe it is now time for representatives of those people to meet together face to face, to renew our bonds of solidarity and to express our joint opposition to war.

To that end a broad and representative conference attended by a delegation of Iraqis drawn from all those sections of society rejecting the US and British occupation will meet in London on 10th December 2005.

We call on all peace campaigners, trade unionists, the congregations of all faiths, non-governmental organisations, progressive campaigns, community organisations and political parties to send delegates to this conference.

We the undersigned call on the real representatives of the people of Britain, the United States and Iraq to join us in London and to issue a call for peace that will echo around the world.

5. DEATH OF 100TH BRITISH SOLDIER

Across the USA events are taking in place in the next few days to mark the death of the 2000th US soldier last week. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have died as a result of the invasion and occupation. Unfortunately, it can’t be long before the 100th British soldier is killed. To mark the British death toll reaching this level and the continuing rise in Iraqi casualties, Bristol Stop The War Coalition is calling on its supporters to join the Peace Vigil on the Centre on the day they hear that number has been reached. The Vigil is from 5.30pm-6.30pm on Mondays to Fridays and 3pm-4pm on Saturday. It is planned that similar protests will take place in at least 100 towns and cities across the country.

6. MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR ACTIVISTS

Jane, a participant in recent protests writes:

The G8 and Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEI) protests this year made me think about who looks out for the welfare of activists.

During G8 and DSEI the UK Action Medics (a network of trained activists with a skill base ranging from first aid to qualified doctors) gave medical assistance in areas the usual medical services were prevented from accessing. Many activists may have seen them or even been helped by them as they cover all situations from dehydration to severe head injuries. The UK Action Medics need help from people with all kinds of skills at large protests, every thing from more medical skills to background crew and even washer uppers in the kitchen.

Now the protests are over and the dust settling down many activists, especially those involved in and/or witnessing unnecessary violence by the police, those arrested and awaiting trial, can suffer post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We need to recognise that the effects of protesting can take a while to surface, the Action Medics and the Activists Trauma group can offer help and support in dealing with PTSD for activists and again they require people of all ages and experience to help create the support network required.

If any of these issues are affecting you or if you want to offer your help visit www.actionmedics.org.uk and www.activist-trauma.net for further information and advice.

7. ‘BEYOND FEAR: PEACE MAKING FOR THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY’ - EVENING COURSE

In response to concerns about terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conflict in the third world a group of academics and peace activists from Bristol and Bath have put together a course for adults called Beyond Fear: Peace Making in the Twenty First Century The course which is being run by the Workers Education Association will examine the reasons for the growth of war and violence in the world and explore strategies for resolving conflicts peacefully. The course will cover such issues as the growth of the international arms trade, the role of the United States in world affairs, the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the relationship between violence and the quest for justice in the Third World.

Among the contributors to the course will be Professor Paul Dunne, Professor of Economics at the University of the West of England, Diana Francis, who has extensive experience of conflict resolution in the Balkans and the Caucasus, Anna Stavrianakis and Sam Perlo Freeman, experts on the international arms trade and Lara Coleman who brings to the course her experience of the relationship between American power and the liberation struggles in Latin America.

The course is part of an initiative by the WEA to revive the tradition of political education in Adult Education If the Bristol course is a success it hopes to run the course in other centres throughout the country and provide course material on the web to reach a wider audience.

Richard Henderson who is organising the course said “The course will not just consist of experts who will deliver their idea to students –the course will encourage students to take an active part in exploring the issues and bringing forward their own idea as to how to build a more peaceful world “

THE COURSE RUNS FOR 8 SESSIONS AT THE WINDMILL HILL CITY FARM ,PHILIP ST BEDMINSTER,STARTING ON WEDNESDAY . 11TH JANUARY AT 7.30PM . FOR PRE ENROLMENT RING 0117 916 6500.

Contact: Richard Henderson Tel 0117 949 9093 Email rhbr27360@blueyonder.co.uk

8. MORE BRISTOL EVENTS IN NOVEMBER

a) BRISTOL INDYMEDIA FILM NIGHT - 'THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS' – MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

b) STUDENT RESPECT MEETING – GEORGE GALLOWAY – WEDNESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER

c) ‘VENEZUELA: WHY CELEBRATE?’ – PUBLIC MEETING – WEDNESDAY 16th NOVEMBER

d) STOP THE DEPORTATION OF IRAQI ASYLUM SEEKERS – SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER

e) COMMUNITY EVENING FOR ACTIVISTS - MONDAY 19TH DECEMBER

a) BRISTOL INDYMEDIA FILM NIGHT - 'THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS' – MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Venue: Cube Cinema: Dove St South (off Kings Square), Bristol

Map: http://www.cubecinema.com/directions.htm

£2/3 nobody turned away for lack of funds. Doors open 7.30pm, films start at 8pm.

Banned in France upon its release, this is the full un-cut version of a cinematic masterpiece. This film looks at the battle between the Algerian independence movement and the French colonialists in the 1950s. It is a powerful human drama shot in a documentary style that never flinches from showing the reality of both sides of the terrorism/freedom-fighter coin. A powerful tale for today's so-called 'war on terror'. The film was described by one critic as, "...a model of how, without prejudice or compromise, a film-maker can illuminate history and tell us how we repeat the same mistakes." This is director Gillo Pontecorvo's most important work that won him the Golden Lion at the Venice Festival. To accompany this screening, and in response to requests, we will also be showing a repeat showing of the short documentary ‘Green With a Vengeance’ looking at the Earth Liberation Front. For further information: http://bristol.indymedia.org

b) STUDENT RESPECT MEETING – GEORGE GALLOWAY – WEDNESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER

Time: 6pm

Venue: Anson Room University Of Bristol Union, Queens Road

Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=357496&Y=173260&A=Y&Z=1

George Galloway will be speaking at Bristol University on the quagmire in Iraq, his visit to America, and why students need RESPECT. Organised by Bristol UniRespect

c) ‘VENEZUELA: WHY CELEBRATE?’ – PUBLIC MEETING – WEDNESDAY 16th NOVEMBER

In recent years Venezuela has made huge advances with the introduction of free health care, subsidised food, greater political participation, increased human and economic rights, neighbourhood improvements, free education, sustainable agriculture, an indigenous cultural revival and the development of hundreds of alternative media outlets. Could Venezuela be a beacon of hope for the world? Find out more, be inspired and build solidarity…come along to the launch of the Bristol Venezuela Solidarity Group.

Speakers:

Jeremy Dear General Secretary, NUJ (National Union of Journalists), Hands Off Venezuela Campaign

Andy Goodall, National Co-ordinator, Venezuela Solidarity UK

Karen Bell, Bristol activist, recently returned from Venezuela

Time: 7.00pm – 9.15 pm

Venue: CEED, Ujima House, 97-107 Wilder Street, St Paul's, Bristol, BS2 8QU

Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359322&Y=173848&A=Y&Z=1

For further information email: karenbell50@hotmail.com

d) STOP THE DEPORTATION OF IRAQI ASYLUM SEEKERS – SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER

Organised by Bristol Defend Asylum Seekers Campaign

Protest from 2pm to 3pm outside Tesco Metro in Broadmead, Bristol

The Home Office plan to send hundreds of asylum seekers back to the bloodshed and violence of Iraq has been temporarily halted after legal challenges and protests. The government’s assertion that Iraq is now a “safe country” would be laughable if the consequences of this policy were not so horrific. It is in fact a cynical attempt to maintain their claim, already widely discredited, that the war on Iraq has brought peace and democracy to that devastated country. This gross injustice inflicted on Iraqis seeking refuge in the UK is also meted out to thousands of other vulnerable asylum seekers who are forced to suffer humiliation, destitution, detention and deportation. Bring friends, family, workmates, campaign & trades union banners to the protest.

For further information: email AsylumBristol@hotmail.com http:/www.asylumbristol.org.uk

e) COMMUNITY EVENING FOR ACTIVISTS - MONDAY 19TH DECEMBER

Following the success of a similar event last year there are plans to put on a community evening for activists and others on the 19th December, either at the Greenbank Pub or St Werburghs Community centre.

Singing , drinking, meeting friends old & new, stalls for info etc. Free, but with donations being given to a group who work with disabled people in the West Bank and Gaza. If you’re interested in helping organise this - mainly publicity and getting local community groups, choirs and musicians to come along please contact Nancy Rollason at nancy2534@wildmail.com

9. LOCAL PEACE VIGILS & PLANNING GROUPS

a) THE DAILY BRISTOL PEACE VIGIL: TIMES: MON-FRI 5:30-6:30pm & SAT 3:00-4:00pm.

PLACE: City Centre (Opposite The Hippodrome. St. Augustines Parade). The Independent Bristol Peace Vigil is an open space for discussion, as well a crucial focus to Bristol's campaigns. We've kept vigil every night (except Sundays) since a few days after 11th Sept 2001, & we'll keep Vigil into the future, but we do need your support to keep our flame alive. If you can only make it for 15 minutes, or a couple of times a month, please still come. Everyone's welcome at the Bristol Peace Vigil.

b) EASTON PEACE VIGIL: Every Friday. 5:00pm-6:00pm.

On the Corner of Robertson Rd & Stapleton Rd. Easton, Bristol.

c) BATH PEACE VIGIL: Every Saturday 11.30am-12.30pm. Bath Abbey.

(Off York Street. From the railway station or bus station walk up Manvers St)

d) THE BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR PLANNING GROUP: Everyone's welcome. We hold a Bristol-Stop-The-War meeting every week, as a forum for local groups to inform each other of their intentions, of finding people to work together on projects, & as a venue where large scale Bristol events are agreed & planned. We don't vote at these meetings, as we're not here to force adherence to a consensus view. We do instead discuss issues until we reach broad consensus. DATE: Every Thursday. TIME: 7:00-8:30pm. PLACE:

Victoria Methodist Church

1A Whiteladies Road

BRISTOL

BS8 1NU

This is at the bottom end of Whiteladies Road, next door but one to Habitat and next door to the Royal West Of England Academy. For a map go to:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=357834&Y=173451&A=Y&Z=1

e) BATH-STOP-THE-WAR PLANNING GROUP: Hold Regular Meetings. For details:

Tel: 01225 315480 Email: postmaster@bathstopwar.org.uk Visit: www.bathstopwar.org.uk

For general enquiries email: bristolstopwar@hotmail.com

For News Around Bristol Visit: http://bristol.indymedia.org

"Even those of us who have tried to follow the war closely are not aware of a fraction of the horrors unleashed in Iraq." - Author Arundathi Roy at the World Tribunal on Iraq, Istanbul, 2005. http://www.worldtribunal.org/

SAY YES 2 PEACE ..... SAY YES 2 PEACE ..... SAY YES 2 PEACE

Bristol Stop-The-War Newsletter : November 2005

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