UK UK Newswire Archive
Bristol launches as a City of Sanctuary
21-06-2011 11:55
Bristol launches as a city that welcomes those who are fleeing persecution in their homelands. Bristol laudable aims are to show common humanity and not narrow-minded prejudice.
Join the celebrations! On Wednesday 22nd June College Green and Bristol Cathedral are going to be overrun with singers, dancers, musicians and surprises. Civic leaders and representatives of different faiths will be there. This free event marks Bristol’s new status as a City of Sanctuary, offering support and welcome to those fleeing war and persecution.
At 4.15pm, after a Civic Welcome in the Council House, hundreds of people will form a procession and snake their way across the Green performing an Umbrella Dance. It will be led by a succession of musicians – and everyone will carry an umbrella emblazoned with the City of Sanctuary logo. The procession pauses at the Hazel Dome, allowing people to weave coloured cloth between the Dome’s shafts and to tie pledges, prayers and poems to it to turn it from a bare skeleton into a vibrant shelter.
At 5pm we enter the Cathedral – and for the next hour are treated to a dozen performance slots in different parts of this beautiful building. Music, dance, poetry and song will take us on a physical, emotional and symbolic journey. Brief statements from representatives of 8 different faiths, and of those with no faith, will underline the universal nature of the event. And at 6pm half-muffled bells round off the event with a mix of celebration and reflection. Full article
Green MEP says 'No' to nuclear trains
21-06-2011 09:55
Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has demanded an end to the transportation of highly toxic nuclear waste through London's Olympic site at a public meeting in east London.
Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has demanded an end to the transportation of highly toxic nuclear waste through London's Olympic site at a public meeting in east London on Saturday.
Campaigners from the Nuclear Trains' Action Group (NTAG) gathered at the Stratford Advice Arcade to highlight the dangers posed to Londoners by the regular movement of radio active waste from power stations in Kent and Suffolk to Sellafield. The trains, which are loaded with spent nuclear fuel rods, pass by the Maryland and Stratford stations and continue through the middle of the Olympic site on the North London Line before heading north to Cumbria. At times, the trains are just metres from the new Aquatics Centre.
Research carried out by NTAG shows that a serious accident or terrorist attack which broke open a nuclear flask would result in the release of highly-radioactive material which could kill thousands of people downwind in a built up areas such as East London and require mass evacuation of a large area for a considerable period.
Speaking at the meeting, Jean, who is currently involved in new European legislation on nuclear waste management, said: "With the Olympic games now a mere 12 months away, Londoners must be warned of the dangerous radiation coming from these trains and the impact of a major accident on the population of London. Transport vehicles for nuclear fuel have long been seen as a potential target for terrorists and a successful attack during the Games would be nothing short of a so-called ‘spectacular'. For this reason, the Olympic organisers must put a stop to these trains before the Games begin. The lives of Londoners must be the top priority.
"The UK government would have us believe that nuclear is necessary for a low-carbon future but this just isn't the case. Renewable energy is affordable, safe and clean and the UK has some of the best resources in Europe. In order to stop the transport of nuclear waste through London for good, we have to turn our backs on fossil fuels and make the permanent switch to real renewable energy. Only this change will make both London and the rest of the world a safer place."
Brian Haw and the false cures of quackery
20-06-2011 23:11
Brian Haw, the protester whose dogged presence outside of parliament turned him into a cause célèbre, has died of lung cancer. Mr Haw was a divisive figure, with often unorthodox opinions, whose determination to camp outside parliament became a matter of considerable political debate on the right to protest. In recent years Mr Haw’s supporters dwindled to a hardcore group with fringe opinions. They have let him down badly.
19J in London and beyond
20-06-2011 22:55
As part of the #globalrevolution day of action called for Sunday 19 June by the 15M Movement of the square occupations in Spain, around 500 people took part in the demonstration organised by the 15M London Assembly in Trafalgar square.
The 19J European wide day of demonstrations was called to protest against the '2011 Euro Plus Pact' - also known as the Competitiveness Pact or Pact for the Euro - which seeks to impose massive cuts in public spending as well as severe restrictions in labour rights across Europe.
See pics and report of the London protest and beyond ...
In London's Trafalgar Sqaure and Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens:
At around 6pm a procession carrying a coffin with the word 'democracy' written on it arrived at Trafalgar Square. The centre of the square was fenced off due to the 'Soho Live' festival that had taken place during the weekend, so the crowd made its way to the southern side of the square and took over the traffic island at the top Whitehall.
The 500 strong crowd demonstrated in there for well over two hours, dancing to an impromptu 'samba band', chanting slogans such as "no-one represents us", "one solution, revolution", and "take to the streets, we won't pay for your crisis" whlst displaying a huge banner demanding an '"Europe for the citizens, not the markets". For the first hour or so the demonstration was very lively and loud, and eventually the crowd sat down for an open-mic session. Several people took the opportunity to address the crowd, some talked about the 15M mobilistions in Spain and in London during the past few weeks [reports 1|2|3] , as well as in Greece and Italy.
Others talked about the J30 Strike announced for this June 30th against public sector cuts in the UK, and called for people to actively take part in it by supporting the pickets and actions planned all over the UK. Speakers also made connections between the massive wave of popular resistance currently going on in some southern European countries such as Spain and Greece against the austerity measures that are being imposed by governments, the EU and the IMF, with the anti-cuts and student movements recently seen in this country. Other speakers included someone from Iran that talked about the parallelisms between the 15M Movement in Spain and the ongoing wave of dissent throughout the Arab world, and another from Greece that talked about the need for moving beyond the rule of parliamentarian democracy and into more participative, inclusive and direct ways of organising our societies.
In Manchester around 100 people followed the 19J call to action and demonstrated in the city's Piccadilly Gardens. See report and pics.
In Spain:
Hundreds of thousands of people ttok to the streets in massive demonstrations in many cities and towns throughout the Spanish state. The biggest ones took place in Barcelona where 250,000 people marched behind a huge banner reading "The streets are ours, we won't pay for the crisis" from Plaça de Catalunya - the downtown square that had been occupied for the last few weeks - towards de regional Parliament building. In Madrid several demos arriving from different neighbourhoods and surrounding towns [video] converged in the city centre in a 120,000 strong demonstration, and marched towards the state's Parliament. In both cities the demonstrations passed without incidents albeit they were loud and determined.
Barcelona: Report(cat/sp) and pics | Video | Photos and video | Reports(cat/esp) and Videos from several Catalan towns and cities
Madrid: Report(eng) | Photos and videos | Timeline(esp), pics and videos
Throughout Spain: See a collection of reports(esp), pics and videos from several cities across Spain here.
The Spanish 15M Movement of popular assemblies that organised Sunday's demonstrations, are now proposing to the local assemblies in towns and cities throughout Spain to start working towards a series of coordinated general strikes.
And beyond:
In Paris (France) 124 people were arrested when they were taking part in a 19J sit-in demonstration outside the city's Notre Dame cathedral. See report(esp) and videos.
In Brussels (Belgium) around 700 people followed the 19J call. See report(fr) and videos.
In Skopje (Macedonia) around 1,000 people took to the streets. See report(eng) and video.
More information in English language in the #15mayrevolution blog and in the #europeanrevolution website.
Recent related posts in the IMC London wires:
Emergency picket of the Italian Embassy, Wednesday 22/06/11 20 June, 2011
20-06-2011 20:57
A demonstration is to be held outside the Italian Embassy, London this Wednesday afternoon in response to what the organisers of the protest have labelled ‘an outrageous attack on the human rights of not just so-called legal and illegal immigrants, but all European and non-European citizens’.Public Meeting in Nottingham on Morton Hall IRC
20-06-2011 19:55
Detention Action and Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum are holding a public meeting on 22nd June 2011, to mark the opening of the new Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre.
The opening of Morton Hall brings the capacity of the UK detention estate up to 3,248. The decision of the UKBA to press on with its opening, despite budget cuts from the Spending Review, demonstrates the government's determination to continue to detain large numbers of migrants for long periods, despite evidence of the dysfunctional current use of detention.
The meeting will enable people in the area to share ideas and expertise for both for supporting people held in Morton Hall and for campaigning against the expansion of detention. Given the location of Morton Hall, people detained there are likely to be particularly isolated and have difficulty getting essential legal advice and support.
Jerome Phelps of Detention Action will speak about the indefinite detention of migrants who cannot be deported. Migrants are routinely held for periods of years, far in excess of the 28 days allowed for terror suspects.
XX of Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum will speak about...
Emma Ginn of Medical Justice will speak about the need for local doctors to help detainees to challenge inadequate healthcare and document their health issues.
The meeting will be:
Wednesday 22nd June, 6pm
The Square Centre
Alfred St North
Nottingham
All welcome.
Palestine Today 06 20 2011
20-06-2011 15:34
Sponsored Walk For Palestine
20-06-2011 14:55
Want to meet other supporters of Palestine from around the Peak District and also raise money for a good cause?
Nottingham Palestine Solidarity Campaign/ Nottingham Stop the War announce a Sponsored Walk (or bring a donation) and picnic from Hartington (between Ashbourne and Buxton) on Sunday 26th June at 11am. The distance to be walked is around 8 miles (12 Kilometres) of easy-ish countryside.
We aim to raise funds in support of the Jenin Hospital - Palestine.
Please remember to bring your food and drink for the picnic.
Directions
Meet at 10:45 am at Hartington Market Square. There will be a coffee break before and after the lunchtime picnic.
Please let Chris Fraser know if you need a sponsor form on 07854-053426 or chrisfraser9@hotmail.com
Transport arrangements
Car sharing is possible. Please phone or text Chris if you need a lift.
If you dont have time to raise sponsorship you can just make a donation on the day.
Unwelcome Socialist Party plea for more funds !!
20-06-2011 14:55
Copy of Letter sent to Socialist Party leadership following a plea for members to increase their subs
Comrades,
Question? Am I the only one who finds the recent increase request for our
"subsappeal2011" too much to stomach ?
And in addition, is anyone else considering quitting the party, for seemingly adding to the financial squeeze orchestrated by the current government, I know I am.
The request to increase members subs to enable a monthly target of £4,000, is being explained as a need by the party to "step up" its campaigning for June 30th strikes.
Mention (in the request letter) is made of the 80,000 leaflets and 5,000 placards etc which came to the grand total of £8,000 for the March 26th campaign. And more is needed !!
The letter then gets down to nitty-gritty with, what I consider an ill-advised and crass attempt to "shame" members into increasing their monthly subs, by highlighting (amongst others) the fact that even some unemployed members have been generous enough to increase their subs, and a few "minted" individuals, have agreed to join the farcically named "100 club" thereby paying £100 per month !!
No one is knocking the above mentioned efforts, but given the current "economic climate" with individuals and households being strangled financially, this "appeal" takes some beating !
With frozen wages, rising costs of living, redundancies and the recent hike in domestic fuel prices, (covered and commented upon with such anger by our party and its paper), comrades then see that the leadership have the audacity to ask us to part with even more of our hard earned money.
Does the leadership grasp the fact, that a few months ago there was a similar request ?
I am sure, I speak for the majority of comrades, who, when setting up their membership standing orders, thought long and hard about just how much could they reasonably afford, and having made that decision, welcome this begging letter, with as much enthusiasm as a Nato air-strike on a civilian target.
We all know that we are rapidly approaching the "big one" June 30th and the mass strike.
Maybe some comrades will be asking, that given the large amount of wonga spent on March 26th materials, Could some of these be re-used/re-cycled for the 30th ? One would sincerely hope that the materials in question were not tailored solely for that action, as this would constitute a brand of short-sightedness of epic proportions, "I mean, eight grand for materials that can only be used in one event" I did not realise Socialists were a "one gig a year" party?
Is our shortfall from a specific source? maybe a drop in the number of papers being sold ?
If that is the case, then our hard working comrades are, technically not really to blame, I mean, you can't force a member of Joe Public to buy a paper, they are probably thinking about making savings like the rest of us should be.
If this is true, then the leadership is asking the members to stump-up dosh to cover a shortfall that was not of their making in the first place ..... ?!!??
Hang on a minute, doesn't this sound all a bit too familiar ??
One must also remember, That dissent does not constitute disloyalty, and in such spirit of freedom of speech, The Socialist, I hope, will put a copy of this letter in its paper.
Comradely, but Disillusioned, (Chairman) Wrexham Socialist Branch, N. Wales.
Brian Haw (1949-2011)
20-06-2011 14:20
SpanishRevolution: After 19J. Videos and text
20-06-2011 14:15
SpanishRevolution: After 19J. Videos and textPC Harwood in court for first hearing - Monday 20 June
20-06-2011 12:33
PC Simon Harwood, the officer charged with manslaughter for Ian's death, appeared in City of Westminster Magistrates Court for the first time today.It was primarily administrative to refer the case to a Crown Court. Defendant's are not expected to enter a plea at this stage. No date is set for a trial yet.
Emergency picket of Italian Embassy and meeting
20-06-2011 10:06
The Italian government is passing the most repressive and racist 'emergency decrees' in the name of an 'emergency' that does not exist, regarding migration from the Middle Ease in uprising.Roma and irregular migrants are being round up and taken to deportation centres where all right have been suspended.
Over 1800 recorded deaths since the beginning of the year in attempts to cross the Mediterranean.
Protest, protest, protest!
Notts SOS calls for action to save our NHS
20-06-2011 09:55
Nottinghamshire Save Our Services (Notts SOS) are calling for a "day of action to save our NHS" on Saturday July 9th.
In Nottingham there will be a rally at Speakers' Corner, but campaigners are hoping for activity across the country, building on widespread opposition to the government's Health and Social Care Bill.
Among the groups already signed up to support the day of action are Youth Fight for Jobs, Save Hayward House Daycare, Disabled People Against Cuts, the local branches of the Socialist Party and Anarchist Federation and anti-cuts groups from Lewisham and Nuneaton. Notts SOS are still keen to get as many people involved as possible.
Campaigners believe the Bill will open the door towards widespread privatisation of the NHS, undermining the universal, free at the point of need, service.
Rosemary Muge from Notts SOS said, "They are now desperately spinning to get people on board. But make no mistake, the fact that Andrew Lansley says his main intentions are still intact means that even with these alterations they are leaving the way open for private companies to take over and make profits from sickness."
Harry Powell from the campaign said, "The 'pause' to allow the government to listen' has been followed by some changes and an extensive PR campaign. But we should not be fooled. The 'reforms' are still a very real threat to the NHS and there remains a pressing need to kill the Bill."
Notes for editors
- A statement about the event with a full list of supporters can be found on the Notts SOS website: http://wp.me/p15Eeo-y5
- In Notttingham protesters will be assembling at Speakers' Corner (the Clough Statue) for a rally from 12 noon. This will be followed by various activities around the city.
- Notts SOS was launched on 29th September 2010. They oppose cuts to services, job losses and cuts in benefits and aim to support workers organisations, service users, community groups in fighting cuts in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire. They hope to inspire confidence to think, meet and act. And to be inspired.
ENDS
A Tribute to Anti-War Campaigner Brian Haw, Driven by Revulsion at the Murder of Innocents
20-06-2011 09:24
When I was a child, I read the Guinness Book of Records, and marvelled at the stories of the people who, in ancient times, removed themselves from everyday reality, like Saint Simeon Stylites, a Christian ascetic who lived on a tiny platform on top of a pillar in Aleppo, Syria for 37 years in the 5th century AD.
** J30 Strike Website now live **
20-06-2011 08:55
News, updates, calls of action, interactive action maps, downloads -- its got it all!
Please forward and help plug the site. If you want to add an event for J30 then pleaseemail june30action@gmail.com with the following:
Time: Short Description:Location ( with postcode if possible! ):Facebook Event link:Type ( Action, Rally, March, Picket )
We really need more picket locations for the early morning. The site covers the whole UK so please spread far and wide!!
http://www.j30strike.org
J30 strike
p.s. Facebook has associated the website link with spam - due to the number of invites sent out for the J30 strike event - a pop up window will appear informing you that the content is blocked with link to complain - please complain to get facebook to unblock it. Thanks!
NATO`s Global War Experience
19-06-2011 22:49
Un Imigrato a Verona
19-06-2011 22:29
On June 17th, 2011, a group of about 25 immigrants that had been protesting for ten days decided to end their protest by climbing up the scaffolding attached to Verona's arena and demanding their long promised residency permits.Real Democracy Manchester Protest
19-06-2011 20:55
Around 100 members of Spanish, Greek, English and other European citizens living in Manchester, demonstrated in the city today as part of a Europe wide series of protests.
Demonstrators assembled in the city's Piccadilly Gardens as part of a spontaneous collective movement which, inspired by the Egyptian and Tunisian uprisings, started in Spain on the 15th May 2011 and soon spread to many cities both in Spain and abroad.
The group states: "We are seeking to try and gather people living in Manchester, and who, like us are "outraged" at the cuts and at the ideological agenda underpinning them, here and in the rest of Europe, and at the way in which the outcomes of two centuries of social, cultural and political struggle are being given away through policies targeting all sectors of welfare, education and culture, one after the other."
All Images © Stillshooter - 2011