Demonstrate outside labour conference (28th feb)
llantwit | 20.02.2003 11:44
The clock is ticking, we need to act again, and in numbers.
Senior cabinet members and maybe even poodle Blair himself will be at the Welsh labour party conference.
STWC calls for national demonstration in Swansea.
Why not organise mass civil disobedience as well - Stop the City, Stop the War.
This story was taken from a recent edition of the south wales evening post:
CITY DEMO COULD REACH THE WORLD
14:00 - 19 February 2003
Thousands of peace protesters will descend on Swansea from across
the UK at the end of the month in a march against war. Swansea's
Coalition Against War group is organising a mass protest outside the
Welsh Labour Party Conference at the Brangwyn Hall in the city centre
on February 28.
It is likely to be the biggest rally ever staged in the city and
protesters are being bussed in from all parts of Wales for the march.
The decision follows last weekend's London rally attended by more
than a million people. Around 2,000 people travelled from the city to
the capital to join in.
The party conference takes place on the same day chief weapons
inspector Hans Blix is expected to give his latest inspection report
to the United Nations.
As a result it could be the day the UN gives a mandate for military
action to disarm Iraq, or the day America and its allies decide to go
war without UN backing. Not only will the conference be attended by
Welsh politicians, but guest speakers will also include Labour party
chairman John Reid.
There is also a possibility that a high profile cabinet member may
attend and organisers have not ruled out the possibility of Tony
Blair himself flying in.
Fred Fitton, of the Swansea Coalition Against War Group said: "This
could be the last chance for people to demonstrate to the Labour
Government how strongly against military action the nation is. Last
time there was an anti-war protest in Swansea around 2,000 people
turned up. This time there could be hundreds of thousands of peace
demonstrators in the city.
"Swansea will be, I am sure, at the centre of the world stage that
day.
The timing could not be more crucial. I would urge everyone to turn
up. We have to get the message across. It may be our last chance to
convince the politicians."
A spokesman for the Labour Party said that there would be no debate
on military action in Iraq at the conference because its standing
orders stipulate it can only debate matters of relevance to Assembly
policy.
He said: "Because of the current situation it is unclear which
government ministers may attend if any. If there is a huge
demonstration security will be dealt with in the usual way."
Demonstrators will gather outside the Brangwyn Hall at Swansea's
Guildhall at noon on February 28.
Stop the War Coalition spokeswoman Lindsey German said: "I think
there will be a huge turn out in Swansea. It will be a chance not
only to show what the people of the city think about the planned
action, but the whole of the UK too. I believe people do feel
strongly enough to miss work to attend."
Senior cabinet members and maybe even poodle Blair himself will be at the Welsh labour party conference.
STWC calls for national demonstration in Swansea.
Why not organise mass civil disobedience as well - Stop the City, Stop the War.
This story was taken from a recent edition of the south wales evening post:
CITY DEMO COULD REACH THE WORLD
14:00 - 19 February 2003
Thousands of peace protesters will descend on Swansea from across
the UK at the end of the month in a march against war. Swansea's
Coalition Against War group is organising a mass protest outside the
Welsh Labour Party Conference at the Brangwyn Hall in the city centre
on February 28.
It is likely to be the biggest rally ever staged in the city and
protesters are being bussed in from all parts of Wales for the march.
The decision follows last weekend's London rally attended by more
than a million people. Around 2,000 people travelled from the city to
the capital to join in.
The party conference takes place on the same day chief weapons
inspector Hans Blix is expected to give his latest inspection report
to the United Nations.
As a result it could be the day the UN gives a mandate for military
action to disarm Iraq, or the day America and its allies decide to go
war without UN backing. Not only will the conference be attended by
Welsh politicians, but guest speakers will also include Labour party
chairman John Reid.
There is also a possibility that a high profile cabinet member may
attend and organisers have not ruled out the possibility of Tony
Blair himself flying in.
Fred Fitton, of the Swansea Coalition Against War Group said: "This
could be the last chance for people to demonstrate to the Labour
Government how strongly against military action the nation is. Last
time there was an anti-war protest in Swansea around 2,000 people
turned up. This time there could be hundreds of thousands of peace
demonstrators in the city.
"Swansea will be, I am sure, at the centre of the world stage that
day.
The timing could not be more crucial. I would urge everyone to turn
up. We have to get the message across. It may be our last chance to
convince the politicians."
A spokesman for the Labour Party said that there would be no debate
on military action in Iraq at the conference because its standing
orders stipulate it can only debate matters of relevance to Assembly
policy.
He said: "Because of the current situation it is unclear which
government ministers may attend if any. If there is a huge
demonstration security will be dealt with in the usual way."
Demonstrators will gather outside the Brangwyn Hall at Swansea's
Guildhall at noon on February 28.
Stop the War Coalition spokeswoman Lindsey German said: "I think
there will be a huge turn out in Swansea. It will be a chance not
only to show what the people of the city think about the planned
action, but the whole of the UK too. I believe people do feel
strongly enough to miss work to attend."
llantwit