UK Newswire Archive
50 Dead & 500 wounded by riot police in Kazakhstan
16-12-2011 10:50
Today, at Kazakhstan’s independence day, more than 3000 people assembled peacefully in Zhanaozen, to promote the demands of the oil workers who have been on strike since May. Police and special forces attacked the meeting and opened fire on the strikers and their families.Revolution is back - Libyans protest against new regime
16-12-2011 07:41
PEOPLE in Libya are rising up against the regime foisted on them by foreign powers following the overthrowal of Gaddafi.40th Bangladesh Victory Day Anniversary
16-12-2011 00:55
On the 16th of December 2011 Bangladeshis around the world, including the large community living in the United Kingdom, estimated to be 500,000, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of victory in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
The partition of British India gave rise to two new states; a secular state known as India and an Islamic state known as Pakistan. Pakistan formerly comprised of West and East Pakistan (now known as Bangladesh). However these two zones were separated culturally and geographically, including by a distance of 1,600 kilometres of Indian territory. East Pakistan consisted of Bengali speaking people, had a larger population and generated the most revenue, nevertheless West Pakistan controlled the divided country politically and economically.
There were many imbalances between the two areas: the budget was spent unequally - West Pakistan would receive more; there was a failure to effectively handle the relief work to help East Pakistan after the 1970 tropical cyclone; and there was a language controversy when the Governor-General of Pakistan declared "Urdu, and only Urdu" would be the state language for all Pakistan. The Pakistanis underestimated the language-based identity of the Bengali people. During a protest on 21st of February 1952, police opened fire killing 5 students. Half a century later, the United Nations proclaimed 21st of February (Ekushey February) as International Mother Language Day.
In 1970 the first general election was held in Pakistan. The people overwhelmingly voted for the Awami League and its leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who has become the symbol of freedom for the Bengalis. The military and the West Pakistani political leaders under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto were alarmed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's victory and in collaboration with the army bosses, decided to crush the Bengali resurgence.
On the 26th of March 1971, the Bengali people stood up for their rights and declared their independence from Pakistan. This led to the Pakistani President Yahya Khan declaring war by ordering the Pakistani military to reinstate Pakistani government's authority. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman asked his people to continue the fight "until the last Pakistani army" was driven away from Bangladesh.
Over the following 9 months, President Yahya Khan and his military commanders with the aid of local collaborators committed mass atrocities on unarmed civilians, killed an estimated three million people, raped over 300,000 women, destroyed innumerable homes to crush the rebellion, which was termed an "Indian-inspired" conspiracy. The minority Hindu community was particularly targeted. This unprecedented atrocities led to a mass exodus to India, where an estimated 10 million people took refuge.
Eventually, with the help of Indian military, the Bengali freedom fighters (Mukti Bahini), displaying unparalleled bravery defeated the regular Pakistani army on 16th of December 1971. Every year on this day Bangladeshis remember the human cost of their victory. This was one of the 20th century's bloodiest war, yet outside Bangladesh little is known about it. The Guinness Book of Records lists the Bangladesh Genocide as one of the top 5 genocides in the 20th century.
The United States provided both political and material support to Pakistan. U.S. President Richard Nixon denied getting involved in the situation, saying that it was an internal matter of Pakistan. But when Pakistan's defeat seemed certain, Nixon sent the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal. The Soviet Navy dispatched two groups of ships, armed with nuclear missiles, they trailed the U.S. ship. Indira Gandhi, a lone voice against the mighty U.S., travelled across the world to mobilise support for the beleaguered people of Bangladesh, she was supported by the then Socialist bloc, led by the Soviet Union. The Bangladeshi government posthumously awarded her the "Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona" for her "outstanding contribution" to the country's independence from Pakistan. She is the first foreigner to be given the highest state honour.
40 years on, Bangladesh is finally trying to confront war crimes. In 2010, the Awami League-led government set up the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to try those Bangladeshis accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces and committing atrocities. Currently, seven people, including two from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and five from the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, have been arrested and are facing trial. The Jamaat-e-Islami is the country's largest Islamist party and it opposed Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan at that time. Some of its members allegedly fought alongside the Pakistani army.
Until there is repentance from the perpetrators, until the traitors and war criminals living in Bangladesh and around the world are brought to justice, this matter will never be settled, the wound will never heal.
12th December 2011
1. Bangladesh Liberation Memorial http://www.liberationmemorial.org
2. Bangladesh Genocide Archive http://www.genocidebangladesh.org
3. Wikipedia: Bangladesh Liberation War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Liberation_War
4. Liberation War Museum http://www.liberationwarmuseum.org
5. Virtual Bangladesh: Independence http://www.virtualbangladesh.com/history/independence.html
6. Bangladesh salutes Indira Gandhi http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2290625.ece
7. The war that time forgot http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/10/bangladesh.photography
8. Remembering East Pakistan http://tribune.com.pk/story/221972/remembering-east-pakistan-i &http://tribune.com.pk/story/226879/remembering-east-pakistan-ii
9. Video footage of Liberation War (6.15 minutes) http://youtu.be/RzxRfv2EKeQ
10. Bangladesh Liberation War documentary (7.39 minutes) http://youtu.be/2TrAB52myWY
Occupy London rave demo at tory Carlton Club
15-12-2011 20:16
Occupy London brings some noise to the Carlton Club, spiritual home of the Conservative Party
As the grand finale of Occupy Everywhere, the nationwide day of creative action called by Occupy London to mark its two month anniversary, London’s detachment of the global movement for social and economic justice today brought a street party direct to the spiritual home of the Conservative Party, the Carlton Club. [1]
Founded in the aftermath of the Great Reform Act of 1832 – by those who opposed it – the membership rules of the Carlton Club, the oldest and most elite of all Conservative clubs (69 St James’ Street London SW1A 1PJ) state that only persons of full age who support the Conservative Party are eligible to join.
Aiming to highlight the City’s influence over the Conservatives’ finances and policy direction, supporters of Occupy London brought musical instruments and – in a nod to the movement’s antecedents in the tradition of non-violent direct action – pots and pans to the Carlton Club and used them to signal their dissent to those inside. In doing so, they asserted that the public will be heard. [2]
In the week that David Cameron asserted that the interests of the United Kingdom were synonymous with the interests of the City of London, Occupy London says - in the words of Jesse Jackson - that “enough is enough.” In a city that is increasingly a place where the public move by courtesy rather than by right, supporters of Occupy London are reclaiming the capital’s streets as a symbolic start to reclaiming its politics. [3]
Occupy London supporter Gary Parker said: “It is time to reclaim our democracy and our streets from the financiers and their political puppets who act not in the interests of society but for a privileged few. We say to David Cameron, to Boris Johnson – this is your wake up call. We urge you to join the conversation to create a more just society for all. The time for action to address inequalities is now. Otherwise, just like the hedge funds and stock market, you are gambling with our future.”
Earlier today: Rev Jesse Jackson addresses Occupy London
Earlier today Occupy London was honoured to welcome Rev Jesse Jackson to the steps of St Paul’s. In his address, Rev Jackson described the Occupy movement as a “global spirit… whose time has come.” Paying tribute to the Occupy movements in New York, San Francisco, London and across the world, Rev Jackson expressed his wish that occupiers, as “canaries in the coalmine,” would increase awareness of poverty, homelessness and the denial of access to education, employment and healthcare – and encourage others to join in the struggle for economic and social justice.
Occupy the City, Occupy the Mind
Occupy Everywhere started at 10.30am with supporters of Occupy London indulging in some horsing around at the Lloyds Bank headquarters on Gresham Street. Accompanied by a pantomime horse, a giant “Occupy Everywhere” banner and a mobile carnival, the procession caused brought smiles to the faces of office workers, cabbies and school children alike. [4]
Notes
[1] The Carlton Club http://www.carltonclub.co.uk/
[2] Guardian – City’s influence over Conservatives laid bare by research into donation – Donations from finance account for half of payments to Tories since 2010 general election – http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/30/city-conservatives-donations / Telegraph – Gene Sharp: How to start a revolution –http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/8841546/Gene-Sharp-How-to-Start-a-Revolution.html
[3] Guardian – Private spaces are stifling protest: Occupy London’s struggle to find a public space for protest reflects the increasing private control of our towns and cities -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/26/private-spaces-protest-occupy-london
[4] Occupy London horse around in the City; tell Lloyds enough is enough – no more taking taxpayers for a ride – http://occupylsx.org/?p=2508
Support the Sparks – Glasgow, Sat. Dec.17th 10am
15-12-2011 20:04
Support the Sparks – protest against the lack of media coverage – BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Glasgow, Saturday 17th December, 10am-1pmJubilee
15-12-2011 18:55
As the rich's income increases and most peoples income is cut, the richest will be flaunting it this summer.
We're all in this together!
From their official website:
An outline of The Queen's Programme and details of where other Members of the Royal Family are visiting in 2012 have been announced today (Wednesday 14 December 2011).
Regional visits within the UK by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh
The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will mark the Diamond Jubilee with a series of regional visits and engagements throughout the United Kingdom during 2012.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, supported by other Members of the Royal Family, will be travelling as widely as possible across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Details of the programme will include:
29th March North London
26th - 27th April Wales
1st - 2nd May South West England
15th May South London
16th - 17th May North West England
2nd - 5th June Central Weekend
13th - 14th June East Midlands and East Anglia
25th June and 25th July South East England
2nd - 6th July Scotland (Holyrood Week)
11th - 12th July West Midlands
18th - 19th July North East England
Further details will be announced in due course.
Overseas visits by Members of the Royal Family
Members of the Royal Family will travel overseas representing The Queen throughout the Diamond Jubilee year, visiting every Realm as well as undertaking visits to Commonwealth countries, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.
Her Majesty has asked that these visits include the following:
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea
The Prince of Wales: Channel Islands, Isle of Man
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: Malaysia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu
Prince Harry: Belize, Jamaica, The Bahamas
The Duke of York: India
The Earl and Countess of Wessex: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Gibraltar, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
The Princess Royal: Mozambique, Zambia
The Duke of Gloucester: British Virgin Islands, Malta
The Duke of Kent: Falkland Islands, Uganda
Further details will be announced in due course.
Diamond Jubilee Pageant
The Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place on 10, 11 and 13 May 2012 in Windsor. For further information please visit www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com.
Central Weekend, 2 - 5 June 2012
The Central Weekend to celebrate The Queen's Diamond Jubilee takes place from Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June 2012, with celebratory activities throughout the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.
The Jubilee Weekend features an extra Bank Holiday for the Diamond Jubilee, with the late May Bank Holiday moved one week later, thereby making a 4-day long weekend. The government announced the extra Bank Holiday for the Diamond Jubilee on 5 January 2010.
Buckingham Palace is responsible for the coordination of the central weekend, and the outline of the main programme is as follows:
Saturday 2 June, 2012
The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby.
Sunday 3 June, 2012
The Big Jubilee Lunch: Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. This may take the form of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups. This event is being organised by the Big Lunch, http://www.thebiglunch.com
The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen will travel in the Royal Barge which will lead the flotilla. This event is being organised by the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation, http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/
Monday 4 June, 2012
BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace: There will be a televised Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace with tickets being available to UK residents by public ballot. The musical programme for the concert is still being planned and is expected to feature British and Commonwealth musicians. Details on how to apply for the concert will be available in due course. This event is being organised by the BBC.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. As in 2002, The Queen will light the National Beacon. The beacons project is being organised by Diamond Jubilee Beacons Ltd. - http://www.diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk/
Tuesday 5 June, 2012
Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession: There will be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral and a formal carriage Procession by The Queen.
http://www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/TheQueenandspecialanniversaries/TheQueensDiamondJubilee2012/TheDiamondJubileeCentralWeekend.aspx
Anarchy in China as Officials and Cops Beat Retreat from Village
15-12-2011 15:45
#D15 Occupy Everywhere today
15-12-2011 14:55
Occupy London called for national day of non-violent creative direct action highlighting social and economic injustice today, the two month after the start of St Paul’s occupation. Dubbing the day ‘Occupy Everywhere’, they issued an invitation to communities up and down the country to get involved, take their message of -" it's time for change", "we need dialogue" and "that we can create a better world" – and make it their own.
People met this morning at 10am at St Pauls and have been engaged in actions involving a giant horse, aiming at Lloyds Bank and other institutions in the area.
Rev Jesse Jackson joining Occupy London from 3pm at St Pauls.
At 5pm there will be a group ride from Southbank for 'Occupy Everywhere'We will bike together to the great london street party!
Then people will meet at Picadilly Circus 6pm to Occupy the Streets. Bring party props, costumes & things to transform the space.
There is a Live Stream all day - see the second image for instructions to view on your phone.
More info later...
Palestine Today 12 15 2011
15-12-2011 14:08
EDL Thugs Plan Attack on Occupy Portsmouth
15-12-2011 14:02
Other far-right Groups Muster for Violent Confrontation!Portsmouth Nazi Watch have become increasingly alarmed by the level of serious threats Portsmouth EDL are making, both publicly and privately, towards local people supporting the peaceful, International 'Occupy' movement.
Earth First! - 20 years of ecological protest & resistance
15-12-2011 13:53
- looking forward to more digger-diving, machine-sabbing, locking-on radical direct actionLet's get out there and active, day and night
Full article | 1 addition | 3 comments
Activists blockade mass Tamil deportation, allege torture risk
15-12-2011 12:07
VID- Former U.S. political prisoner Ciaron O'Reilly-D17 Callout 4Bradley Manning
15-12-2011 10:32
YOUTUBE (1min 44 secs) Former U.S. political prisoner Ciaron O'Reilly outside the U.S. Embassy/London Calls for Dec 17 Solidarity with Bradley Manning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Qa0KXHpAc Kettle at Charing X
14-12-2011 22:55
Congolese demo kettled?
Just heard that congolese demonstrators are kettled at Charibg X with coaches on stand by!!
Calais: Squat Demolitions
14-12-2011 22:53
The Public Sector workers’ Strike on November 30
14-12-2011 21:29
On November 30th an estimated 2 million public sector workers went on strike in Great Britain, making it the biggest protest since the General Strike in 1926. Several of the big public sector unions called out its members currently in receipt of a public sector pension scheme to strike against the hugeAnti-Capitalist Carol Singing Atos Part 2 Glasgow Fri. 16th Dec 17.00
14-12-2011 20:56
Outside Atos Offices, Ca'D'Oro Building, 45 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3PEFriday 16th December 2011
17.00-18.00
Full article | 1 addition | 14 comments
Reverend Jesse Jackson to visit occupylsx on Thursday 15 December at 3pm!
14-12-2011 18:18
Occupy London is delighted that Rev Jesse Jackson will be visiting the OccupyLSX camp at St Paul’s Churchyard at 3pm on Thursday to show his support for the Occupy movement. Facilitated by Lee Jasper, Co Chair of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) along with other invited guests.
