Leeds Coalition Against The War Minutes of Meeting at Leeds Civic Hall 7th July 2003
Present 14 members plus 5 from Dewsbury
Apologies John D., Sally K., Steve J., John W.
Minutes of last meeting accepted
Matters arising No leaflet draft on Iraq & Palestine ready yet.
Current International Situation Discussion about Iraqi weapons is still undermining Government credibility. Interesting anti-Blair websites. Alastair Campbell/BBC debate is keeping arguments about Iraqi weapons going and making government look bad. Need to look ahead and not get bogged down in trivia. Americans planning to build military bases in several countries in Africa. Huge oil pipeline being built through Ecuador. Colombia - level of paramilitary violence against trade unionists is horrific. Day of Action against Coca Cola 22nd July. Mecca Cola available as alternative to Coca Cola (donates 10% of profits to Palestine, 10% to other charities). Price of heroin on UK streets is very low because of record harvest in Afghanistan. Women’s position in Afghanistan still very difficult.
Recent Events reports from LCAW conference - Sally has sent out reminders to facilitators to get reports in. Lenni Brenner meeting was very interesting. Unity Day in Halifax went well - good turnout, no problems. Trade for Change event - 6/7 MPs present, steel band, good coverage and participation.
Future Events
Headingley group agreed to finance new banner for LCAW.
12th July Kirkstall Festival 12-4: Milan & Mick to see if stall can be organised.
14th July, 7.30pm All HallowsAll Hallows Church 24 Regent Terrace Leeds LS6 1NP. Jo Wilding went to Iraq to act as a human rights observer. Over the next six and a half weeks Jo lived in Baghdad and her Iraq diary – a powerful and moving account of her experiences – were published in the Guardian and on the internet becoming a welcome humanitarian alternative to the propaganda of the US and UK governments and ‘embedded’ journalists. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. Further details 0113 242 2205
Wed 16th July showing of videos and discussion Options Centre, George Street, Dewsbury 7.30- 9.15 tel. (01924) 452984 for details.
19th July stall at Alliance for Green Socialism Garden Party
22nd July Day of Action against Coca Cola for their support of assassinations of trade union activists (Colombia Solidarity Campaign).
27th July Leeds Grand Theatre Tony Benn - to help on stall, arrive at 6.30pm Ben, Joel, John, Isaac to help.
29th July 8pm Adelphi, Hunslet Road, European Social Forum mobilising meeting
3rd August Leeds Mela stall booked volunteers call Joel (07900) 810377.
Chapel Allerton Festival first weekend in September.
6th-12th September Arms Trade Fair in London. Agreed to LCAW support demonstration (no financial commitment) Contact to go: Joel (07900) 810377.
27th September National Demonstration - model resolution to trade unions gone out. Pricing of coaches - agreed that need to cover costs. Pricing to be agreed by Frances and Steve.
22nd October George Galloway meeting in Leeds. Leeds Town Hall cost would be approx. £1000, Leeds Civic Hall and other venues being investigated as possible alternatives. Decision to be taken once full budget worked out.
Trade Unions - people to be asked for contacts urgently to be mailed to David Nagle.
Finance Deficit £280 on general account, £3000 on account for worker, some money for CDs still to come in. To check whether money from last Bar Med benefit has been collected yet. Agreed to try to organise Casa Latina benefit at Bar Med about 13th September if possible. Agreed to try to organise fundraising social - Isaac to investigate with Joel. Andy suggested might be a good idea to have sub groups to work on particular areas.
Local groups Headingley group planning to become more active for national demo.
Beeston group - meeting being organised.
Press & Publicity Dave not present to with leaflet draft. Alasdair to email to chase Dave and circulate draft to leaflet group as soon as it is available. Ben to put out press release.
Contact with other groups Isaac keen on Cairo Declaration - Mick and Andy also interested.
Sylvia Boyes - peace protester - in Long Newton HMP, Brasside, Durham DH1 5SD - messages of support welcome.
Next LCAW meetings 28th July, 11th August, Leeds Civic Hall, 7.30pm
Present 14 members plus 5 from Dewsbury
Apologies John D., Sally K., Steve J., John W.
Minutes of last meeting accepted
Matters arising No leaflet draft on Iraq & Palestine ready yet.
Current International Situation Discussion about Iraqi weapons is still undermining Government credibility. Interesting anti-Blair websites. Alastair Campbell/BBC debate is keeping arguments about Iraqi weapons going and making government look bad. Need to look ahead and not get bogged down in trivia. Americans planning to build military bases in several countries in Africa. Huge oil pipeline being built through Ecuador. Colombia - level of paramilitary violence against trade unionists is horrific. Day of Action against Coca Cola 22nd July. Mecca Cola available as alternative to Coca Cola (donates 10% of profits to Palestine, 10% to other charities). Price of heroin on UK streets is very low because of record harvest in Afghanistan. Women’s position in Afghanistan still very difficult.
Recent Events reports from LCAW conference - Sally has sent out reminders to facilitators to get reports in. Lenni Brenner meeting was very interesting. Unity Day in Halifax went well - good turnout, no problems. Trade for Change event - 6/7 MPs present, steel band, good coverage and participation.
Future Events
Headingley group agreed to finance new banner for LCAW.
12th July Kirkstall Festival 12-4: Milan & Mick to see if stall can be organised.
14th July, 7.30pm All HallowsAll Hallows Church 24 Regent Terrace Leeds LS6 1NP. Jo Wilding went to Iraq to act as a human rights observer. Over the next six and a half weeks Jo lived in Baghdad and her Iraq diary – a powerful and moving account of her experiences – were published in the Guardian and on the internet becoming a welcome humanitarian alternative to the propaganda of the US and UK governments and ‘embedded’ journalists. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. Further details 0113 242 2205
Wed 16th July showing of videos and discussion Options Centre, George Street, Dewsbury 7.30- 9.15 tel. (01924) 452984 for details.
19th July stall at Alliance for Green Socialism Garden Party
22nd July Day of Action against Coca Cola for their support of assassinations of trade union activists (Colombia Solidarity Campaign).
27th July Leeds Grand Theatre Tony Benn - to help on stall, arrive at 6.30pm Ben, Joel, John, Isaac to help.
29th July 8pm Adelphi, Hunslet Road, European Social Forum mobilising meeting
3rd August Leeds Mela stall booked volunteers call Joel (07900) 810377.
Chapel Allerton Festival first weekend in September.
6th-12th September Arms Trade Fair in London. Agreed to LCAW support demonstration (no financial commitment) Contact to go: Joel (07900) 810377.
27th September National Demonstration - model resolution to trade unions gone out. Pricing of coaches - agreed that need to cover costs. Pricing to be agreed by Frances and Steve.
22nd October George Galloway meeting in Leeds. Leeds Town Hall cost would be approx. £1000, Leeds Civic Hall and other venues being investigated as possible alternatives. Decision to be taken once full budget worked out.
Trade Unions - people to be asked for contacts urgently to be mailed to David Nagle.
Finance Deficit £280 on general account, £3000 on account for worker, some money for CDs still to come in. To check whether money from last Bar Med benefit has been collected yet. Agreed to try to organise Casa Latina benefit at Bar Med about 13th September if possible. Agreed to try to organise fundraising social - Isaac to investigate with Joel. Andy suggested might be a good idea to have sub groups to work on particular areas.
Local groups Headingley group planning to become more active for national demo.
Beeston group - meeting being organised.
Press & Publicity Dave not present to with leaflet draft. Alasdair to email to chase Dave and circulate draft to leaflet group as soon as it is available. Ben to put out press release.
Contact with other groups Isaac keen on Cairo Declaration - Mick and Andy also interested.
Sylvia Boyes - peace protester - in Long Newton HMP, Brasside, Durham DH1 5SD - messages of support welcome.
Next LCAW meetings 28th July, 11th August, Leeds Civic Hall, 7.30pm
