DON'T WAIT FOR HISTORY TO JUDGE BLAIR. See Section 10.
Coach tickets to the 27th Sept National Demo are now available.
NEW CALL FOR WITNESSES. Please See Section 6.
Coach tickets to the 27th Sept National Demo are now available.
NEW CALL FOR WITNESSES. Please See Section 6.
BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR NEWS : 30th August 2003
News Around Bristol:
http://bristol.indymedia.org
For National News Visit: http://indymedia.org.uk/
DON'T WAIT FOR HISTORY TO JUDGE BLAIR. See Section 10.
Coach tickets to the 27th Sept National Demo are now available.
NEW CALL FOR WITNESSES. Please See Section 6.
*Updated Section **New Section
1) *DISARM: DSEi 2003: 6th-10th Sept
2) Prepare: DSEi Direct Action Training
3) BRISTOL PUBLIC MEETING: 11th Sept
4) **Picket: MOD Open Day: 13th Sept
5) Talk: Kirkuk To Horfield: 16th Sept
6) *Legal: Charged With Being Run Over!
7) *Fairford Trials: Hearing & Vigil: 19th Sept
8) **Films: Includes 'Human Shields': 23rd Sept
9) **National Grassroots Conference: 26-28th Sept
10) NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION: 27th Sept
11) Trident Ploughshares Camp: 2nd-6th Oct
12) *News: 2nd Anniversary Of 9/11
13) Planning Groups In Bristol & Bath
14) How This Forum Works
1) DISARM : DSEi WEAPONS FAIR 2003 : 6th-10th SEPTEMBER
Organisers Link: http://www.dsei.org/
INTERNATIONAL CALL TO ACTION: LONDON 6TH – 10TH SEPT 2003
For a full list of Arms Traders:
http://www.dsei.co.uk/exhibit_list_2003.htm
BACKGROUND: "DSEi is one of the worlds biggest trade fairs for guns,
bombs, planes, arms, mines & tanks. Taking place in London Docklands
at the Excel Centre, from 9–12th Sept, protesters from around the
world are invited to the UK to target, not just the fair itself, but
the businesses behind it. The last DSEi exhibition took place over
11th Sept 2001. While many businesses around the world closed, the
arms fair stayed open. For 3 more days countries (including US,
Israel & 14 Arab Nations) continued to shop side-by-side. Defence
Systems Equipment International (DSEi 2003) is sponsored by the
British govt. It will host arms buyers from countries on Amnesty
Internationals list of human rights abusers.
*SAT 6th SEPTEMBER: 'NO ARMS FAIR' UNITY MARCH. Central London.
*TIME: 12:00noon. PLACE: Victoria Embankment. Temple Tube. MAP BELOW:
* http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=531000&Y=180500&scale=10000
SUN 7th - MON 8th SEPTEMBER: DISARM DSEi COUNTER CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE VENUE: Convergence Centre. Kingsley Hall. Powis Rd. London
E3. The Nearest Tube Is Bromley-by-Bow. MAP BELOW:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=537810&Y=182694&A=Y&Z=1
SUN 7th: Day One. 10:30am-5:30pm. Plus: 5:30-8:00pm Informal Events.
MON 8th: Day Two. 10:30am-5:30pm: Plus. 5:30-8:00pm Informal Events.
For More Info:
conference@dsei.org Or Visit: http://www.dsei.org
TUE 9th SEPTEMBER: 'FLUFFY DSEi' NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION.
Please visit the Diasrm DSEi 2003 for more info: http://www.dsei.org
TIME: 1:00pm. PLACE: Connaught Bridge Underpass. Eastern end of Excel.
(Nearest tube Royal Albert) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=541500&Y=181000&scale=1000
WED 10th SEPTEMBER: DESTROY DSEi DAY OF ACTION @EXCEL
TIME: 8:00am - Critical Mass Demonstration. Cycle To Excel.
PLACE: In front of Royal Exchange. Near Bank Tube. EC4. Off The
Junction Of Threadneedle St & Queen Victoria St. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=532750&Y=181000&scale=10000
TIME: 9:00am - BLOCKADE MEETING POINT. Please Dress Smart If Possible.
PLACE: Victoria Dock Rd. Inside Custom House Station (DLR &
Silverlink). Follow signs to EXCEL. Dress Smart. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=540500&Y=181000&scale=10000
TIME: 11:00am - MASS BLOCKADE. PLACE: Canning Town Roundabout.
(Nearest tube station Canning Town) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=539500&Y=181500&scale=10000
TIME: 11:00am - MASS BLOCKADE. PLACE: Western end of Royal Albert Way.
Connaught Bridge Underpass. (Nearest tube Royal Albert) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=541500&Y=181000&scale=10000
FOR AN INTERACTIVE LONDON MAP: http://map.tfl.gov.uk/map.asp
2) PREPARE : DSEi 2003 NVDA TRAINING : 5th-10th SEPTEMBER
Interested in organising for DSEi in the South West & Wales?
Contact: mikeybrooke@yahoo.com (Cardiff Anarchist Network)
PREPARE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE ARMS TRADE AT DSEi 2003
Interested in taking non-violent direct action (NVDA) but want more
info first? Want to learn new techniques for dealing with
confrontational situations? Like to gain some new practical skills?
Done it all before, & keen to share your experience? From 5th-10th
September the DSEi NVDA Training Collective will be co-ordinating a
rolling programme of NVDA training & skill-sharing. We want to share
ideas, solve problems & prepare for effective & safe action at the
DSEi arms fair. We'll be covering a wide range of skills & catering
for all levels of experience. So whether you're completely new to it,
or a veteran campaigner, we'd value your involvement.
THE DSEi NVDA TRAINING COLLECTIVE WANTS TO WORK WITH YOU.
NVDA training will take place from 5-10th Sept at the addresses below:
a) Trinity Centre. 119 East India Dock Rd. (All Saints DLR) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=539000&Y=181000&scale=10000
There will also be training on Sun 7th Sept at the Counter Conference.
b) Kingsley Hall. Powis Rd. (Near Bromley By Bow Tube). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=537500&Y=182500&scale=10000
FOR MORE INFO: Tel: 07796 430141 Email: holly@gn.apc.org
Post: NVDA Training Collective. 16b Cherwell St. Oxford. OX4 1BG.
3) BRISTOL PUBLIC MEETING : 'THE OTHER SEPTEMBER 11th'
The US has organised coups and invasions against other countries for
many years. Chile on 11th September 1973, & Iraq in 2003 are only 2
examples. Britain is often involved. Why do they do it? & how can we
build a more effective opposition?
DATE: Thurs 11th Sept. TIME: 7:30-9:15pm. FREE ENTRY
VENUE: St Mary On The Quay Church Hall. Colston Avenue. City Centre.
(Opposite The War Memorial). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=173000&scale=1000
BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR PUBLIC MEETING. Speakers To Be Confirmed.
"This war was wrong before it started & it remains wrong. It is
illegal, immoral & unnecessary. The reasons for war were given as the
existence of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Not a single WMD has
been found, even though many sites identified as containing them have
been visited. Even if any are now found the conduct of the war makes
it clear the Iraqi regime did not intend to use them. The US & UK
showed their war aims early by taking over 600 oil wells.
reconstruction of Iraq will be carried out mainly by US companies.
There is much talk of the oil becoming the property of the Iraqi
people but all the signs are that revenues from the oil will be
used to feed the profits of the primarily US construction companies."
4) PICKET : MOD OPEN DAY : SAT 13th SEPTEMBER
There will be a picket of Abbey Wood MOD in Abbey Wood from 12:00noon
on Sat 13th. Please come along & join the picket. There will be
banners & leaflets to hand out to visitors, but please also feel free
to make your own banners, & please feel free to make your own
leaflets too if there's a message you want to give to people.
DATE: Sat 13th Sept. TIME: 12:00noon onwards. MEET: Abbey Wood Train
Station. (Off the junction of Filton Ave & Station Rd.) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=361000&Y=179000&scale=10000
BUSES: 70/73/99 from Centre. Or try going by train. TRAIN TIMES BELOW:
http://www.wessextrains.co.uk/uploads/documents/106.pdf
"According to the MOD the work of the Defence Procurement Agency
(DPA) is vital & underpins the effectiveness of the UK's armed
forces. Their training is useless if sailors, soldiers & airforce do
not have the right equipment. The task of supplying that falls to
the massive Abbey Wood MOD site in Bristol. They are responsible for
everything from the 2 new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, to
the high energy ration packs designed to keep troops mobile. On Sept
13th the MOD will throw open the gates of Abbey Wood complex, &
people will be invited to see for themselves. The MOD open day is
part of the National Heritage Open Day."
5) TALK : 'KIRKUK TO HORFIELD' : TUE 16th SEPTEMBER
Sami Velioglu, has recently returned home after driving an ambulance
full of medical supplies from Bristol to Iraq. Come & hear Sami
describe his experiences, & hear first-hand what is happening in Iraq
under British & American occupation.
DATE: Tues 16th Sept. TIME: 7:30-9:00pm. FREE ENTRY
VENUE: Friends Meeting House. 300 Gloucester Road. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359500&Y=176000&scale=10000
"Sami Velioglu lives in the UK, & has family in Kirkuk. Sami sold
many of his possessions & brought a 2nd hand ambulance. With the help
of local activists enough funds were raised to fill the ambulance
with medical supplies & drive it overland to Iraq, donating both the
supplies & ambulance on arrival. Sami travelled 3000 miles to the
Turkish/Iraqi Border, with two other companions in a Land Rover, but
only Sami was allowed in, as British Nationals we're being turned
away. Sami's dual nationality enabled him to get through. He then
joined up with the Turkish Red Crescent for the final part of his
journey. Dr Mary Page, who took unpaid leave to travel to Kirkuk, but
who was turned away at the border said, 'The hospitals have no
equipment, no medical supplies. They were very short before the war
because of the sanctions, but since then, with all the looting, the
equipment has gone and no drugs are available. We are desperate to
help the people there.'"
WE ARE STILL COLLECTING FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES.
Cheques are payable to: Bristol Stop The War Coalition.
Post to: BSTWC. Greenleaf Books. Box 45. 82 Colston St. BS1 5BB.
Please write 'Medicine For Iraq' on the back of cheques.
6) LEGAL : PROTESTER TO BE CHARGED WITH BEING RUN OVER!
Witnesses to these events are wanted. If you're able to act as a
witness please contact Ivor on 0117 9422682 or 07791 752574.
PLEA HEARING: Tue 16th Sept. TIME: 2:00pm. All Support Welcome.
COURT: Bristol Magistrates Court. Nelson St. Broadmead. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=358500&Y=173000&scale=10000
RUN OVER PROTESTER TO BE CHARGED WITH VEHICLE INTERFERENCE.
"On 26th March a number of people taking part in the Peace Vigil in
the centre of Bristol, swelled into the road & began a spontaneous
sit-down protest. Some of us had doubts as to the effectiveness of a
sit-down protest in rush hour, but once a few people sat down it
seemed important there were enough of us to prevent anyone getting
mown down (not that any civilised person would drive their car AT
someone ... or would they??) & so more people joined in.
Minutes later a red Jeep-type vehicle mounted the reservation between
the lanes of traffic & drove through the crowd. A smaller car tried
to follow, failed to mount the reservation & ploughed straight into
the people sitting down. As the car careered towards one man his
instinctive reaction was to leap onto the bonnet to avoid getting
mown down by the motorist. The man managed to hang on for life as the
driver careered along, trying to shake him off. When this failed the
crazed motorist eventually drew to a halt.
Bus drivers, passers-by, & other drivers expressed amazement at the
behaviour of the driver. Having ascertained the man who'd been on the
receiving end wasn't seriously hurt, I set about trying to establish
what the police were going to do. They weren't terribly keen to
record witness statements of those who offered them. The shock of
many members of the public only increased when said driver was
allowed to drive off, apparently not to be charged."
TO READ THIS REPORT IN FULL VISIT:
http://www.bristol.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=7751&group=webcast
7) FAIRFORD TRIALS : HEARING & VIGIL : FRI 19th SEPTEMBER
Related Link: http://www.fairfordpeacewatch.com
DATE: Fri 19th Sept. TIME: 9:15am onwards.
PLACE: Gloucester Crown Court. Kimbrose Way. Along the A430 off the
A38. On the junction of Commercial Rd & Southgate St. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=383000&Y=218500&scale=10000
THESE TRIALS WILL CONSIDER THE LEGALITY OF THE WAR ON IRAQ.
The Plea & Directions Hearing for the Fairford Defendants coincides
with 6 months on from the invasion of Iraq. Vigils will be held
across the country to mark this date. There will also be a Vigil
outside Gloucester Crown Court prior to the Hearing.
Bristol lifts will be available. Tel: 0117 9466885 or 07711 214168
Related Link: http://www.fairfordpeacewatch.com/CourtHearings.html
PLEA AND DIRECTIONS HEARING FOR THE 'FAIRFORD DEFENDANTS'.
"On 19th September Judge Jamie Tabor, sitting in Gloucester Crown
Court, will decide on the procedures by which the 'Fairford' jury
trials will be heard. All the defendants in these 4 cases - Paul
Milling, Margaret Jones, Phil Pritchard, Toby Olditch, Josh Richards,
Kate Holcombe, Geoffrey Cornock - will invoke 'lawful excuse' for
disabling, or attempting to disable, planes & support equipment at
Fairford Air Force base (in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire) in the
weeks just prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq . All of them acted on
the grounds that the war on Iraq was illegal making their actions, or
attempted actions, legal."
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND BOTH THE VIGIL & HEARING.
8) FILMS : INCLUDES 'HUMAN SHIELDS' : TUE 23rd SEPTEMBER
Organisers Link: http://bristol.indymedia.org/
DATE: Tue 23rd Sept. TIME: 7:00pm onwards.
TAX: £3 waged / £2 unwaged (no one turned away through lack of funds)
VENUE: Cube Cinema. Dove Street South. Kings Square (Off Jamaica St.)
MAP: http://www.cubecinema.com/directions.html INFO: Tel: 0117 9074190
INDYMEDIA FILM NIGHTS : "An ongoing showcase of contemporary
filmmakers, who are finding new forms of cinema to show resistance to
globalization throughout the world. The line-up on Tue 23rd Sept
includes community films from the Knowle West media project, the
Indymedia euro newsreel, vision 20/20 - a short film about the impact
of genetically modified seeds on Indian farmers - & local campaign
speakers. The main feature will be 'THE HUMAN SHIELDS' - from the
makers of 'Not in my name' & 'Proud Arabs, Texas Oilmen' (both of
which have been shown widely in Bristol) - In Jan 2003 around 25
people set out on a journey to Iraq, in 3 London double-decker buses.
Their aim was to stop the war on Iraq. The film asks what difference
did the human shields make? Did they save lives? Did they affect the
conduct of the war?"
PLEASE NOTE: This is a preliminary line up. Please check the link
above for more info, or keep an eye on the CUBE website:
http://www.cubecinema.com/home.html
9) NATIONAL GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE : 26-28th SEPTEMBER
Organisers Link: http://www.j-n-v.org/
DATE: Fri 26-Sun 28th Sept. Timed To Coincide With The National Demo.
VENUE: Conway Hall. Red Lion Square. London. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=530500&Y=181500&scale=10000
PROGRAMME: More Details To Follow. Visit: http://www.j-n-v.org/
FRI 26th SEPTEMBER: 7:00pm–9:00pm. Introduction To Conference.
Focussed around recent protest which has taken place at US Military
Bases within the UK, & other forms of Direct Action.
SAT 27th SEPTEMBER: 9:00am-12:00noon. Opening plenary & workshops in
the lead up to the National Demo at 1:00pm. More Details To Follow.
SUN 28th SEPTEMBER: 9:00am-3:00pm. Workshops. Report backs. Close.
Make the most of the National March & join the Grassroots Conference.
"The Demonstration on 15th February was an amazing experience - but
it didn't stop the war. Since then, activists all over the country
have been doing some hard thinking. What can we do to prevent the
next war? It's time to share ideas & build on them. Justice Not
Vengeance (JNV) is organising a 'grassroots conference' for activists
to debate, share skills, experience & ideas. It's built around the
National Demo on 27th to allow groups outside of London to make the
most of your trip.
You'll have chance to network with other groups, publicise local
actions, find people willing to share or train in specific skills –
street theatre, lobbying, banner-making, perimeter penetration,
music, puppets … you name it! We aim to discuss where the anti-war
movement is now, what the US & UK might do next, & what actions we
can take to pre-empt them – permanently. Above all, remember this is
your event. The role of JNV is to help bring groups & individuals
together."
Links: http://www.caab.org.uk & http://www.reclaimthebases.org.uk
TAX: It will help us if you are able to purchase tickets in advance.
INDIVIDUAL: In advance £10 waged/ £5 unwaged. (£12 / £7 on the door)
GROUPS: If you can't send a delegate, please support this initiative
by sending a donation: £10 local groups, £50 national. We will keep
you in touch with JNV initiatives, & give you the chance to publicise
events & actions via the JNV network.
TEL: 2BConfirmed. EMAIL: 2BConfirmed. Cheques Payable To: JNV. Post
To: JNV. 29 Gensing Rd. St Leonards On Sea. East Sussex. TN38 0HE.
10) NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION (LONDON) : SAT 27th SEPT
National Demonstration To End The Occupation Of Iraq & Palestine.
ROUTE OF MARCH: The route of the march is under negotiation. A map of
the route with coach drop-off & pick-up points will be available soon.
BRISTOL COACH TICKETS* : £12 waged - £6 concessions.
AVAILABLE FROM: Greenleaf Books. 82 Colston St. City Centre
(Near Top of Christmas Steps). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=173000&scale=10000
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM: Katze. 55 Gloucester Road. MAP BELOW
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=175000&scale=10000
COACHES LEAVE: Anchor Rd Coach Park @ 8:30am on Sat 27th Sept.
(Near @Bristol. Behind the Watershed Complex. City Centre). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=358500&Y=173000&scale=10000
COACHES RETURN: 8:30pm approx. Dropping off at Broadmead & Anchor Rd.
*Please buy your coach ticket early as it causes organisational
problems when the majority of people buy tickets in the final 72 hrs.
DON'T WAIT FOR HISTORY TO JUDGE BLAIR. "Feb 15th saw the UK's largest
ever anti-war demonstration, echoed in cities across the world.
Despite this unparalleled opposition Blair pushed ahead with the
invasion. Lies used to justify the invasion are being exposed. The
death toll in Iraq mounts. Whatever their view of Saddam Hussein,
Iraqi people resent the occupation of their country. Schools &
hospitals, electricity & water supplies barely function. There are
daily attacks on the occupying forces. US companies are handed
lucrative contracts to rebuild facilities destroyed by bombing, & the
oil industry is to be privatised."
11) 2ND TRIDENT PLOUGHSHARES PEACE CAMP : 2nd - 6th OCTOBER
Organisers Link: http://www.tridentploughshares.org/index.php
DATE : 2nd-6th Oct 2003. PLACE : Plymouth. Devenport Dockyard.
The camp will primarily consist of educational workshops & NVDA
training (non-violent direct action). There will also be a mass
blockade beginning on Monday morning. Further details are to be
confirmed. Come to the camp for direct action, & to play a major
historical role in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
FURTHER INFO: Claire 0845 4588363 or Sandra sandranarcho@yahoo.co.uk
Maps & Links: http://www.tridentploughshares.org/devonport/maps.php
"Trident Ploughshares is a part of the international nuclear
disarmament movement. Trident Ploughshares activists pledge to disarm
UK Trident nuclear weapons system in a non-violent, open, peaceful,
safe & fully accountable manner. The UK's Trident nuclear weapons
system is based on 4 submarines which carry between 12 & 16 missiles,
each of which can deliver a number of 100 kiloton warheads to
individual targets - mass destruction on an unimaginable level.
One of the Trident nuclear submarines, HMS Vanguard, is currently
being refitted at Devonport Dockyard which not only poses a threat to
world peace, & is illegal under international law, but also poses a
major threat to the health & safety of the 270,000 plus citizens of
Plymouth along with a fleet of Hunter nuclear submarines."
12) NEWS : THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
Full Story: http://www.counterpunch.org/krieger08232003.html
"As we approach the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks of
9/11 it is important to take a hard look at the direction the US has
taken since these tragic events occurred. The US has attacked
Afghanistan & driven the Taliban regime from power. In the process,
we killed some 3,000 to 5,000 civilians, more than died at the World
Trade Centre & Pentagon. The US has not been able to locate & capture
Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
Reports from Afghanistan are that the US-backed regime there controls
little more than the city of Kabul, & warlords are in control of the
rest of the country.
The US has attacked Iraq, with neither evidence of a link with the
9/1l terrorists, nor with the sanction of the UN. The US preventive
war against Iraq killed 6,000 to 8,000 civilians, about twice as many
as at the World Trade Centre & Pentagon. It has come to light that
the Bush administration used false intelligence to inflate its claim
that Iraq posed an imminent threat against the US. The US has not
been able to capture Saddam Hussein or the Taliban leader, Mullah
Omar. Nor have any of the purported weapons of mass destruction been
found. There is a strong sense the Iraqi people are opposed to US
occupation, & US soldiers are being killed on an almost daily basis.
Saboteurs have also been attacking the Iraqi oil pipelines.
In addition to the price in US & Iraqi lives, the occupation is
costing US taxpayers nearly $4 billion each month. There is no clear
plan for US withdrawal from Iraq, & the administration will not
predict how long US troops are likely to remain. US corporations,
with links to the Bush administration, are being given lucrative
contracts to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure & manage its oil
production. Furthermore, the US has held prisoners, including US
citizens, in a manner that defies the Geneva Conventions on the
treatment of prisoners. The administration, aided by the Congress,
has instituted the US Patriot Act, which restricts the civil
liberties of all Americans. The administration has put forward
further legislation that provides even more drastic restrictions on
our liberties.
Mr. Bush, in the safety of the White House, challenged the militants
attacking US troops in Iraq with the rash & taunting
remark, 'Bring 'em on.' This drew many negative responses from the
troops stationed in Iraq & their families. 2 years after 9/11
Americans do not appear to be safer from terrorist attacks than they
were before 9/11. We have a new bureaucracy, the Department of
Homeland Security, & a system of color-coded warnings, but these do
not seem to be barriers to terrorist threats. There is no reason to
believe terrorists hate the US because they envy our way of life, as
Mr. Bush says, & every reason to believe that terrorists oppose our
political & economic policies, particularly in the Middle East."
David Krieger. 23rd August 2003. Counterpunch.
13) PLANNING MEETINGS IN BRISTOL & BATH
a) THE MAIN BRISTOL PLANNING MEETING IN THE CITY CENTRE.
All are 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 Demos 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: St. Mary on the Quay
Hall. City Centre. Colston Ave. (Opposite War Memorial). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=173000&scale=10000
b) BATH: Bath-Stop-The-War meet every other Wed. Next meeting 3rd Sep.
TIME: 8:00-9:30pm @Friends Meeting House. York St. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=375000&Y=164500&scale=10000
Bath Website: http://www.bathstopwar.org.uk/
c) BISHOPSTON: Bishopston Group meet every Tuesday. TIME: 7:30-9:00pm
@Friends Meeting House. 300 Gloucester Rd. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359500&Y=176000&scale=10000
d) MONTPELIER: Montpelier Group meet on the 1st Wed of each month.
TIME: 7:00-8:00pm @Bristolian Cafe. Picton St. MAP BELOW.
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=174000&scale=10000
e) ST.WERBURGHS: St.Werburghs Group meet every Wed. TIME: 7:00-8:00pm
@St.Werburghs Community Centre. Horley Rd. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=360000&Y=174500&scale=10000
f) UWE (University) STOP THE WAR: To receive updates send a blank
email to: uwestopthewar-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
14) HOW THIS FORUM WORKS
a) People can join our mailing list by sending a blank email to:
bristol-stop-the-war-coalition-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
b) You can email us: bristol-stop-the-war-coalition@yahoogroups.com
c) Visit us to view & post messages:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-stop-the-war-coalition
d) At the above address click MESSAGES for our message archive, POST
to post from the webpage, & LINKS for news & political links.
e) Please email us with information, discussion & questions, but
unless you're engaging in discussion, please only send submissions of
relevance to the South West.
"If you go to one demonstration and then go home, that's something,
but people in power can live with that. What they can't live with is
sustained pressure that keeps building, organisations that keep doing
things, people that keep learning from the last time and doing it
better next time." Noam Chomsky
SAY YES 2 PEACE .... SAY YES 2 PEACE .... SAY YES 2 PEACE
News Around Bristol:
http://bristol.indymedia.org For National News Visit:
http://indymedia.org.uk/ DON'T WAIT FOR HISTORY TO JUDGE BLAIR. See Section 10.
Coach tickets to the 27th Sept National Demo are now available.
NEW CALL FOR WITNESSES. Please See Section 6.
*Updated Section **New Section
1) *DISARM: DSEi 2003: 6th-10th Sept
2) Prepare: DSEi Direct Action Training
3) BRISTOL PUBLIC MEETING: 11th Sept
4) **Picket: MOD Open Day: 13th Sept
5) Talk: Kirkuk To Horfield: 16th Sept
6) *Legal: Charged With Being Run Over!
7) *Fairford Trials: Hearing & Vigil: 19th Sept
8) **Films: Includes 'Human Shields': 23rd Sept
9) **National Grassroots Conference: 26-28th Sept
10) NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION: 27th Sept
11) Trident Ploughshares Camp: 2nd-6th Oct
12) *News: 2nd Anniversary Of 9/11
13) Planning Groups In Bristol & Bath
14) How This Forum Works
1) DISARM : DSEi WEAPONS FAIR 2003 : 6th-10th SEPTEMBER
Organisers Link:
http://www.dsei.org/ INTERNATIONAL CALL TO ACTION: LONDON 6TH – 10TH SEPT 2003
For a full list of Arms Traders:
http://www.dsei.co.uk/exhibit_list_2003.htm BACKGROUND: "DSEi is one of the worlds biggest trade fairs for guns,
bombs, planes, arms, mines & tanks. Taking place in London Docklands
at the Excel Centre, from 9–12th Sept, protesters from around the
world are invited to the UK to target, not just the fair itself, but
the businesses behind it. The last DSEi exhibition took place over
11th Sept 2001. While many businesses around the world closed, the
arms fair stayed open. For 3 more days countries (including US,
Israel & 14 Arab Nations) continued to shop side-by-side. Defence
Systems Equipment International (DSEi 2003) is sponsored by the
British govt. It will host arms buyers from countries on Amnesty
Internationals list of human rights abusers.
*SAT 6th SEPTEMBER: 'NO ARMS FAIR' UNITY MARCH. Central London.
*TIME: 12:00noon. PLACE: Victoria Embankment. Temple Tube. MAP BELOW:
*
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=531000&Y=180500&scale=10000 SUN 7th - MON 8th SEPTEMBER: DISARM DSEi COUNTER CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE VENUE: Convergence Centre. Kingsley Hall. Powis Rd. London
E3. The Nearest Tube Is Bromley-by-Bow. MAP BELOW:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=537810&Y=182694&A=Y&Z=1 SUN 7th: Day One. 10:30am-5:30pm. Plus: 5:30-8:00pm Informal Events.
MON 8th: Day Two. 10:30am-5:30pm: Plus. 5:30-8:00pm Informal Events.
For More Info:
conference@dsei.org Or Visit: http://www.dsei.org TUE 9th SEPTEMBER: 'FLUFFY DSEi' NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION.
Please visit the Diasrm DSEi 2003 for more info:
http://www.dsei.org TIME: 1:00pm. PLACE: Connaught Bridge Underpass. Eastern end of Excel.
(Nearest tube Royal Albert) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=541500&Y=181000&scale=1000 WED 10th SEPTEMBER: DESTROY DSEi DAY OF ACTION @EXCEL
TIME: 8:00am - Critical Mass Demonstration. Cycle To Excel.
PLACE: In front of Royal Exchange. Near Bank Tube. EC4. Off The
Junction Of Threadneedle St & Queen Victoria St. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=532750&Y=181000&scale=10000 TIME: 9:00am - BLOCKADE MEETING POINT. Please Dress Smart If Possible.
PLACE: Victoria Dock Rd. Inside Custom House Station (DLR &
Silverlink). Follow signs to EXCEL. Dress Smart. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=540500&Y=181000&scale=10000 TIME: 11:00am - MASS BLOCKADE. PLACE: Canning Town Roundabout.
(Nearest tube station Canning Town) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=539500&Y=181500&scale=10000 TIME: 11:00am - MASS BLOCKADE. PLACE: Western end of Royal Albert Way.
Connaught Bridge Underpass. (Nearest tube Royal Albert) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=541500&Y=181000&scale=10000 FOR AN INTERACTIVE LONDON MAP:
http://map.tfl.gov.uk/map.asp 2) PREPARE : DSEi 2003 NVDA TRAINING : 5th-10th SEPTEMBER
Interested in organising for DSEi in the South West & Wales?
Contact:
mikeybrooke@yahoo.com (Cardiff Anarchist Network) PREPARE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE ARMS TRADE AT DSEi 2003
Interested in taking non-violent direct action (NVDA) but want more
info first? Want to learn new techniques for dealing with
confrontational situations? Like to gain some new practical skills?
Done it all before, & keen to share your experience? From 5th-10th
September the DSEi NVDA Training Collective will be co-ordinating a
rolling programme of NVDA training & skill-sharing. We want to share
ideas, solve problems & prepare for effective & safe action at the
DSEi arms fair. We'll be covering a wide range of skills & catering
for all levels of experience. So whether you're completely new to it,
or a veteran campaigner, we'd value your involvement.
THE DSEi NVDA TRAINING COLLECTIVE WANTS TO WORK WITH YOU.
NVDA training will take place from 5-10th Sept at the addresses below:
a) Trinity Centre. 119 East India Dock Rd. (All Saints DLR) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=539000&Y=181000&scale=10000 There will also be training on Sun 7th Sept at the Counter Conference.
b) Kingsley Hall. Powis Rd. (Near Bromley By Bow Tube). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=537500&Y=182500&scale=10000 FOR MORE INFO: Tel: 07796 430141 Email:
holly@gn.apc.org Post: NVDA Training Collective. 16b Cherwell St. Oxford. OX4 1BG.
3) BRISTOL PUBLIC MEETING : 'THE OTHER SEPTEMBER 11th'
The US has organised coups and invasions against other countries for
many years. Chile on 11th September 1973, & Iraq in 2003 are only 2
examples. Britain is often involved. Why do they do it? & how can we
build a more effective opposition?
DATE: Thurs 11th Sept. TIME: 7:30-9:15pm. FREE ENTRY
VENUE: St Mary On The Quay Church Hall. Colston Avenue. City Centre.
(Opposite The War Memorial). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=173000&scale=1000 BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR PUBLIC MEETING. Speakers To Be Confirmed.
"This war was wrong before it started & it remains wrong. It is
illegal, immoral & unnecessary. The reasons for war were given as the
existence of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Not a single WMD has
been found, even though many sites identified as containing them have
been visited. Even if any are now found the conduct of the war makes
it clear the Iraqi regime did not intend to use them. The US & UK
showed their war aims early by taking over 600 oil wells.
reconstruction of Iraq will be carried out mainly by US companies.
There is much talk of the oil becoming the property of the Iraqi
people but all the signs are that revenues from the oil will be
used to feed the profits of the primarily US construction companies."
4) PICKET : MOD OPEN DAY : SAT 13th SEPTEMBER
There will be a picket of Abbey Wood MOD in Abbey Wood from 12:00noon
on Sat 13th. Please come along & join the picket. There will be
banners & leaflets to hand out to visitors, but please also feel free
to make your own banners, & please feel free to make your own
leaflets too if there's a message you want to give to people.
DATE: Sat 13th Sept. TIME: 12:00noon onwards. MEET: Abbey Wood Train
Station. (Off the junction of Filton Ave & Station Rd.) MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=361000&Y=179000&scale=10000 BUSES: 70/73/99 from Centre. Or try going by train. TRAIN TIMES BELOW:
http://www.wessextrains.co.uk/uploads/documents/106.pdf "According to the MOD the work of the Defence Procurement Agency
(DPA) is vital & underpins the effectiveness of the UK's armed
forces. Their training is useless if sailors, soldiers & airforce do
not have the right equipment. The task of supplying that falls to
the massive Abbey Wood MOD site in Bristol. They are responsible for
everything from the 2 new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, to
the high energy ration packs designed to keep troops mobile. On Sept
13th the MOD will throw open the gates of Abbey Wood complex, &
people will be invited to see for themselves. The MOD open day is
part of the National Heritage Open Day."
5) TALK : 'KIRKUK TO HORFIELD' : TUE 16th SEPTEMBER
Sami Velioglu, has recently returned home after driving an ambulance
full of medical supplies from Bristol to Iraq. Come & hear Sami
describe his experiences, & hear first-hand what is happening in Iraq
under British & American occupation.
DATE: Tues 16th Sept. TIME: 7:30-9:00pm. FREE ENTRY
VENUE: Friends Meeting House. 300 Gloucester Road. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359500&Y=176000&scale=10000 "Sami Velioglu lives in the UK, & has family in Kirkuk. Sami sold
many of his possessions & brought a 2nd hand ambulance. With the help
of local activists enough funds were raised to fill the ambulance
with medical supplies & drive it overland to Iraq, donating both the
supplies & ambulance on arrival. Sami travelled 3000 miles to the
Turkish/Iraqi Border, with two other companions in a Land Rover, but
only Sami was allowed in, as British Nationals we're being turned
away. Sami's dual nationality enabled him to get through. He then
joined up with the Turkish Red Crescent for the final part of his
journey. Dr Mary Page, who took unpaid leave to travel to Kirkuk, but
who was turned away at the border said, 'The hospitals have no
equipment, no medical supplies. They were very short before the war
because of the sanctions, but since then, with all the looting, the
equipment has gone and no drugs are available. We are desperate to
help the people there.'"
WE ARE STILL COLLECTING FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES.
Cheques are payable to: Bristol Stop The War Coalition.
Post to: BSTWC. Greenleaf Books. Box 45. 82 Colston St. BS1 5BB.
Please write 'Medicine For Iraq' on the back of cheques.
6) LEGAL : PROTESTER TO BE CHARGED WITH BEING RUN OVER!
Witnesses to these events are wanted. If you're able to act as a
witness please contact Ivor on 0117 9422682 or 07791 752574.
PLEA HEARING: Tue 16th Sept. TIME: 2:00pm. All Support Welcome.
COURT: Bristol Magistrates Court. Nelson St. Broadmead. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=358500&Y=173000&scale=10000 RUN OVER PROTESTER TO BE CHARGED WITH VEHICLE INTERFERENCE.
"On 26th March a number of people taking part in the Peace Vigil in
the centre of Bristol, swelled into the road & began a spontaneous
sit-down protest. Some of us had doubts as to the effectiveness of a
sit-down protest in rush hour, but once a few people sat down it
seemed important there were enough of us to prevent anyone getting
mown down (not that any civilised person would drive their car AT
someone ... or would they??) & so more people joined in.
Minutes later a red Jeep-type vehicle mounted the reservation between
the lanes of traffic & drove through the crowd. A smaller car tried
to follow, failed to mount the reservation & ploughed straight into
the people sitting down. As the car careered towards one man his
instinctive reaction was to leap onto the bonnet to avoid getting
mown down by the motorist. The man managed to hang on for life as the
driver careered along, trying to shake him off. When this failed the
crazed motorist eventually drew to a halt.
Bus drivers, passers-by, & other drivers expressed amazement at the
behaviour of the driver. Having ascertained the man who'd been on the
receiving end wasn't seriously hurt, I set about trying to establish
what the police were going to do. They weren't terribly keen to
record witness statements of those who offered them. The shock of
many members of the public only increased when said driver was
allowed to drive off, apparently not to be charged."
TO READ THIS REPORT IN FULL VISIT:
http://www.bristol.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=7751&group=webcast 7) FAIRFORD TRIALS : HEARING & VIGIL : FRI 19th SEPTEMBER
Related Link:
http://www.fairfordpeacewatch.com DATE: Fri 19th Sept. TIME: 9:15am onwards.
PLACE: Gloucester Crown Court. Kimbrose Way. Along the A430 off the
A38. On the junction of Commercial Rd & Southgate St. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=383000&Y=218500&scale=10000 THESE TRIALS WILL CONSIDER THE LEGALITY OF THE WAR ON IRAQ.
The Plea & Directions Hearing for the Fairford Defendants coincides
with 6 months on from the invasion of Iraq. Vigils will be held
across the country to mark this date. There will also be a Vigil
outside Gloucester Crown Court prior to the Hearing.
Bristol lifts will be available. Tel: 0117 9466885 or 07711 214168
Related Link:
http://www.fairfordpeacewatch.com/CourtHearings.html PLEA AND DIRECTIONS HEARING FOR THE 'FAIRFORD DEFENDANTS'.
"On 19th September Judge Jamie Tabor, sitting in Gloucester Crown
Court, will decide on the procedures by which the 'Fairford' jury
trials will be heard. All the defendants in these 4 cases - Paul
Milling, Margaret Jones, Phil Pritchard, Toby Olditch, Josh Richards,
Kate Holcombe, Geoffrey Cornock - will invoke 'lawful excuse' for
disabling, or attempting to disable, planes & support equipment at
Fairford Air Force base (in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire) in the
weeks just prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq . All of them acted on
the grounds that the war on Iraq was illegal making their actions, or
attempted actions, legal."
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND BOTH THE VIGIL & HEARING.
8) FILMS : INCLUDES 'HUMAN SHIELDS' : TUE 23rd SEPTEMBER
Organisers Link:
http://bristol.indymedia.org/ DATE: Tue 23rd Sept. TIME: 7:00pm onwards.
TAX: £3 waged / £2 unwaged (no one turned away through lack of funds)
VENUE: Cube Cinema. Dove Street South. Kings Square (Off Jamaica St.)
MAP:
http://www.cubecinema.com/directions.html INFO: Tel: 0117 9074190 INDYMEDIA FILM NIGHTS : "An ongoing showcase of contemporary
filmmakers, who are finding new forms of cinema to show resistance to
globalization throughout the world. The line-up on Tue 23rd Sept
includes community films from the Knowle West media project, the
Indymedia euro newsreel, vision 20/20 - a short film about the impact
of genetically modified seeds on Indian farmers - & local campaign
speakers. The main feature will be 'THE HUMAN SHIELDS' - from the
makers of 'Not in my name' & 'Proud Arabs, Texas Oilmen' (both of
which have been shown widely in Bristol) - In Jan 2003 around 25
people set out on a journey to Iraq, in 3 London double-decker buses.
Their aim was to stop the war on Iraq. The film asks what difference
did the human shields make? Did they save lives? Did they affect the
conduct of the war?"
PLEASE NOTE: This is a preliminary line up. Please check the link
above for more info, or keep an eye on the CUBE website:
http://www.cubecinema.com/home.html 9) NATIONAL GRASSROOTS CONFERENCE : 26-28th SEPTEMBER
Organisers Link:
http://www.j-n-v.org/ DATE: Fri 26-Sun 28th Sept. Timed To Coincide With The National Demo.
VENUE: Conway Hall. Red Lion Square. London. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=530500&Y=181500&scale=10000 PROGRAMME: More Details To Follow. Visit:
http://www.j-n-v.org/ FRI 26th SEPTEMBER: 7:00pm–9:00pm. Introduction To Conference.
Focussed around recent protest which has taken place at US Military
Bases within the UK, & other forms of Direct Action.
SAT 27th SEPTEMBER: 9:00am-12:00noon. Opening plenary & workshops in
the lead up to the National Demo at 1:00pm. More Details To Follow.
SUN 28th SEPTEMBER: 9:00am-3:00pm. Workshops. Report backs. Close.
Make the most of the National March & join the Grassroots Conference.
"The Demonstration on 15th February was an amazing experience - but
it didn't stop the war. Since then, activists all over the country
have been doing some hard thinking. What can we do to prevent the
next war? It's time to share ideas & build on them. Justice Not
Vengeance (JNV) is organising a 'grassroots conference' for activists
to debate, share skills, experience & ideas. It's built around the
National Demo on 27th to allow groups outside of London to make the
most of your trip.
You'll have chance to network with other groups, publicise local
actions, find people willing to share or train in specific skills –
street theatre, lobbying, banner-making, perimeter penetration,
music, puppets … you name it! We aim to discuss where the anti-war
movement is now, what the US & UK might do next, & what actions we
can take to pre-empt them – permanently. Above all, remember this is
your event. The role of JNV is to help bring groups & individuals
together."
Links:
http://www.caab.org.uk & http://www.reclaimthebases.org.uk TAX: It will help us if you are able to purchase tickets in advance.
INDIVIDUAL: In advance £10 waged/ £5 unwaged. (£12 / £7 on the door)
GROUPS: If you can't send a delegate, please support this initiative
by sending a donation: £10 local groups, £50 national. We will keep
you in touch with JNV initiatives, & give you the chance to publicise
events & actions via the JNV network.
TEL: 2BConfirmed. EMAIL: 2BConfirmed. Cheques Payable To: JNV. Post
To: JNV. 29 Gensing Rd. St Leonards On Sea. East Sussex. TN38 0HE.
10) NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION (LONDON) : SAT 27th SEPT
National Demonstration To End The Occupation Of Iraq & Palestine.
ROUTE OF MARCH: The route of the march is under negotiation. A map of
the route with coach drop-off & pick-up points will be available soon.
BRISTOL COACH TICKETS* : £12 waged - £6 concessions.
AVAILABLE FROM: Greenleaf Books. 82 Colston St. City Centre
(Near Top of Christmas Steps). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=173000&scale=10000 ALSO AVAILABLE FROM: Katze. 55 Gloucester Road. MAP BELOW
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=175000&scale=10000 COACHES LEAVE: Anchor Rd Coach Park @ 8:30am on Sat 27th Sept.
(Near @Bristol. Behind the Watershed Complex. City Centre). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=358500&Y=173000&scale=10000 COACHES RETURN: 8:30pm approx. Dropping off at Broadmead & Anchor Rd.
*Please buy your coach ticket early as it causes organisational
problems when the majority of people buy tickets in the final 72 hrs.
DON'T WAIT FOR HISTORY TO JUDGE BLAIR. "Feb 15th saw the UK's largest
ever anti-war demonstration, echoed in cities across the world.
Despite this unparalleled opposition Blair pushed ahead with the
invasion. Lies used to justify the invasion are being exposed. The
death toll in Iraq mounts. Whatever their view of Saddam Hussein,
Iraqi people resent the occupation of their country. Schools &
hospitals, electricity & water supplies barely function. There are
daily attacks on the occupying forces. US companies are handed
lucrative contracts to rebuild facilities destroyed by bombing, & the
oil industry is to be privatised."
11) 2ND TRIDENT PLOUGHSHARES PEACE CAMP : 2nd - 6th OCTOBER
Organisers Link:
http://www.tridentploughshares.org/index.php DATE : 2nd-6th Oct 2003. PLACE : Plymouth. Devenport Dockyard.
The camp will primarily consist of educational workshops & NVDA
training (non-violent direct action). There will also be a mass
blockade beginning on Monday morning. Further details are to be
confirmed. Come to the camp for direct action, & to play a major
historical role in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
FURTHER INFO: Claire 0845 4588363 or Sandra
sandranarcho@yahoo.co.uk Maps & Links:
http://www.tridentploughshares.org/devonport/maps.php "Trident Ploughshares is a part of the international nuclear
disarmament movement. Trident Ploughshares activists pledge to disarm
UK Trident nuclear weapons system in a non-violent, open, peaceful,
safe & fully accountable manner. The UK's Trident nuclear weapons
system is based on 4 submarines which carry between 12 & 16 missiles,
each of which can deliver a number of 100 kiloton warheads to
individual targets - mass destruction on an unimaginable level.
One of the Trident nuclear submarines, HMS Vanguard, is currently
being refitted at Devonport Dockyard which not only poses a threat to
world peace, & is illegal under international law, but also poses a
major threat to the health & safety of the 270,000 plus citizens of
Plymouth along with a fleet of Hunter nuclear submarines."
12) NEWS : THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
Full Story:
http://www.counterpunch.org/krieger08232003.html "As we approach the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks of
9/11 it is important to take a hard look at the direction the US has
taken since these tragic events occurred. The US has attacked
Afghanistan & driven the Taliban regime from power. In the process,
we killed some 3,000 to 5,000 civilians, more than died at the World
Trade Centre & Pentagon. The US has not been able to locate & capture
Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
Reports from Afghanistan are that the US-backed regime there controls
little more than the city of Kabul, & warlords are in control of the
rest of the country.
The US has attacked Iraq, with neither evidence of a link with the
9/1l terrorists, nor with the sanction of the UN. The US preventive
war against Iraq killed 6,000 to 8,000 civilians, about twice as many
as at the World Trade Centre & Pentagon. It has come to light that
the Bush administration used false intelligence to inflate its claim
that Iraq posed an imminent threat against the US. The US has not
been able to capture Saddam Hussein or the Taliban leader, Mullah
Omar. Nor have any of the purported weapons of mass destruction been
found. There is a strong sense the Iraqi people are opposed to US
occupation, & US soldiers are being killed on an almost daily basis.
Saboteurs have also been attacking the Iraqi oil pipelines.
In addition to the price in US & Iraqi lives, the occupation is
costing US taxpayers nearly $4 billion each month. There is no clear
plan for US withdrawal from Iraq, & the administration will not
predict how long US troops are likely to remain. US corporations,
with links to the Bush administration, are being given lucrative
contracts to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure & manage its oil
production. Furthermore, the US has held prisoners, including US
citizens, in a manner that defies the Geneva Conventions on the
treatment of prisoners. The administration, aided by the Congress,
has instituted the US Patriot Act, which restricts the civil
liberties of all Americans. The administration has put forward
further legislation that provides even more drastic restrictions on
our liberties.
Mr. Bush, in the safety of the White House, challenged the militants
attacking US troops in Iraq with the rash & taunting
remark, 'Bring 'em on.' This drew many negative responses from the
troops stationed in Iraq & their families. 2 years after 9/11
Americans do not appear to be safer from terrorist attacks than they
were before 9/11. We have a new bureaucracy, the Department of
Homeland Security, & a system of color-coded warnings, but these do
not seem to be barriers to terrorist threats. There is no reason to
believe terrorists hate the US because they envy our way of life, as
Mr. Bush says, & every reason to believe that terrorists oppose our
political & economic policies, particularly in the Middle East."
David Krieger. 23rd August 2003. Counterpunch.
13) PLANNING MEETINGS IN BRISTOL & BATH
a) THE MAIN BRISTOL PLANNING MEETING IN THE CITY CENTRE.
All are 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 Demos 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: St. Mary on the Quay
Hall. City Centre. Colston Ave. (Opposite War Memorial). MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=173000&scale=10000 b) BATH: Bath-Stop-The-War meet every other Wed. Next meeting 3rd Sep.
TIME: 8:00-9:30pm @Friends Meeting House. York St. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=375000&Y=164500&scale=10000 Bath Website:
http://www.bathstopwar.org.uk/ c) BISHOPSTON: Bishopston Group meet every Tuesday. TIME: 7:30-9:00pm
@Friends Meeting House. 300 Gloucester Rd. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359500&Y=176000&scale=10000 d) MONTPELIER: Montpelier Group meet on the 1st Wed of each month.
TIME: 7:00-8:00pm @Bristolian Cafe. Picton St. MAP BELOW.
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359000&Y=174000&scale=10000 e) ST.WERBURGHS: St.Werburghs Group meet every Wed. TIME: 7:00-8:00pm
@St.Werburghs Community Centre. Horley Rd. MAP BELOW:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=360000&Y=174500&scale=10000 f) UWE (University) STOP THE WAR: To receive updates send a blank
email to:
uwestopthewar-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 14) HOW THIS FORUM WORKS
a) People can join our mailing list by sending a blank email to:
bristol-stop-the-war-coalition-subscribe@yahoogroups.com b) You can email us:
bristol-stop-the-war-coalition@yahoogroups.com c) Visit us to view & post messages:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-stop-the-war-coalition d) At the above address click MESSAGES for our message archive, POST
to post from the webpage, & LINKS for news & political links.
e) Please email us with information, discussion & questions, but
unless you're engaging in discussion, please only send submissions of
relevance to the South West.
"If you go to one demonstration and then go home, that's something,
but people in power can live with that. What they can't live with is
sustained pressure that keeps building, organisations that keep doing
things, people that keep learning from the last time and doing it
better next time." Noam Chomsky
SAY YES 2 PEACE .... SAY YES 2 PEACE .... SAY YES 2 PEACE
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