Bristol-Stop-The-War News : 1st October 2003

News Around Bristol:  http://bristol.indymedia.org
Please spread this address around. If you know people who don't have
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*Updated Section **New Section
***International Events

1) **SPECIAL Planning Meetings: 5th & 7th Oct
2) Bristol Poetry & Roots Festival: 7-9th Oct
3) **Talk: 'Chile 1973 ~ The Other 9/11': 8th Oct
4) **Talk: 'Resolution Of Conflict...?': 8th Oct
5) **Benefit: HIP HOP 4 PALESTINE: 10th Oct
6) **Film: '...Hardy Vs Israeli Army': 11-15th Oct
7) **Films: Includes 'Why War?': 27th Oct
8) **Film: 'The Invisible War...': 28th Oct
9) ***2nd European Social Forum: 12-15th Nov
10) **BUSH TO VISIT BRITAIN: 19-21st Nov
11) *Legal: Fairford Trials Move To Bristol
12) Peace Vigils In Bristol & Bath
13) Planning Groups In Bristol & Bath
14) *CHANGES TO THIS FORUM


1) SPECIAL PLANNING MEETINGS : SUN 5th & TUE 7th OCTOBER
a) BRISTOL AGAINST WAR : 2001-2003 REVUE.  themandontgiveaf@hotmail.com
Come along to begin putting the pieces together for a night of
amusements & entertainment to document Bristol's rich antiwar history
in January 2004.
DATE: Sun 5th Oct. TIME: 6:30-9:30pm. Drop In At Any Time.
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
"Actors, acrobats, artists, dancers, direct activists, jugglers,
musicians, pacifists, politicos, singers, writers are invited to a
brain storming session with the aim of putting on a documentary/revue
in January 2004."
b) HALLOWEEN ACTIONS 2003: Email:  gillian_gates@yahoo.com.au
Any groups/individuals/performers interested in lanning/participating
in a non-violent Halloween day of action are welcome to come along to
help with ideas & input.
DATE: Tue 7th Oct. TIME: 7:00-9:00pm. Drop In At Any Time.
PLACE: St Werburghs City Farm Pub. At the end of Mina Rd. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=360000&Y=175000&scale=10000
"The rough plan so far is to 'trick or treat' en masse around
designated relevant 'targets' (Esso, McD's, Starbucks, Army
Recruitment Centre, etc.) We will discuss how to build this idea so
as to give it as much impact as possible."


2) BRISTOL POETRY & ROOTS FESTIVAL : 7th - 9th OCTOBER
This is a plug for the banned events of the Bristol Poetry Festival
organised by 'Say It Loud' a not for profit community arts group
based in St Pauls. This years events will include anti-war &
activist poets. Everyone is welcome to come along.
ALL SHOWS START @8:00pm. TAX: £10.00 on 7th & 8th. £7.00 on 9th.
ADVANCE BOOKING: St Georges Box Office for 7th & 8th Tel: 0117 9230359
Additional Info & CEED Bookings On 9th. Tel: Rupert 0117 9239095
TUESDAY 7th OCTOBER: Includes Simon Armitage - who got an award
for 'Feltham Sings', Glenis Redmond - amazing African American poet &
artist, plus local poets Edson Burton - chair of Bristol Black
Writers, Annie McGann & Ralph Hoyte will also be showcased.
VENUE: 'St George's Bristol'. Off Park St. City Centre. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=358500&Y=173000&scale=10000
WEDNESDAY 8th OCTOBER: Includes Radical anti-war & anti facist poet
Attila the Stockbroker, Murray Lachlan Young, & John Otway the
legendary rock-punk artist will take the main stage.
VENUE: 'St George's Bristol'. Off Park St. City Centre. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=358500&Y=173000&scale=10000
THURSDAY 9th OCTOBER: Includes poets 'Lip, Tongue & Ear' from Miami,
Glenis Redmond, Jalaal Nurriddin - founder member of rap group 'The
Last Poets' who spent time in jail for refusing to fight in Vietnam,
Oshin - poet & film maker, Bristol Black Writers, Peggy Bennett Hume -
poet & artist. PLUS OPEN MIKE.
VENUE: CEED Media. 17-19 Dean St. St Pauls. Off Wilder St. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359500&Y=173500&scale=10000


3) TALK : 'CHILE 1973 ~ THE OTHER 9/11' : WED 8th OCTOBER
Related Link:  http://www.geocities.com/bristolswp/
DATE: Wed 8th Oct. TIME: 7:30-9:00pm. FREE ENTRY. All Are Welcome.
VENUE : Jury's Hotel. Prince Street. City Centre. BS1
(The road behind the Arnolfini parallel with the Docks.) MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=358500&Y=172500&scale=10000
SPEAKERS*: Mike Gonzales ~ Sergio Raquena ~ Mario Novelli.
*Mike Gonzalez has written numerous books & articles on Latin
America; Sergio Raquena was imprisoned in Chile after the coup & has
been exiled in Britain since 1977; Mario Novelli is a member of the
Columbia Solidarity Campaign.
"Chile 1973 ~ The Other 9/11: On Sept 11th 1973, in Chile, the
democratically elected left-wing government of Salvador Allende was
overthrown in a bloody military coup led by the right-wing
general Augusto Pinochet, & backed covertly by the USA. Thousands of
people were killed by the military, many thousands more imprisoned &
exiled. What can be learnt from the Chilean experience & what is its'
relevance for us today? Come along to debate & discuss these
issues. There will also be stalls from a range of campaigns & groups.
The meeting will be hosted by Bristol Socialist Workers Party."


4) TALKS : 'THE RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT...?' : WED 8th OCTOBER
Title: 'The Resolution Of Conflict Post-Iraq, US, EU, UN or What?'
Organisers Link:  http://www.euromove.org.uk/
DATE: Wed 8th Oct. TIME: 7:30-9:00pm. FREE ENTRY. All Are Welcome.
PLACE: Tyndale Centre. Baptist Church. Whiteladies Rd. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=357500&Y=173500&scale=10000
SPEAKER: M. Stéphane Gompertz. Counsellor Of The French Embassy.
"The European Movement was established 1948 to further European
Integration. The Bristol Branch of the European Movement have
organised this meeting on Iraq to be addressed by the French Embassy.
The US response to the events of 9/11 & the ensuing Iraq war has
opened up political divisions between Europe, US & within Europe. Can
these differences be reconciled &, if so, how?  Can & should there be
a common EU policy on conflict resolution? Is this necessary to
balance & complement the actions of the US & to improve our own
security? Has the UN lost credibility or can it still play a major
role in conflict resolution?" There will be discussion after the talk.
MORE INFO: Susan Nicholls. Branch Secretary. Tel: 0117 9736345 (eve).


5) BENEFIT : HIP HOP FOR PALESTINE : FRI 10th OCTOBER
Organisers Link*:  http://www.kebele.org
Proceeds To 'Markaz At-Tanwir' For Work With Palestinian Refugees.
Related Links:  http://www.enlighten-palestine.org &  http://www.ism-
bristol.org.uk &  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol_psc &
 http://www.palestinecampaign.org/
DATE: Fri 10th Oct. TIME: 10:00pm-4:00am. TAX: £6 / £5 concessions
VENUE: Malcolm X Centre. City Rd. St Paul's. Bristol 2. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359500&Y=174000&scale=10000
LINE UP: DAM (direct from Palestine) ~ Fun'da'mental ~ Jalal Nuridin
(from the original Last Poets) ~ Oshin (57th Dinasty) ~ Bobafatt &
Honeytrap. Klandestino (KFS). Markaz At-Tanwir.
"Kebele has the privilege of announcing the visit of the 1st
Palestinean Hip Hop band DAM. Their planned tour in the UK has raised
such expectations that other massive hip hop names from the
national & international scene have agreed to support them. DAM is
the 1st Palestinean hip hop crew. Already the subject of an award-
winning documentary film & the recipients of growing media attention
both in the Middle East & beyond, the band combine the modern, urban
sound of western rap music with traditional sounds from the Arab
world.
DAM employs powerful political lyrics which revolve around the racial
discrimination and social marginalisation members of the band, as
Palestinian citizens living within Israel's 1948 borders, experience
in their homeland. With their independently released debut album,
entitled `Min Irhabi' or `Who's the Terrorist?', DAM have found
themselves in the welcome, if unexpected, media spotlight. The
Palestinian-UK educational charity, Markaz At-Tanwir has invited the
band to Britain for their first nationwide tour in October this year."
*Kebele is an anarchist organization founded in 1995 & based in
Easton. Kebele aims at developing activities to ensure sustainability
and an alternative to mainstream politics, & to raise awareness.
Kebele has been organising fund raising events since 1996 when it
started a campaign to buy the premises where it's based. All Kebele's
events are organised by a collective who work on these premises
without a profit making aim." MORE INFO: Kebele. 14 Robertson Rd
Easton. Bristol. BS5 6JY. Tel 0117 9399469 Email:  info@kebele.org


6) FILM : 'JEREMY HARDY Vs THE ISRAELI ARMY' : 11th-15th OCTOBER
Organisers Link:  http://www.cubecinema.com
Despite its immense political relevance, in Bristol this feature is
only scheduled to screen at the Cube, & will be accompanied by
speakers & the Bristol ISM.
DATES: 11th-15th Oct. TIMES: 11th @2pm & 12th-15th @8pm. TAX: tbc
VENUE: Cube Cinema. Dove Street South. Kings Square (Off Jamaica St.)
MAP:  http://www.cubecinema.com/directions.html INFO: Tel: 0117 9074190
DETAILS: Sansour / 2003 / UK / 75 mins / beta sp / cert 15
"Journalist & comedian Jeremy Hardy travelled to the West Bank to
documentthe living conditions of its inhabitants, & to work with the
International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in their campaign for
Palestinian freedom. He was evacuated from Bethlehem in April when
the city was occupied, & ISM's designated negotiators were shot at by
an armoured personnel carrier as they walked forward peacefully with
arms outstretched.
The film was finished in July, & shows Hardy visiting refugee camps &
joining an action organised by Israelis, the Ta'ayush peace group,
who booked a convoy of coaches to take medical supplies into the West
Bank town of Salfit. Following the war on Iraq, press coverage of
the Israel/Palestine conflict has died down somewhat, but it is clear
from this film that it is as horrifying & urgent as ever.
Related Links:  http://www.palsolidarity.org/ &
 http://www.palestinecampaign.org/


7) FILMS : INCLUDES 'WHY WAR?' : MON 27th OCTOBER
Organisers Link:  http://bristol.indymedia.org
DATE: Mon 27th Oct. TIME: 7:30-10:00. TAX: £3 waged/£2 concessions*
(*though 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
"An ongoing showcase of contemporary filmmakers who are finding new
forms of cinema to show resistance to globalisation."
lINE UP INCLUDES: A new community film from the Knowle West Media
Project; An examination of how the media act as an ideological block
to demonstrations, just as much as police who create a physical one.
'ON THE BUSES' ~ In March this year the police illegally hijacked two
coach loads of anti-war protestors travelling to USAF Fairford.
Recently they have won the right to a Judicial inquiry.
MAIN FEATURE ~ 'WHY WAR?' - The Invasion of Iraq (from the makers
of 'Not In My Name' - a Bristol premiere). Millions across the globe
now see the US as the biggest threat to world peace. How did this
happen? What can we do about it? This film explores the background to
the US imperialist project & charts the phenomenal growth of the anti-
war movement. How much impact did the Stop The War movement have &
where does it go from here? Will Blair take Britain into another war
in support of the US? Contributions from Tony Benn, Noam Chomsky,
George Galloway, Salma Yaqoob, Greg Pallast, Bianca Jagger & others."


8) FILM : 'THE INVISIBLE WAR...' : TUE 28th OCTOBER
'The Invisible War: Depleted Uranium & The Politics Of Radiation'
Related Links:  http://www.pandoraproject.org &
Http://cadu.members.gn.apc.org
DATE: Tue 28th Oct. TIME: 7:30-9:00 TAX: £3.50 waged/£2.50 unwaged.
VENUE: Cube Cinema. Dove Street South. Kings Square (Off Jamaica St.)
MAP:  http://www.cubecinema.com/directions.html INFO: Tel: 0117 9074190
SPEAKER : Dr Dan Bishop. IDUST President. Visit:  http://www.idust.net/
"The US used Depleted Uranium (DU) weapons in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq &
possibly Afghanistan. DU is a toxic & radiological weapon. It has a
half life of 4.5 billion years. DU causes many illnesses, cancers &
genetic defects. One third of the US & British armies deployed in the
1st Gulf War are ill with Gulf War syndrome, many symptoms of which
appear to be caused by DU. Many thousands of these troops are now
dead. This documentary hears testimony from doctors & veterans from
New York medical labs, from European & US military establishments,
from the UN & Nato, & details the growing debate over this
controversial weapon.
ALSO SHOWING: Video of interview with Nibby David, who was poisoned
by DU whilst working in the aerospace industry An estimated 1,820
tonnes of DU has been dropped on Iraq since 1991. Our government
insists that DU is safe, that it is no more toxic than lead, & that
the low level alpha radiation that it emits does no harm. This view
ignores the latest research showing that all forms of Uranium can
cause mutations in cell DNA from its chemical reactivity alone.
There is now a new understanding of the way low level radiation
affects cells, which is different from the effects of high level
radiation, but which is still insidiously lethal."


9) 2ND EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM : 12th-15th NOVEMBER
The 2nd ESF will be held in Paris, Saint Denis, Bobigny, Ivry
ESF Mobilisation Link:  http://www.mobilise.org.uk/
STOP THE WAR ~ AGAINST CORPORATE POWER ~ PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT ~ NO TO
PRIVATISATION ~ NO RACISM ~ NO FORTRESS EUROPE.
"Great movements & struggles are growing across Europe. Now they are
presenting new possibilities & opportunities to redefine & build
another Europe for another World. The 1st European Social Forum (ESF)
took place in Florence (Italy) last November, attracting 60,000
activists, trade unionists, peace campaigners & everyday people.
Since then Europe has witnessed some incredible struggles."
BRISTOL TRANSPORT: Transport from Bristol to the ESF is being
arranged. More Info Contact: 07973 371588. Waged: £55 / Unwaged £45.
ESF ACCOMODATION: Collective housing such as gymnasiums will be put
at our disposal. People will need to bring their own sleeping bag.
These structures are equipped with showers & bathrooms. We will block-
book accommodation for the Bristol delegation, so let us know if you
arrange your own accommodation.
THE CHARTER OF PRINCIPLES: "The European Social Forum is not an
organisation, but an open meeting place for reflective thinking,
democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange
of experiences & interlinking for effective action, by groups &
movements of civil society that are opposed to neoliberalism & to
domination of the world by capital & any form of imperialism, & are
committed to building a planetary society directed towards fruitful
relationships among Mankind and between it & the Earth."
Text Of Charter:  http://www.fse-esf.org/article.php3?id_article=538


10) BUSH TO VISIT BRITAIN : 19th-21st NOVEMBER
Related Link:  http://www.stopwar.org.uk
"It has been confirmed by Buckingham Palace that George W Bush will
be visiting Britain on the 19th, 20th & 21st of November. This will
be a state visit. PUT THE DATES IN YOUR DIARY NOW. Millions of people
will be disgusted to learn that this warmonger in chief is being
feted by Buckingham Palace. In response the Stop The War Coalition,
along with the all other anti-war groups & coalitions around the
country, are planning a three day 'STOP BUSH' series of events.
These will include a MASS NATIONAL DEMO on one of the days, local
demos, an alternative cavalcade, street theatre, & cultural events,
etc. In the next few days we will be mapping out a more detailed plan
of what we are proposing. Over his 3 day visit we intend to  give
George Bush a reception he will never forget, & if Tony Blair presses
ahead with this invitation he will have to take the consequences. On
Sat 27th Sept, 5 months after the war was declared 'over', 100,000
people marched on the streets of London. Please be prepared to march
again in opposition to Bush & his so called 'War On Terror'."


11) LEGAL : FAIRFORD TRIALS TO MOVE TO BRISTOL
Related Site:  http://www.fairfordpeacewatch.com
QUESTIONS FOR THE LAWYERS: "Did the war on Iraq breach international
law? If it did, does that make the war a crime under UK domestic law?"
RECAP: All defendants in the 4 'Fairford' cases - Paul Milling,
Margaret Jones, Phil Pritchard, Toby Olditch, Josh Richards, Kate
Holcombe, Geoffrey Cornock & Owen English - invoked 'lawful
excuse' as their defence to disabling, or attempting to disable,
planes & support equipment at Fairford Air Force base (Cotswolds,
Gloucestershire) in the weeks prior to the invasion of Iraq. All
of them claim to have acted on the grounds that the war on Iraq
was/is illegal making their actions, or attempted actions, legal. It
is this defence of 'lawful excuse' has made it necessary
for the trials to consider the legailty of war itself.
REPORT BACK: 19/09/2003 GLOUCESTER CROWN COURT HEARING:
"The Plea and Directions hearing, presided over by Judge Jamie Tabor,
took an unexpected turn. Judge Tabor decided to 'de-link' from the
other trials, the case of Kate Holcombe, Geoffrey Cornock & Owen
English (who are charged with pulling open a perimeter gate at a
demonstration in February 2003). This will now go ahead in Gloucester
Crown Court on 12th Nov. We hope everyone will again go over to
Gloucester, to support these 3 defendants, who did so much to
make the demonstrations & the camp at Fairford effective. They really
deserve our backing."
REMAINING CASES TO BE HEARD IN BRISTOL: "As for the other 3 cases,
these are moving to Bristol Crown Court. This is because the trials
are likely to take weeks, rather than days, & to be of considerable
general public interest. Judge Tabor decided there was a need for
better facilities for the jury & members of the public, than
Gloucester can provide. There will be a preliminary hearing in
Bristol Crown Court, on legal issues concerning the Iraq war,
probably some time in Jan. This preliminary hearing on legal issues
is expected to last about a week. It will be followed, in due course,
by the 3 separate trials."


12) PEACE VIGILS IN BRISTOL & BATH
a) THE DAILY BRISTOL PEACE VIGIL: The Independent Bristol Peace Vigil
is an open space for discussion, as well a crucial focus to our
campaigns. We've kept vigil every night since 9/11, & will keep Vigil
onwards into the future.  If you can only make it for 15 minutes, or
a couple of times a month, please still come as all support is
essential. Everyone's welcome at the Bristol Peace Vigil.
TIMES: MON-FRI 5:30-6:30pm & SAT 3:00-4:00pm. PLACE: City Centre.
(Opposite The Hippodrome. St. Augustines Parade). MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?gride=358590&gridn=172858&title
b) BATH PEACE VIGIL: Every Saturday 11.30am-12.30pm. Bath Abbey.
(Off York Street. From the Station walk up Manvers St)  MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=375000&Y=164500&scale=10000
c) EASTON VIGIL: Every Friday. 5:00pm-6:00pm.
Corner of Robertson Rd & Stapleton Rd. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=361000&Y=174500&scale=10000
d) BISHOPSTON VIGIL: Last Friday of each month. (Friday 19th For Sept)
2:00pm-3:00pm. Friends Meeting House. 300 Gloucester Rd. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=359500&Y=176000&scale=10000
e) ST. WERBURGHS VIGIL: Every Friday. 5:00pm-6:00pm.
Junction of Mina Rd & James St. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=360000&Y=174500&scale=10000
f) TOTTERDOWN VIGIL: Every Friday. 5:00pm-6:00pm. Wells Road.
By the junction of St.John's Lane. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=360000&Y=171500&scale=10000


13) PLANNING GROUPS IN BRISTOL & BATH
a) THE MAIN BRISTOL PLANNING GROUP 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) CHANGES TO THIS FORUM
If you do not make use of Bristols' Message Boards, & only receive
this newsletter, you will not be affected by the change to our
service. But please read on as you may wish to make future
use of Bristol's Message Boards.
We will be reducing the extent to which we clear junk mail from the
BSTW message board (which can be viewed below*). It is only necessary
to delete all junk if the board is to function as a primary public
forum. We will now use the board for admin, & as a regional & general
contact address, (although you will still be very welcome to continue
visiting the board for information.)
*VISIT:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-stop-the-war-coalition/
Our LINKS page will be unaffected, & can still be viewed @:
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-stop-the-war-coalition/links/
In addition, BRISTOL ACTIVISTS is an alternative forum, & a currently
under-utilised board. By encouraging use of this alternative forum we
can gain some space for BSTW admin, as well as breathe new life into
BRISTOL ACTIVISTS. So please join BRISTOL ACTIVISTS for discussion,
news & events on a wide range of issues.
To join Bristol Activists send a blank email to:
 bristol-activists-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To view the Bristol Activist message board visit:
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-activists
To post to the group once you have joined email:
 bristol-activists@yahoogroups.com


"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