Bristol-Stop-The-War Newsletter : 4th February 2004

THIRD STOP THE WAR COALITION CONFERENCE : Saturday 28th February.
This conference is for affiliated groups & delegates, but there is some space for
observers too. Please take a look at the National Website for more information.
For More Info Please Visit:  http://www.stopwar.org.uk/bulletin.asp?id=091203



NEW CONTENTS CODE: The code for the contents has been changed to
give you more info before reading each section. We hope you find it useful.

* New Section... ^ Updated Section...
~ Bristol / Regional Events... + National / International Events...

1) * Report: AFTER HUTTON: A Bristol Response
2) ^+ Peace Not War Music Festival: 12-15th Feb
3) *~ Talk: Controlling The Arms Trade: 13th Feb
4) ^~ Bristol Festival 4 Peace & Justice: 21st Feb
5) *~ Film: Bristol Indymedia Film Night: 25th Feb
6) *+ Strike: International Women's Day: 8th Mar
7) *+ Block The Base At Menwith Hill: 19th Mar
8) *~ Benefit Night: Depleted Uranium: 19th Mar
9) ^+ THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION: 20th Mar
10) + Easter March To Aldermaston: 9-12th Apr
11) ^ News: A GLOBAL ASSEMBLY IS BORN
12) ~ Peace Vigils In Bristol & Bath
13) ~ Planning Groups In Bristol & Bath
14) ^ Bristol & Regional MESSAGE BOARDS

"~Get off the Internet, I'll see you in the Streets..."



1) REPORT : AFTER HUTTON : A BRISTOL RESPONSE
To Read This Response In Full, & To Make Your Own Comments, Visit:
 http://bristol.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=12547&group=webcast
ALSO VISIT the LINK ABOVE to DOWNLOAD LEAFLETS
National Stop The War Have Also Issued A Response:  http://www.stopwar.org.uk
'WHAT HUTTON DIDN'T TELL YOU': The BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR Response: "The Hutton report was given a very narrow brief, concerning the facts surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly. The major questions about the legality & morality of the war on Iraq have been ignored. The Iraq war was illegal. It killed & maimed thousands of Iraqis, destroyed their hospitals, roads & sewage treatment plants, dumped radioactive pollution all over the desert, enraged Muslims everywhere & has been a wonderful recruiting ad for al-Qaida.
So far it has claimed more than 50 British soldiers' lives & cost the British taxpayer
millions of pounds which could have been spent on education, the NHS ...we can all go on with this list. The world is also more insecure than ever. Since the war was illegal, the occupation is illegal & no-one knows it better than the Iraqis, fighting tooth & nail to get rid of the foreign troops who are supposedly 'bringing democracy' to their country.
There are no plans for a true democracy, only a US client-state. (What does a US president who stole an election know about democracy anyway?!) The purpose of the occupation is to carve up Iraq's economy & hand it to, mainly US-based, multi-national
corporations, of which the Washington gang who ran the war are company directors. It will also provide the USA with secure bases from which to intervene in the Middle East in future.
So far, the occupation has cost more US lives than the war did. No-one but the Iraqis
are even counting Iraqi casualties. The occupation has allowed crime to flourish,
starting with the shameful looting of hospitals, factories & museums, in fact, anything
of value except the oil ministry. The occupying forces have killed many civilians.
Violence, fear, hunger & chaos stalk Iraq; the lights are still off, the drinking water is still not safe, the air-conditioning still does not work, the hospitals still don't have equipment & the country, which has the second largest oil reserves in the world, there are unending queues for petrol. The invasion was based on lies. Where are the
weapons of mass destruction?"
SIGN THE PETITION calling for a full & independent judicial inquiry into whether
Parliament & the British public were misled about the threat from Iraq.
Sign The Online Petition Now:  http://www.ourworldoursay.org
JOIN THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION ON 20th MARCH 2004. (See Section 9).


2) PEACE NOT WAR 4 DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL : 12-15th FEB
Organisers Link:  http://www.peace-not-war.org/Festival/index.html
On 15th February 2003 millions of people in over 150 cities demonstrated the world's
desire for peace. To mark the first anniversary of this historic event 'Peace Not War'
presents a 4 night music festival in London, from 12th - 15th Feb.
DATE: 12, 13, 14, & 15th Feb 2004. *NEW CHEAPER TICKET PRICE*
TICKETS £15 per night - PHONE CLUB TICKETS: 0871 711 3033
VENUE: Hackney Ocean. Mare St. East London. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=534848&Y=183727&A=Y&Z=1
*ALL PROCEEDS GO TO*: A diverse array of peace groups around the world - UK
peace groups include: ARROW, Campaign Against Arms Trade, Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases, CND (national/local), Globalise Resistance, Grassroots Opposition to War, Lakenheath Action, Movement for the Abolition of War, Network for Peace, Peace News, Rising Tide, STW Coalition (national/local), Trident Ploughshares, Voices in the Wilderness, Wombles & many others.
IF YOUR GROUP WOULD LIKE A DONATION PLEASE APPLY ONLINE:
 http://www.peace-not-war.org/PeaceGroupSearchEngine/form.html
For The Full Line Up Visit:  http://www.peace-not-war.org/Festival/index.html
DAY 1: THUR 12th FEB : ROCK & PUNK : INCLUDES: Alabama 3 ~ Eve Libertine + Penny Rimbaud ~ Goldblade ~ The Lovegods ~ Karma Sutra ~ Conflict ~ Lucky Four ~ Miss Black America ~ Gertrude ~ Ju Ju Babies ~ SPEAKER: Milan Rai.
DAY 2: FRI 13th FEB : HIP HOP : INCLUDES: Blade ~ TaskForce + Rawdog ~ Jehst + IQ + Asaviour ~ MC Navigator + DarkFire D&B collective ~ Phi-Life-Cypher ~ Skinnyman + SuparNovar + DJ Flip ~ Vadim ~ GM Baby ~ The Rub ~ CarpetFace ~ Hermione ~ Micke Morphingaz ~ The Unpeople ~ Double Negative ~ SPEAKER: Mark Thomas.
DAY 3 : SAT 14th FEB : (Valentine's Day) DANCE : INCLUDES: Free*land ~ MC Tali + the Full Cycle band ~ Howie B ~ Stereo MCs ~ Shut Up & Dance ~ Ragga Twins ~ Fun-da-mental ~ Visionary Underground ~ Pandit G ~ Rootsman ~ IDC ~ DJ DisOrientalist ~ Lazslo Beckett + DJ Rubbish ~ SPEAKER: Chris Nineham.
DAY 4 : SUN 15th FEB : WORLD & JAZZ : INCLUDES: Faithless ~ Hamell On Trial ~ Slovo ~ Seize the Day ~ Rythms of Resistance ~ The Rub ~ Crass Agenda ~ Nemo Jones ~ Martha Tilston ~ John Lester ~ Ami Saraiya ~ Narmin Zangana ~ Motiv ~ Del Sloan ~ Torben & Joe ~ Akemi Kuniyoshi ~ SPEAKER: Bruce Kent.


3) TALK : CONTROLLING THE ARMS TRADE : FRIDAY 13th FEB
Organisers Link:  http://www.bathstopwar.org.uk
DATE: Fri 13th Feb. TIME: 7:30-9:30pm. FREE ENTRY.
VENUE: Friends Meeting House. York St. Bath. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=375000&Y=164500&scale=10000
SPEAKER: Roger Berry MP. Chair of Parliamentary Select Committee on Arms Export Control & a leading campaigner for an International Arms Trade Treaty. He's tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 109) on the Arms Trade in the House of Commons.
An additional Early Day Motion (EDM 300) on the Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention notes U.S sales of biological agents to Iraq. Please come along to find out more and to join in the discussion.
BACKGROUND:  http://www.labouragainstthewar.org.uk/link6.html
Jointly Organised By BATH STOP-THE-WAR, LOCAL AMNESTY & OXFAM:
EXTRACT OF EARLY DAY MOTION (109): "...This House notes that the uncontrolled proliferation & misuse of arms is a global problem with local consequences; recognises that without tough international arms controls unregulated arms transfers will continue to fuel conflict, poverty & human rights violations around the world; further notes that arms brokers have been implicated in supplying weapons to the world's most affected regions; & calls on the government to support efforts to establish a legally-binding International Arms Trade Treaty..."
EXTRACT OF EARLY DAY MOTION (300): "...This House notes that the Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention binds signatories not to transfer to any nation any agents, toxins, weapons & equipment of biological & toxin warfare & provides that any nation finding another signatory in breach of this undertaking may lodge a complaint to the Security Council; further understands that the Riegle Report to the US Senate has published evidence that the US sold biological materials including Bacillus Anthracis, Clostridium Botulinum, Histoplasma capsulatum, Brucella, Melitensis, & Clostridium Perfringens to agencies of the Iraqi Government..."


4) BRISTOL FESTIVAL FOR PEACE & JUSTICE : SAT 21st FEBRUARY
A celebration & expression of the new mood for global peace & justice, of resistance to war, racism & environmental destruction. A whole day of ideas & activities, in workshops & debates, involving the spirit of unity, colour & energy of the anti-capitalist movement. This day will mark a key stage in the evolution of Bristols' anti-war movement, & an opportunity for both sides of the river to meet.
ORGANISED BY: A Rainbow Coalition Of Activists In South-Bristol-Stop-The-War.
DATE: Sat 21st Feb. TIME: 9:30am-6:00pm. TAX: BY DONATION.
VENUE: Southville Centre, Beauley Rd, Southville. MAP BELOW:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=357944&Y=171879&A=Y&Z=1
South-Bristol-Stop-The-War-Coalition Present: FESTIVAL 4 PEACE & JUSTICE:
A DAY OF IDEAS: Debates & Workshops ~ Fun for the Kids ~ Exhibitions ~ Photography & Radical art ~ Subvertisers workshop ~ Activists Toolkit ~ Student Debates ~ Red Notes Choir ~ Food from around the world ~ All Welcome All Day.
SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Milan Rai (Justice Not Vengeance, & author of Regime Unchanged) ~ Salma Yaqoob (Chair of Birmingham Stop-The-War) ~ Alex Gordon (Rail Transport Union, RMT National Executive) Weyman Bennett (Joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism) ~ Carol Kambites (Green Party Euro Candidate).
RELATED LINKS:  http://www.j-n-v.org ~  http://www.asylumbristol.org.uk ~  http://www.rmt.org.uk ~  http://www.uaf.org.uk ~  http://www.europeangreens.org
BACKGROUND: An impressive line-up of speakers includes Salma Yaqoob, chair of the huge Birmingham Stop the War Coalition, who is recently returned from the Cairo anti-war Conference. Alex Gordon (RMT) speaks on eye-witness in Baghdad from last October's joint union delegation, & will lead a participatory workshop on globalisation, oil interests & transport. Weyman Bennett is Joint Secretary of the new UNITE Against Fascism Campaign, & will lead a workshop on community resistance to the BNP support in South Bristol & elsewhere. Bristol Defend Asylum Seekers Campaign will make a brilliant presentation on justice for refugees.


5) FILM : BRISTOL INDYMEDIA FILM NIGHT : WED 25th FEBRUARY
Organisers Link:  http://bristol.indymedia.org &  http://www.cubecinema.com
DATE: Wed 25th Feb. TIME: 7:30-10:00pm. (Bar Open till 11:00pm).
TAX: £3/£2* (*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 globalization throughout the world.
MAIN FEATURE: 'The REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED.'
"One of the best documentaries I have ever seen ... & undoubtedly one of the finest pieces of journalism within living memory." The Sunday Independent.
BACKGROUND: "Hugo Chavez - elected President Of Venezuala in 1998 - is a colourful, unpredictable folk hero, beloved by his nation's working class. Two Independent filmmakers are inside the Presidential Palace with President Hugo Chavez on 11th April 2002, having been given exclusive access to make an intimate portrait of the newly elected leader. To their shock, they find themselves filming the very first U.S backed coup of the 21st century. A shocking blow-by-blow account of the 48 hours in which Chavez was deposed & returned to power amid bloody street battles & media mayhem, containing never-before seen footage."
Related Link:  http://www.chavezthefilm.com/index_ex.htm
LINE UP INCLUDES: 'On The RECEIVING END'. A short film & presentation from 'The Presswise Trust'. Set up in 1993 by 'victims of Media Abuse', & supported by concerned journalists, media lawyers & politicians in the UK. This is a timely film in which refugees discuss the experience of exile, & reactions to media coverage of refugees & asylum-seekers in the UK. PLUS: Some Inspiring INDYMEDIA Shorts.
Related Link:  http://www.presswise.org.uk


6) STRIKE : INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY : MONDAY 8th MARCH
For A History Of This Day:  http://www.isis.aust.com/iwd/stevens/contents.htm
MAIN EVENT: GLOBAL WOMEN'S STRIKE : MONDAY 8th MARCH
To Read This Call To Action In Full, Please Visit:
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/01/284171.html
To Become A Global Women's Strike Contact:
POST: Crossroads Women's Centre. 230a Kentish Town Rd. London NW5 2AB.
Or: PO Box 287 London NW6 5QU. Tel: 0207 482 2496. Fax: 0207 209 476
Email:  womenstrike8m@server101.com  http://www.globalwomenstrike.net
TAKING ACTION : As far as we are aware there is not currently a Global Women's Strike contact in Bristol. While this would be useful, it is not a barrier to women organising events & actions. Here are some ideas of how to use the Strike:
*Publicize the Strike at meetings. ~ *Ask your group or trade union to endorse or pass a resolution of support & to make a donation. ~ *Attend Strike meetings, or form your own group - (see contacts above). ~ *Take the Strike to the media, & contact your local press, TV & radio to tell them what you're planning. ~ *Mount an exhibition of the work that women do & highlight our contribution to the anti-war, anti-poverty & human rights movements. ~ *Make a Strike banner to take to pickets & demos. ~ *Tell men their support is welcome.
MORE IDEAS:  http://www.globalwomenstrike.net/English/TakingAction2003.htm
BACKGROUND: "The Strike is part of the movement against war not only in Iraq but Palestine, Chechnya, Colombia, Congo, Kashmir... Our priority is to highlight the struggle women make, from which the whole movement benefits, but which is often ignored as unwaged survival work. We demand the $900+ billion spent on military budgets is used for basic survival - clean water, food security, healthcare, housing, education, safety from rape & violence, protection of our planet...
The Global Women's Strike was born in 1999, when women in Ireland welcomed the new millennium with a general strike. They asked the International Wages For Housework Campaign to support their call, & for women all over the world to make the Strike Global on 8 March 2000. Since then we've been campaigning to get recognition & wages for all unwaged work women do, as well as for pay equity. These are joint levers against women's poverty, exploitation & discrimination.
Since 2000 the Strike has been a great success. It has brought together women in over 60 Countries, including grassroots organisations with impressive track records, who also demand a world that values all women’s work & every life, & who have achieved much. They are now part of an international network of Strike co-ordinators. The Strike establishes that as carers, waged or unwaged, we are always workers, & that we have the power to bring the whole economy to a halt."
TAKE THE EQUALITY TEST:  http://www.thefword.org.uk/features/equalityquiz.live


7) BLOCK THE BASE AT MENWITH HILL : FRIDAY 19th MARCH
For More Information Visit:  http://www.blockthebase.org.uk
DATE: Friday 19th March. TIME: 12:30pm Onwards.
AIMS OF THE BLOCKADE: "Their will be a demonstration for those who do not wish to take part in direct action, as well as food, music, speeches, stalls, workshops, & more to keep you entertained. The main blockade will aim to shut down or disrupt Menwith Hill for as long as possible using non-violent direct action. We will stop traffic from entering or leaving the site (except in emergencies). In doing so we aim to raise awareness of the workings of the base & its role in espionage, war-fighting & star wars, & highlight the fact that this country has a number of US bases on its soil, none of which are accountable to British people."
BLOCK THE BASE: Organised By Yorkshire CND. To Contact Them:
22 Edmund Street, Bradford, BD5 0BH. Tel: 01274 730795 - Fax: 01274 414413
Email:  info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk Web:  http://www.yorkshirecnd.org.uk
TRANSPORT: There is currently no organised transport to this event from Bristol, but do please make your way there. Directions & maps to Menwith Hill are below:
DIRECTIONS: NSA Menwith Hill is 8 miles from Harrogate on the A59 going West.
Coming out of Harrogate on the A59 there are signs to RAF Menwith Hill. You will eventually see big white ‘golfballs’. As you near NSA Menwith Hill there is a pub called
'Black Bull' on your right. Just past the pub turn right into Cold Coates Lane (there is a sign post to RAF Menwith Hill). The police will direct you from there.
MENWITH HILL ROAD MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=420000&Y=450000&scale=200000
BACKGROUND: "The Menwith Hill spy base, in North Yorkshire, is run by the National Security Agency (NSA) of the U.S. The NSA was set up by Presidential decree in 1952 without debate in the U.S Congress. It is an integral part of U.S Star Wars plans, & Menwith Hill's ongoing expansion. This will help US Space Command in its mission to see & hear everything on the planet & enable laser weapons to be able to reach anywhere on the earth within a target of about six feet.
Menwith Hill is listening. International telecommunications, including private telephone
calls, faxes & e-mails are intercepted from around the world. In 1997 a European Parliament report made it clear civil liberties are threatened by the NSA at Menwith
Hill. Information collected goes directly to Fort Meade, Maryland in the U.S. The
British government is given selected information on a 'need-to-know' basis via GCHQ,
Cheltenham, who also have some employees working at Menwith Hill."
Related Links:  http://www.caab.org.uk &  http://www.tridentploughshares.org


8) DEPLETED URANIUM BENEFIT NIGHT : FRIDAY 19th MARCH
Related Link:  http://www.pandoraproject.org/
DATE: Fri 19th March. TIME: 8:30pm Onwards. TAX: £5 / £4
VENUE: Polish Club. 50 St Pauls Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8. MAP BELOW
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=357610&Y=173487&A=Y&Z=1
WITH : POPACATEPETL : Have a laugh! Dance ‘til you drop! & support justice for victims of Depleted Uranium! POPACATEPETL play an irresistible combination of Brazilian samba & Trinidadian calypso mixed in with influences as diverse as medieval pop, 1930’s dance band music & Turkish kasbah rock. "Popacatepetl are a very clever band who use a wide range of instruments in a variety of musical styles. They are also very funny..." Venue magazine.
LINK :  http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=1205&blz=1
BACKGROUND: "Nibby David became ill whilst working in the aerospace industry in the west country. His symptoms started 3 weeks after starting work & worsened over the years. He continued in his job until life threatening ill health forced him to stop in 1995. In 2000 tests showed he was riddled with Depleted Uranium (DU). His health continues to worsen.
Nibby has been made an honorary Gulf War Veteran as he is suffering the same Uranium poisoning. Broadly 1/3 of Gulf War veterans in the US & UK are suffering damage to their health linked with Uranium poisoning. In the recent war on Iraq it is estimated 10 times more DU was dropped than in the 1st Gulf War & more of our troops & people of Iraq will end up suffering.
Nibby has a case in the High Court this year which is of international importance. His
case is a simple personal injury case, but many will benefit if he wins. Expert witnesses from round the world will be giving evidence. They have tested Nibby using facilities not available to many suffering from DU poisoning. These tests show Nibby has DU in his body & genetic damage resulting from internal radiation."
FUNDS ARE BEING RAISED TO BRING OVER EXPERT WITNESSES
If you can help please make cheques payable to: 'The Nibby David DU Support Fund'.
POST TO: Box 98, Greenleaf Books, Colston St. Bristol BS1 5BB
For More Info:  nddusupportfund@burntmail.com


9) THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION : BRISTOL : SATURDAY 20th MARCH 2004
London events will be listed next month. For updates:  http://www.stopwar.org.uk
One year on from the invasion of the Iraq the world still says not to war! Over 150 of
the world's largest anti-war organisations, as well as thousands upon thousands of sub-groups, individuals, & local collectives have now joined the global call to action.
STRATEGY FOR THE UK: The call has gone out for demonstrations in every city, town & village across the UK on Saturday 20th March 2004. In Bristol on this day last year we saw the largest demonstrations in living memory within our city. We call on you to join with us again, & if you have children please bring them along.
BRISTOL DEMONSTRATION @12:00noon On Saturday 20th March 2004
MEETING POINT: Opposite The Hippodrome. Bristol City Centre. St. Augustines
Parade. (Site Of The Bristol Peace Vigil). MAP BELOW:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?gride=358590&gridn=172858&title
BENEFIT NIGHT: There will also be a benefit night for Bristol-Stop-The-War on the evening of Saturday 20th March 2004. More details will follow early next month.
LATEST WORLD NEWS: "The Global Day Of Action has now been endorsed by the Global Assembly of the Anti-War Movement & the World Social Forum. To read more about the Global Assembly, please visit our News Section (Section 11)
WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: "The World Social Forum (WSF) is not an organisation but an "...open meeting place for reflective thinking, debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, & exchange of experiences for effective action by groups & movements. It developed in response to neo-liberal economic policies & capitalist globalisation pursued in most countries. For decades the International Monetary Fund (IMF) & World Bank have been affecting lives of people all over the world, without being subject to any democratic control. The 1st World Social Forum in 2001 attracted 20,000 people. This years 4th WSF (16-21st Jan 2004 in Mumbai, India) attracted up to 100,000 people, & is now a firm counterpoint to the World Bank & IMF."
More About The World Social Forum 2004:  http://www.wsfindia.org/charter.php
STATEMENT From The NATIONAL COUNCIL Of ARAB AMERICANS (NCCA):
For The Full NCAA Declaration:  http://www.iacenter.org/m20-call1.htm
"The NCCA joins the call for mobilizations against the occupation of Iraq. Being only
10 days before the anniversary of the historic 30th March 1976, Land Day in Palestine is an imperative complimentary political necessity, without which the end to colonial
occupations cannot be fully realized ... It is the multi-faceted nature of this ever-
expanding war we are tasked to recognize. De-linking issues for political expediency is wrong & dangerous. It not only weakens the global movement for freedom & liberty, but also marginalizes the voices of war's victims. True, the challenges before us are difficult & monumental, but history, in particular during the past 2 years, has shown we are equal to the task when some waited in doubt."


10) EASTER MARCH TO ALDERMASTON : 9th-12th APRIL 2004
Organisers Link: http://www.aldermaston2004.net &  http://www.aldermaston.net Easter
2004 will see a 3 day march from London to Aldermaston (Berkshire) to protest the
development of a new generation of nuclear weapons.
BRISTOL MOBILISATION: We are hoping to mobilise a march from Bristol also. If interested please contact:  c.paterson@dial.pipex.com or alternatively contact:
Aldermaston 2004 c/o AWPC, 18 Greenway Rd, BS6 6SG. Tel: 0117 9734672
STOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION! MARCH
- London to Aldermaston. Easter 2004. Email:  info@aldermaston2004.net
BACKGROUND: "The UK is gearing up to develop a new generation of nuclear weapons at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment, near Reading. We plan to show how people feel about Britain preparing to build new weapons of mass destruction, with a march from London to Aldermaston over Easter weekend 2004.
The march begins with a major rally at Trafalgar Square on Fri 9th April. The entire
route is about 50 miles, & is accessible from major public transport links at all times.
The march has been called by Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp, National & London CND, & other groups. Now we want & need your help!
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Please get in touch if you can offer support, whether it's accommodation, contacts for catering, entertainment, foot massage, or any of the 101
things that a dedicated band of marchers will need. If you want to volunteer to march
then let us know, as we plan to organise accommodation for a 'core' who have registered in advance, so get in quick & book your bed/floor space. Or if you live outside the Thames Corridor & want to organise a 'feeder march' from your area, then get in touch too. OTHER WAYS TO HELP: Donations are a necessary part of the action. If you'd like to add your voice by making a donation, send a cheque to:
Aldermaston2004 c/o AWPC, 18 Greenway Rd, Bristol BS6 6SG.


11) NEWS : A GLOBAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT IS BORN
The Global Assembly Was Held As Part Of The 4th World Social Forum.
For Info See 'Section 9' Above, Or Visit:  http://www.wsfindia.org/whoweare.php
"The General Assembly of the Global Anti-War Movement called on the world to fill the
streets on March 20 to demand an end to the occupation of Iraq. The General Assembly of the Anti-War Movement convened on January 19 at the World Social Forum (WSF) in Mumbai, India. Meeting the whole day, the Assembly began with an assessment of the current political situation, followed by reports from activists involved in various anti-war movements around the world. It ended with a session dedicated to strategizing on ways forward & common campaigns to be supported.
Envisioned as the biggest & most representative meeting of the anti-war movement since the invasion, the Assembly was a collective effort by anti-war coalitions spanning all continents of the globe. The Assembly had more than 100 endorsers from the largest anti-war coalitions around the world including the European Coalitions which organised the massive marches on February 15th last year, as well as various social movements, trade unions & farmer & peasant groups.
The Assembly ended with the call for an International Day of Action on March 20, the
anniversary of the attack on Iraq. It calls for all movements in all continents to organize mass protests on that day to demand the end of the occupation of Iraq. Resistance in Iraq & around the world is growing daily & March 20 will be the day when the global resistance tells not only Bush but all the occupation troops & warmongers that the movement will not rest until the occupation of Iraq & Palestine & the 'war against
terror' is ended." Focus On The Global South.
LINK:  http://www.focusweb.org/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=154
THE GLOBAL ASSEMBLY WAS ENDORSED BY: All Together, Korea ~ Anti-War Coalition, South Africa ~ Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law & Development ~ Asia Pacific Movement on Debt Development ~ Asian Peace Alliance ~ Asian Women's Human Rights ~ ATTAC, Germany & Japan ~ Bangladesh Krishok Federation ~ Bastaguerra, Italy ~ Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, UK ~ Campaña por la Desmilitarización de las Américas (CADA) ~ Campus Antiwar Network, US ~ Center for Economic Research & Social Change ~ Central Unica de los Trabajadores (CUT),
Brazil ~ Centre for Development Studies, CIEDS Collective, India ~ Centro de Estudios Internacionales, Managua, Nicaragua ~ Chagos Refugees Group ~ Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament & Peace, India ~ Code PINK, Women for Peace ~ Common Action for Peace & against the War ~ Condi - Iraqi National Democratic Coalition ~ Continental Campaign Against FTAA ~ Corp Watch, USA ~ Documentation for Action Groups in Asia ~ Echec a la guerre-Montreal ~ El Foro Social de Madrid ~ El Taller International ~ Focus on the Global South ~ Forum Against the War, Italy ~ Freedom from Debt Coalition ~ Gathering for Peace - Philippines ~ GENSUIKIN, Japan Congress Against A & H Bombs ~ GENSUIKYO, Japan Council Against A & H Bombs ~ German Peace Council ~ Global Exchange ~ Global Peace & Justice Coalition of Turkey ~ Globalize from Below - Korea ~ Grassroots Peace Network ~
Greek Social Forum ~ Hemispheric Social Alliance ~ Iniciativa Mexicana Contra la Guerra. No en Nuestro Nombre ~ Institute for Popular Democracy ~ International Association of Peace Messenger Cities ~ International Civilian Campaign for the Protection of the Palestinian People (CCIPPP) ~ International South Asia Forum (INSAF) ~ Iraq International Occupation Watch Center ~ Italian Movements of the European Social Forum ~ JANANEETHI ~ Jubilee South ~ KALAYAAN!, Katipunan para sa Pagpapalaya ng ~ Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) ~ Korean Federation of Medical Groups for Health Rights ~ Korean People’s Action Against FTA & WTO (KoPA) ~ LALIT, Mauritius ~ Le Mouvement de la Paix ~ Ledikasyon pu Travayer (LPT), Mauritius ~ Movement for Democratic Socialism (Japan) ~ Movimiento por la Paz, Spain (MPDL) ~ MST ~ National Youth & Student Peace Coalition (USA) ~ NGO Federation of Nepal ~ Not in Our Name Project, USA ~ Nuclear Free
Philippines Coalition ~ Peace Boat, Japan ~ Peace Constitution League ~ Peace Initiative of Turkey ~ People's Plan Study Group, Japan ~ People's Task Force for Bases Clean Up - Philippines ~ Polaris Institute ~ Promoting Enduring Peace ~ Red Mexicana de Accion frente al Libre Comercio ~ Social Movements Network ~ Solidarity, USA ~ South Asian Network for Secularism & Democracy (SANSAD) ~ Stop the War Coalition, Greece ~ Stop the War Coalition, UK ~ Stop the War Initiative, Poland ~ Sumpay Mindanao ~ Tavolla della Pace ~ The All India Peace & Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO) ~ The ASR Resource Centre ~ The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB), UK ~ The Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa ~ The No War on Iraq Coordination, Turkey ~ The People's Peace
Alliance, Pakistan ~ The South Asian Women for Peace ~ The Swedish Peace Council ~ UN PONTE PER (Bridge to Baghdad) NGO, Italy ~ United for Peace & Justice (UFPJ), US ~ US Peace Council Vimochana, Forum For Women Rights, India ~ Via Campesina ~ Workers Democracy, Thailand ~ World Peace Council ~ World Peace Now, Japan ~ Xarxa de Mobilitzacio Global (Barcelona) ~ Youth for Unity & Voluntary Action (YUVA) (India) ~ ZENKO (National Assembly for Peace & Democracy).


12) PEACE VIGILS IN BRISTOL & BATH
a) THE DAILY BRISTOL PEACE VIGIL: Now the nights are colder, & winters closed in, it's all the more important that people join us at the Bristol Peace Vigil. So wrap up warm, fill a flask with your favourite soup, & join us. The Independent Bristol Peace Vigil is an open space for discussion, as well a crucial focus to Bristol's campaigns.
We've kept vigil every night (except Sundays) since a few days after 9/11, & we'll keep
Vigil onwards into the future, but we do need your support to keep our flame alive. If
you can only make it for 15 minutes, or a couple of times a month, please still come.
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
OTHER PEACE VIGILS IN BRISTOL & BATH: Please also give your support to Bristol & Bath's other Vigils whenever you can. All support is essential & welcome.
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) 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


13) PLANNING GROUPS IN BRISTOL & BATH
a) THE MAIN BRISTOL PLANNING GROUP IN THE CITY CENTRE: Eyeryone's 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: Wed 4th February.
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-Stop-The-War Group meet every Tuesday.
For more info on The Bishopston Group, email:  bristolstopwar@hotmail.com
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 Stop-The-War 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.Werburgh's-Stop-The-War 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


14) BRISTOL & REGIONAL MESSAGE BOARDS
Bristol now has 3 message boards for anti-war & activist mail, plus a Bristol IMC newswire, & a regional Enrager.Net news & discussion forum. Please make use of them, as not all Bristol anti-war news makes it onto Bristol-Stop-The-War News.
a) BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR FORUM: Bristol-Stop-The-War now accepts general post from national & regional groups on all issues to do with the 'War On Terror'.
TO JOIN email:  bristol-stop-the-war-coalition-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
EMAIL:  bristol-stop-the-war-coalition@yahoogroups.com
Visit The Forum:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-stop-the-war-coalition
b) UWE & BRISTOL UNIVERSITY FORUM: Open to both UWE & Bristol University Students, as well as regional universities, so do please send us details of events.
TO JOIN: send a blank email to: uwestopwar-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
EMAIL:  uwestopwar@yahoogroups.com
Visit The Forum:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uwestopwar/
c) BRISTOL ACTIVISTS FORUM: Bristol Activists is independent of the anti-war movement, & accepts posts on a wide range of political issues, including the war.
TO JOIN send a blank email to: bristol-activists-  subscribe@yahoogroups.com
EMAIL: bristol-activists@yahoogroups.com
Visit The Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-activists/
d) NOTES ON ALL THE ABOVE FORUMS:
NOTE i) The Bristol-Stop-The-War forum & the University Forum, & are both set-up in s 'Webpage & Newsletter' format. This means the only mail you receive direct to your
inbox is a regular newsletter, with all other mail viewed on the webpage.
NOTE ii) The Bristol Activists Forum is set up in an 'Individual Email & Daily Digest'
format. This means all emails sent to the group emails are received in your inbox.
NOTE iii) If you have a Yahoo email you can post *from* the webpage on these forums, but you otherwise need to post *to* the webpage from your normal email.
e) BRISTOL IMC NEWSWIRE (Bristol Indymedia):  http://bristol.indymedia.org
Submit Your Own Articles On IMC. Also UK IMC:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk
f) ENRAGER.NET South West Forums:  http://enrager.net/web/britain/southwest
Submit Your Own Articles On Enraget.Net: Also UK:  http://enrager.net/web/



"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