BRISTOL & REGIONAL Stop-The-War NEWS : April 2005 : (Virtual Version)

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Visit:  http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire/display/22266/index.php


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

01) *~ General Election News: Special Update
02) *~ Global Week Of Action: 10-21st Apr
03) ^~+ Brize Norton Peace Camp: 21-25th Apr
04) *~ Bristol West Election Meeting: 26th Apr
05) *~+ Depleted Uranium: Urgent Funds Appeal
06) * + Book Review: New Stop The War Book
07) *~ MORE Bristol & Bath Events In Feb
08) *~ MORE Regional Area Events In Feb
09) * + MORE National Level Events In Feb
10) * News: Forgetting Afghanistan... Again
11) ~ Local Peace Vigils & Planning Meetings

NOTE: Venue Change For BSTWC Meetings (Section 11)


GROUP DESCRIPTION :
Bristol STW Coalition produces this newsletter to publicise events & activities in opposition to the so-called 'war on terror'. We are composed of groups & individuals with a wide variety of political & religious views. We are politically non-aligned, but we are also committed to oppose any racist backlash. Bristol STW is not a 'membership' organisation. Any one or group opposed to the 'war on terror' can consider themselves part of Bristol STW, or can continue to be publicised by us while choosing to organise independently of the Coalition. We don't claim (or seek) a monopoly over anti-war sentiment & activity in the city & recognise that many groups & individuals have their own ways of opposing the 'war on terror'. We are also dependent on individual donations for our funding, so if you are able to make a donation please send a cheque or postal order, payable to: Bristol Stop The War Coalition. Post: Box 45, Greenleaf Books, 82 Colston St, Bristol, BS1 5BB. Or you can email us privately :  bristolstopwar@hotmail.com



01) GENERAL ELECTION NEWS : SPECIAL UPDATE
Links:  http://www.dumpblair.co.uk &  http://www.strategicvoter.org.uk
After 3 years of lies & evasion the election gives us an opportunity to hold the government to account. Tony Blair famously said that his actions would be judged by history; we don't have to wait that long. The government wants voters to see Iraq as irrelevant to the election, but a recent survey indicates that over 30% of people intend to change how they vote in the general election based on their views on Iraq. Bristol Stop The War Coalition believes that voters in Bristol deserve the fullest possible information on all candidates' views on this issue. We have drawn up 10 questions (see below) which cover the main areas of the debate & are circulating these to all candidates in Bristol East, Bristol North-West, Bristol South, Bristol West, Kingswood & Northavon constituencies. The candidates' replies will be publicised as widely as possible in Bristol. The next newsletter will be emailed out by the end of April & will contain the replies. We are in discussion with the local media to help publicise the replies. If a candidate decides not to reply to all or some of the questions, this will be publicised. We will also publicise the voting records of sitting MPs in key parliamentary debates.
There are not approved answers to these questions & we don't intend to use candidates' replies to urge people to vote for or against particular candidates. It is merely a matter of providing the maximum amount of clear information on which people can decide how they want to vote. If you have ideas about how to publicise the information we collect please email us on  bristolstopwar@hotmail.com

THE QUESTIONS ARE:
(1.) Did you believe Tony Blair's 45 minute claim? (2.) Do you believe the invasion of Iraq was legal? (3.) Do you think the world is a safer place since the invasion & occupation of Iraq? (4.) Do you support Military Families Against The War's call to bring the British troops home? (5.) Do you think the Iraqi people have the right to resist the occupation? (6.) Would you believe Tony Blair if he said he had secret information that Syria or Iran was a threat to Britain? (7.) Would you support military action against Syria or Iran? (8.) Do you approve of evidence obtained under torture being used in British courts? (9.) Do you think the USA & Britain have the right to decide who can & can't have weapons of mass destruction? (10.) Do you think George Bush is a threat to world peace?

Questioning candidates face to face is important as well. In Bristol West a meeting has been organised to which all candidates for the constituency will be invited. They will have the opportunity to briefly explain their position on Iraq and then answer questions from local people. The details of the meeting are in Section 4 of this newsletter. If you want help to organise a similar meeting in your constituency please email  bristolstopwar@hotmail.com or send post to: BSTW, Box 45, Greenleaf Books, 82 Colston St, Bristol, BS1 5BB.



02) GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION (Bristol) : 10-21st April
(For More Autonomous & Related Events During The Week See Section 7.)
Local Link:  http://www.digitalbristol.org/members/nsf/GWAwebsite/index.html
Email:  dont_agonise_organise@yahoo.co.uk Tel: (0117) 9166452.
'DON'T AGONIZE ORGANISE' write: "Millions of people across the world will take part in a Global Week of Action against poverty. In Bristol, musician Billy Bragg, actor Paul Bradley, writer George Monbiot & others are teaming up with activists from Nepal, Tanzania, Ghana & Britain. The Global Week of Action was called in Nov 2003, when more than 100 trade activists from 50 countries took part in a historic gathering - the International Trade Campaign Conference, in Delhi, India. International Link:  http://www.april2005.org/

a) 10-21st April : Two Weeks Of Films
b) 9-10th April : National Central America Conference
c) 13th April : 6th Form World Parliament
d) 15th April : Downing Street Vigil
e) 15th April : Billy Bragg & Guests In Concert
f) 16th April : Don't Agonise, Organise Conference!

a) TWO WEEKS OF FILMS @ the WATERSHED: From Sun 10 April to Thur 21 April
(times may vary). Booking: (0117) 9275100 Visit:  http://www.watershed.co.uk
Watershed Address: 1 Canon's Road Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX UK.
i) IN THIS WORLD (15), Sun 10 April, 3:15pm. Directed by Michael Winterbottom, this BAFTA-winning film is an intimate yet hard-hitting response to the asylum controversy follows two Afghan teenagers as they escape from the Shamshatoo refugee camp in Pakistan, along the smugglers' route known as The Silk Road.
ii) THE YES MEN (15), Fri 15 - Wed 20 April (Times Vary). A comic, biting guerilla-style documentary that traces a small group of prankster-activists. From their spoof beginnings with GWBush.com & on to their parody of the WTO's website, the Yes Men set out to shock. (  http://www.theyesmenmovie.com )
iii) MARIA FULL OF GRACE (15), Fri 15 - Thu 21 April (Times Vary). Writer-director Joshua Marston looks beyond sensationalized accounts of heroin trafficking, & focusses on Colombian 17yr old Maria. In an uninspiring relationship, thankless job, & pregnant, she drifts into an assignment as a drug mule.
iv) LILYA 4-EVER (18), Sat 16 April, 2:45pm. Swedish writer-director Lukas Moodysson delivers a devastatingly powerful portrait of Lilya, a 16yr old Eastern European who moves to Sweden to begin a new life. Full of trust & anticipation, she boards the plane, unaware that whilst she is destined to lie with devils.

b) NATIONAL CENTRAL AMERICA CONFERENCE & FUNDRAISER
Organisers Link:  http://www.blinc.org.uk/CA2005.htm
DATES: Sat 9th April (10.00am - 5.00pm) and Sun 10th April (10.00am -3.00pm) FFI: Contact: Karen Bell.Tel: 0117 9470132. Email: karenbell50@hotmail.com. Please book in advance using registration form on the website, or get in touch. SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Mirta Kennedy: Economist & gender specialist, Centre for Womens Studies, Honduras. - William Rodriguez: Centre for International Studies, Managua, Nicaragua. - Hilary Wainwright: Editor of Red Pepper. - John Hilary: Director of Campaigns & Policy, War on Want & Chair of Trade Justice Movement.
VENUE: Cotham School, Cotham Lawn Rd, Cotham, Bristol. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=358273&Y=174016&A=Y&Z=1
EVENING FUNDRAISER: SAT 9th APRIL (For projects in Honduras & Nicaragua.) *Latin Rhythms*, mambo, cha cha cha, samba, salsa, cumbia, soca, with DJ Beat Roots, Salsa Moves with Norma. Starts 8pm. Latin Food + bar. £5 (£4 conc).

c) 6th FORM PARLIAMENT ON TRADE JUSTICE : Wed 13th April.
Venue: Council Chambers, College Green, Bristol. If interested in your school taking part please contact African Initiatives on 0117 9166452 or email  annainbristol@yahoo.co.uk "Includes exiting speakers from Bristol as well as campaigners from Africa & Asia to talk about the effects of trade, debt & the power of large multinational corporations. Workshops include one specially designed by People & Planet (a youth campaigning organisation) on Trade Justice."

d) 10 DOWNING STREET VIGIL : Friday 15 April. Take part in an all-night vigil on the Prime Minister's doorstep & join a dawn procession past Downing Street. One coach leaves the Colston Hall after the Bill Bragg concert at around 11pm (see below). Donations will be taken on the coaches to cover the cost. To book tel. Hilary: 0117 940 9725 or email  hfarey@blueyonder.co.uk The other leaves earlier from Bristol Christian Fellowship Hall, Blackhorse Rd, Westerleigh Rd (off A4174 Ring Rd). To book tel. Diane: 0117 950 5006 or email  northacoach@yahoo.co.uk

e) BILLY BRAGG & GUESTS @ COLSTON HALL : Friday 15 April, 7.30pm. "A great live set from Billy plus special guests. He says: 'International solidarity is the best way to combat the inequalities that lead to conflict in the world. Join us in Bristol to do your part.' George Monbiot will speak about global poverty & what you can do to make a difference, as well as Mark Steele, stand up comedian, political satirist, Radio 4 News Quiz, & all round good guy." Tickets are on sale now, priced £15 (£13 concessions). Tel: 0117 9223686 or visit:  http://www.colstonhall.org

f) DON'T AGONISE, ORGANISE! CONFERENCE : Sat 16th April. "An action-packed day of activities, training (including media skills, direct action & street theatre) & short films. FFI: Call Laura, African Initiatives on 0117 9166452 or email:  dont_agonise_organise@yahoo.co.uk.
TIME: 10:00am -5:00pm. FREE ENTRY. VENUE: L-Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol, BS1 4RN. MAP:  http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=358507
&Y=172239&A=Y&Z=1 SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Mark Curtis: WDM Director. - Krishnamurphy Pushpanath: Oxfam Campaign Executive, Make Trade Fair. - Bimal Kumar Phnuyal: Nepal. - Simon Daffi: Tanzania. - New Internationalist Cartoonist. ALSO: Photographs about the Rwandan genocide. Activists from Nepal, Tanzania, Ghana. SUPPORTED BY: Christian Aid, World Development Movement, Action for Southern Africa, Baby Milk Action, Friends of the Earth, Kiptik, Campaign Against The Arms Trade, Bristol G8 Dissent, No Sweat, Action Time Vision, Colombian Solidarity, Simultaneous Policy, Unison, Jubilee Debt, Oxfam, New Internationalist.



03) BRIZE NORTON SPRING PEACE CAMP : 21st - 25th APRIL
"The camp's main purpose is to have dialogue with members of the military. Our second aim is to raise
public awareness about the role of this enormous air base in ferrying British troops to Iraq. Other activities on offer, for those staying on camp: banner making, yoga workshop, singing workshop, creative writing, bird watching & plane spotting. Chatting up sentries & mod plod. Deciding what to do with our 12-foot statue of hideously grinning Tony Blair. People are welcome to come for the day, or for half a day. Everyone coming to sleep will need to bring a tent & bedding. A bit of food to share, though we will provide regular hots meals, Thur 21st to Mon morning, in return for a small donation. For this camp to achieve its aims, we have to be chilled-out & peaceful. (All on our best behaviour!) Please, no dogs, drugs, alcohol. Please bring all your creative ideas. What would you like to see happen?"

COACHES FOR THE PEACE MARCH & RALLY ON 23rd APRIL: Coaches from Bristol
are £8 / £4. From Greenleaf Books, 82 Colston St. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=358574&Y=173126&A=Y&Z=1
COACHES LEAVE BRISTOL: Anchor Rd @9:30am on Sat 23rd Apr. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=358261&Y=172576&A=Y&Z=1
ASSEMBLE @12:00-1:00pm. Black Bourton Rd, Carterton (centre of town). MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=428183&Y=206482&A=Y&Z=1
SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Kate Hudson: Chair CND. - Dominick Jenkins: Greenpeace. - Veterans for Peace. - At Ease. - CAMPACC. - Green Party

MORE TRANSPORT DETAILS: Carterton is on the B4474, 17 miles to the West of Oxford. Trains go to Oxford, & from there buses run to Carterton. (The X2 goes every 30 minutes from Oxford’s main bus station & stops in Carterton town centre.) Lifts from Carterton to centre to the peace camp are available for those coming by public transport. If coming to camp, phone 07711 - 214 168 for directions (after you arrive in Carterton). Phone any time after the morning of Thur the 21st of April.
MORE DETAILS & DONATIONS: To help with artwork & banner making before the camp, call Ornella (0117) 373 00 99. Please send any donations to: Box 1, 82 Colston St., Bristol BS1 5BB. (Make cheques out to 'Rowland Dye (BN)'. General enquiries: (0117) 94 66 885, or Email: Nabataat@yahoo.co.uk



04) BRISTOL WEST ELECTION MEETING : TUE 26th APRIL
If you've seen any of the literature already put out by Bristol West candidates you will have seen phrases such as 'voted against the war' or 'anti-war'. Come and quiz them on Iraq and the ‘war on terror’ and find where they really stand. WHO DO I VOTE FOR? Tues 26th April. 7.30pm. VENUE: Horfield Friends’ Meeting House, 300 Gloucester Road, BS7 8PD. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359270&Y=176000&A=Y&Z=1
All Bristol West candidates invited; Justin Quinell (Green Party) & Stephen Williams(Liberal Democrat) have already accepted. If you want help to organise a similar meeting in your constituency please email  bristolstopwar@hotmail.com or send post to: BSTW, Box 45, Greenleaf Books, 82 Colston St, Bristol, BS1 5BB.



05) DEPLETED URANIUM : URGENT APPEAL FOR FUNDS
Link:  http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/index.php
"Richard 'Nibby' David maintains that he was poisoned by Depleted Uranium (DU) in his workplace, & has worked hard for several years, in the face of enormous obstacles & ill health, to bring his personal injury case against his former employers Honeywell. He has symptoms similar to those of Gulf War Veterans. DU is nasty stuff that has been used in the Balkans & Iraq & is linked to many health problems such as Gulf War Syndrome, cancers & birth defects.
The hearing began in the High Court in London last December with him having no legal representation, as legal aid was withdrawn 2 weeks before commencement . The case ran for 3 & a half days when it was ajourned in order to complete preparation, & will run for 4 weeks when it resumes. The process of preparation is a lengthy one & is particularly difficult as there is still no legal help or funding.
The huge importance of the case is that it's attempting to prove, in court, that DU causes these illnesses, something which the UK & US governments have been strenuously denying. Thousands of soldiers & millions of civilians all over the world have been exposed, especially in Iraq & the Balkans but also close to testing ranges in many countries including Scotland, Puerto Rico, Japan & the US.
Soldiers in the UK are not allowed to sue the government so Nibby's is one of the few cases that can even be brought. Some of the foremost experts in the world have provided expert reports for the trial. Their evidence will only be useful if we can get them to London for the trial. Please support this important, precedent-setting case, & other victims of DU poisoning, by making a donation today.

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION: Donations can be made by cash / cheques paid over the counter at any UK branch of Lloyds TSB bank made payable to: NDDU Support Fund: Account no. 01445715, Sort Code 30-90-37. OR cheques made payable to NDDU Support Fund by post to: NDDU Support Group, Flat 4, Grattan House, 41 Fore St, Seaton, Devon EX12 2AD. OR can be made using internet credit/debit card payments via PayPal to the NDDU Support Group (Richard David).
Visit:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr



06) BOOK REVIEW : NEW STOP THE WAR BOOK
Title: "Stop The War - The Story Of Britain¹s Biggest Mass Movement"
Special Offer £12.99 (normally £15.99) ORDER YOUR COPY NOW. To Order Visit:  http://www.bookmarks.uk.com or Tel. Bookmarks: 0207 6371848. Post & Packing add £1.95. By Andrew Murray & Lindsey German. Foreword by Tony Benn. "The definitive account of the growth of the anti-war movement in Britain by those who made it happen. 288 pages packed with the memories, opinions and reflections of anti-war campaigners, from school students & trade unionists to artists, journalists, authors & celebrities. These include ex-MI5 agent David Shayler, CND Vice President Bruce Kent, film director Ken Loach, former UN Assistant Secretary General Denis Halliday, award winning journalist Yvonne Ridley; poets Benjamin Zephaniah, Harold Pinter, Adrian Mitchell, Tony Harrison & Michael Rosen; Pete Doherty of Babyshambles; Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic; Military families Against the War; trade union leaders Billy Hayes, Tony Woodley & Jeremy Dear; MPs George Galloway, Alan Simpson & Jeremy Corbyn. Plus a full colour section packed with photographs & art by Banksy, Steve Bell, Martin Rowson, Simon Norfolk, David Gentleman & Leon Kuhn including original & controversial works by Ralph Steadman & Peter Kennard."



07) MORE BRISTOL & BATH EVENTS IN APRIL
a) *~ 5th April : Bristol Indymedia Film Night
b) *~ 8th April : Colombia Solidarity Benefit
c) *~ 9th April : Dissent! Dayschool & Benefit
d) *~ 16th April : Palestine Solidarity Fundraiser
e) *~ 20th April : Socialist Worker Film & Talk
f) *~ 30th April : Bristol Social Forum Launch

a) BRISTOL INDYMEDIA FILM NIGHT - PEAK OIL: THE PARTY'S OVER
Organisers Link:  http://bristol.indymedia.org
DATE: Tue 5th April. 7.30pm opens. 8:00pm starts. £2/3 - nobody turned away due to lack of funds) VENUE: Cube Cinema: Dove St South (off Kings Square), Bristol. MAP:  http://www.cubecinema.com/directions.html "This month's film night takes a look at the issue of Peak Oil. The world has already used half of its supply of oil & gas. And from here on in it gets harder to find and more expensive to produce. For every three barrels of oil we currently use, only one new one
is found. The days of cheap energy are gone - the party's over. INCLUDES CONTRIBUTIONS FROM: Richard Heinberg (author, 'The Party's Over: The End of the Age of Oil'), Colin Campbell (geologist & founder of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil), Michael Ruper (  http://www.fromthewilderness.com ).

b) COLOMBIAN SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN BENEFIT : Fri 8th April.
Related Link:  http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk "A night of Colombian music & Latin flavours, with DJ El Gringo, El Borracho & Jaz. Cuban Cocktails with Havana Club." 8.00 – 1.00 am. £4.00. VENUE: Bar Unlimited, 209 Gloucester Rd. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359090&Y=175395&A=Y&Z=1
"Colombia Solidarity Campaign is an anti-imperialist organisation, campaigning for a socially just & sustainable peace in Colombia. The Campaign actively opposes Plan Colombia. The billions of military dollars spent by the U.S on Plan Colombia are justified in terms of the 'drug war'. The real targets are the guerilla forces, the peasantry & indigenous people calling for social change, which interferes with U.S plans for a corporate expropriation of Colombia's valuable resources, including oil."

c) BRISTOL G8 DISSENT! PRESENTS : 'Information For Action’
Link:  http://www.dissent.org.uk DATE: Sat 9th April. 10.30am - 5.30pm. VENUE:
Malcolm X Centre, Ashley Rd / City Rd, St Pauls, Bristol. Free Entry. MAP.
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359500&Y=174185&A=Y&Z=1 "Our lives are ever more dominated & controlled by the actions of corporations & their political representatives in the self-appointed G8 (Group of 8 most powerful nations). In July the G8 hold their annual summit in Scotland. Can we trust this unelected, secretive, gentlemen’s club to act in our interests? We don’t think so!" FULL DETAILS:  http://www.dissent.org.uk/content/view/150/2/ "In the evening there will be a benefit social night at The Full Moon, North St, Stokes Croft, BS2. Bands: S.L.O.T, Barbar Luck, Blacklisted U.K, Beautiful Life DJ’s: Dub Dave, Chester, 2Katz. 8pm to 1am, £5 entry. To get involved email:  dissentbristol@susbsection.org.uk or write to Box 102, Greenleaf Books, 82 Colston St, Bristol BS1 5BB."

d) BRISTOL FESTIVAL FOR PALESTINE : Sat 16th April.
Links:  http://www.palestinecampaign.org &  http://www.map-uk.org/
DATE: Sat 16th April. 3pm-11pm. £5 /£4 or 7.30-11pm. £4 / £3 VENUE: St. Werburgh's Community Centre, Horley Rd. (off Mina Rd.) Bristol. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=360342&Y=174535&A=Y&Z=1 "Even Better Than Last Year! Food, Films, Exhibition, Stalls, Evening Buffet, Bar Music, Oriental Dance, Auction. FUNDS FOR: Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign & Medical Aid For Palestinians (MAP). "(MAP) is a British charity dedicated to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. MAP was established in 1984 in the aftermath of the Sabra & Shatila massacres in Lebanon & today it operates in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (the West Bank & Gaza Strip) & Lebanon delivering basic health & medical care to Palestinian refugees."

e) BRISTOL SOCIALIST WORKER FORUM : Wed 20th April.
Link:  http://www.geocities.com/bristolswp
DATE: Wed 20th April. 7:30-9:30pm. Kuumba Arts, Hepburn Rd, St Pauls. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=359219&Y=173991&A=Y&Z=1
"Malcolm X, Martin Luther King & the Struggle for Civil Rights". Plus a video of the Black Panthers. "The names of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King are associated with the struggle for civil rights in the US, but for very different reasons. Why has history treated them in such different ways, what were their real differences & what can we learn for the on-going struggle against racism & for social equality."

f) BRISTOL SOCIAL FORUM LAUNCH : Sat 30th April.
Link:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristolsocialforum/
DATE: Sat 30th April. 1pm-6pm. Free Entry. VENUE: St. Werburgh’s
Community Centre, Horley Rd. (off Mina Rd.) St. Weburgh's, Bristol. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=360342&Y=174535&A=Y&Z=1
"While our e-group has so far been remarkably successful in bringing together a wide variety of campaigns, we can hopefully take this initial success beyond the virtual world it mainly inhabits, & into the world of building more personal & longer lasting relationships between the diverse array of campaigns in Bristol, as well as the many towns & cities which make up our geographical neighbourhood." WORKSHOPS & STALLS: "If you're interested in running a workshop or a stall, or if you can help with leafletting, please get in touch, as the success of the launch will be dependent on your involvement. Email:  bristolsocialforum@yahoo.co.uk



08) MORE REGIONAL AREA EVENTS IN APRIL
a) *~ 7th April : Oxford 9/11 Truth Meeting
b) *~ 8-22nd April : Oxford Palestine Exhibition
c) *~ 9th April : Bro Emlyn Peace & Justice Film
d) *~ 9&12th April : Southampton Make Poverty History
e) *~ 10th April : Cardiff Social Forum Assembly
f) *~ 12th April : Cardiff Latin America Solidarity Night
g) *~ 12-20th April : Dorset Make Poverty History
h) *~ 14th April : Birmingham Guantanamo Meeting
i) *~ 16th April : Swindon Child Victims Benefit Night
j) *~ 16th April : Birmingham Caterpillar Protest
k) *~ 22 April-6th May : Oxford Demo & Film Festival
l) *~ 26 April-4 June : West Midlands Theatre Tour
m) *~ 27th April : Slough4Peace Election Hustings
n) *~ 28th April : Oxford Teach-In On The Wall
o) *~ 30th April : Birmingham Drop Beats Not Bombs

a) OXFORD 9/11 TRUTH MEETING : Thu 7th April.
Link:  http://www.oxford911truth.bravehost.com/evidence.htm "Following a successful first meeting of Oxford 9/11 Truth, there will be a follow up meeting to discuss how to take the group forward with future events. The meeting will be at Oxford Town Hall on Thur 7th April at 7.30pm. Free Entry. Map:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=451393&Y=206145&A=Y&Z=1

b) OXFORD PALESTINE EXHIBITION : 8th - 22nd April.
"Stitches in Time" Palestinian traditional embroidery from Gaza & West Bank, & panels from Keiskamma Tapestry - "South Africa's Bayeux". Organised by Network of Oxford Women (NOW) & Keiskamma Art Project. Oxfordshire Record Office, St Luke's Church, Temple Rd, Cowley, Oxford. Buses 1, 5, 5A, 5B & 10 from city centre. Open Tue to Sat, 9am to 5pm. Tel: 01865 398200. Links:  http://www.keiskamma.org &  http://www.nowpeace.org.uk

c) BRO EMLYN PEACE & JUSTICE FILM SHOW : Sat 9th April.
Link:  http://www.newcastle-emlyn.com/stopwar/index.shtml
Date: Sat 9th April. Red Dragon Hall, Drefach Felindre, 7.00pm start. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=235320&Y=238680&A=Y&Z=5
COCONUT REVOLUTION (50mins): "The modern-day story of a peoples seemingly impossible victory over Western Colonial power. An island rose up in arms against giant mining corporation Rio Tinto Zinc - & won! PACIFIC WOMEN EXPLORING NON-VIOLENCE (25mins): Women from Bougainville, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands & Timor-Leste meet to exchange experiences & deepen their skills in nonviolent conflict resolution. All are survivors of violent conflict."

d) SOUTHAMPTON MAKE POVERTY HISTORY EVENTS
 http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/ Part Of The Global Week Of Action.
WALK FOR TRADE JUSTICE: Sat 9th April. Assemble @11:00am. Bring music,
banners, etc, Asylum Green (top of London R) (off the A33, St. Andrews Rd.) MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=442018&Y=112703&A=Y&Z=1
ELECTION SPECIAL: Tue 12th April. 7.30pm. VENUE: Central Baptist Church, Devonshire Road, Polygon, Southampton SO15 2GY. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=441622&Y=112667&A=Y&Z=1
"Question the party candidates on their policies for trade justice for the poorest countries. Every day, 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty."

e) 2nd CARDIFF SOCIAL FORUM ALTERNATIVE ASSEMBLY
Link:  http://www.cardiffsocialforum.org.uk Date: Sun 10 April. 10.30am - 4.30pm.
VENUE: East Moors Community Centre, Sanquahar St, Splott, Cardiff. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=319871&Y=176423&A=Y&Z=1
"A day of workshops on the upcoming G8, civil liberties, racism, trade union struggles & more. Supported by the Cardiff Trades Council, Cardiff STW & more. Its success will help the argument for a social forum movement throughout the UK. Accommodation can be arranged. Tel: 029 20213053 for more details."

f) CARDIFF LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY NIGHT : Tue 12th April.
"A fun night where people can meet Latin American Activists & hear about their fight for workers rights & social justice while enjoying the sounds & tastes of Latin America. Tickets: £1 each & can be exchanged for a free drink. Hosts: UNISON Rhondda Cynon Taff, Colombia Solidarity, Nicaragua Solidarity, Cymru Cuba. Email:  rctunison@btconnect.com Tel: 01443 400401. VENUE: Kiwi's Night Club, Wyndham Arcade (off St Mary St.) Cardiff. 7.30pm til late. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=318267&Y=176184&A=Y&Z=1

g) DORSET MAKE POVERTY HISTORY EVENTS
Link:  http://www.dorsetmph.org.uk/home/home.php
TALK: Tue 12 April. Stephen Rand (Co-Chair Jubilee Debt Campaign). 7.30pm. Lansdowne Baptist Church, Lansdowne Rd, Bournemouth. Tel. 01202 395868. MARCH & RALLY: Sun 17th April. 2.00pm. St. James Church, Poole (off the Quay). Speakers include: Annette Brooke MP. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=400876&Y=90297&A=Y&Z=1
TALK: Wed 20 April. Stephen Rand (Co-Chair Jubilee Debt Campaign). 7.30pm. All Saints Church Hall, Milford on Sea (+ refreshments). Contact: 01590 643043.

h) BIRMINGHAM GUANTANAMO CAMPAIGN MEETING : Thu 14th April. 7:30pm.
Venue: Carrs Lane, Church Centre, Birmingham. Map:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=407310&Y=286865&A=Y&Z=1
Speakers: Mozzam Begg, released from Guantanamo Bay after being detained without charge or trial. Natalia Garcia, Human Rights Lawyer. Phil Shiner, Lawyers acting on behalf of Iraqi victims of the British military. Saeed Siddiq, father-in-law of Shaker Abdur-Raheem Aamer, a British resident of Saudi origin, currently in Guantanamo Bay. Email:  bhamguantanamocampaign@yahoo.co.uk

i) SWINDON CHILD VICTIMS OF WAR BENEFIT : Sat 16th April.
Links:  http://www.swindonstopwar.org.uk &  http://www.childvictimsofwar.org
Venue: Nine Elms, Old Shaw Lane, Swindon, SN5 5PD. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=410944&Y=185685&A=Y&Z=1
"Open mic session in aid of Child Victims of War. PA provided. Musicians, poets, dancers, choirs, actors, storytellers, jugglers & more all welcome. Arrive 7:30 if you want to perform, 8pm start. More Info: Robert Stredder (01793) 725206.

j) BIRMINGHAM CATERPILLAR PROTEST: Sat 16th April
Caterkiller – National Motorcade & Rally. Meet 11am at Hopwood Service Station, Junction 2 of M42, Cars, minibuses & coaches welcome. Drive to Caterpillar at Hockley Heath, then rally for Palestine in central Birmingham, Victoria Square @2:30pm-4:00pm. More Details: 0207 700 6192. "Throughout Palestine, houses are being demolished & people are being killed as Israel builds it 'apartheid' wall. The machines used in this reign of terror include the Caterpillar Bullldozer. The Financial Headquarters in Europe of that firm are at Hockley Heath."

k) OXFORD DEMO & PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL
Link:  http://www.palestinesociety.org MORDECHAI DEMO: Fri 22nd April. 5:00-7:00pm:
Cornmarket St (off the A420 St. Aldate's), Oxford. Map:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=451277&Y=206219&A=Y&Z=1
"Mordechai Vanunu was 'released' from Prison on April 21, 2004, after spending 18yrs in prison (11.5 of those in solitary) on charges of treason & espionage for blowing the whistle on Israel's 'secret' nuclear arsenal. Restrictions seriously undermine his new 'freedom', including not being allowed to leave Israel." FILM FESTIVAL: 22nd April – 6th May. All profits from the festival are donated to selected benevolent Palestinian educational & cultural projects. For more info email:  info@palestinefilm.org or the Barbican box office 020 7638 8891. Organized by the Palestine Society at London's School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS).

l) WEST MIDLANDS THEATRE TOUR : 26th April - 4th June
26th - 30th April: Oxford Playhouse, 01865 305305. 3rd - 7th May 2005: Malvern
Theatres, 01684 89227. 1st - 4th June 2005, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, 024 7652 4524. The Royal Court Theatre present TALKING TO TERRORISTS: by Robin Soans, directed by Max Stafford-Clark. "What makes ordinary people do extraordinary things? The writer, director and actors interviewed people from around the world who were involved in terrorism. As well as those who have crossed the line they talked to politicians, warriors, journalists, hostages, psychiatrists and peacemakers. Their stories take you from Iraq, Israel, Uganda, Ireland and Turkey right to the heart of the British Establishment."  http://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk &  http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk &  http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com

m) SLOUGH4PEACE ELECTION HUSTINGS : Wed 27th April.
Tel: 07834 4656660 Email:  slough4peace@yahoo.co.uk "The Slough4Peace election hustings will be on Wed 27th April, 8:00pm, St Mary's Church. Church St, Slough (off the A412). Come along & grill the candidates." MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=497699&Y=179675&A=Y&Z=1

n) OXFORD TEACH-IN ON THE WALL : Thu 28th April.
For more information or if you would like to attend, Email:  katherine.fletcher@europaeum.ox.ac.uk Tel: 01865) 284 482. 11:00am-7:00pm: "The Europaeum (an association of European Universities, including Oxford) has organised a teach-in on the Wall in Israel/Palestine. Speakers Include: Professor Vera Gowlland-Debbas (Special Counsel to the Arab League, representative for the Palestinian case at the International Court of Justice in 2004), Professor John Dugard (UN Rappprteur on Palestine) & Professor Guy Goodwin-Gill (Refugee specialist).

o) BIRMINGHAM DROP BEATS NOT BOMBS : Sat 30th April.
 http://www.tumbledown.org.uk &  http://www.cnduk.org &  http://www.stopwar.org.uk
Pre-election Special. Over 50 artists showing their support for the UK's biggest not-for-profit political club event. INCLUDES: Visuals by the worlds best VJs from AVIT05 Festival plus stalls, veggie food, massage, fire juggling. Advance Tickets: £5. Credit card bookings call TheTicketSellers on 08707 544445. Time: 9pm - 4am. The Custard Factory, Birmingham, B9 4AA (off the A41 Digbeth.) MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=407935&Y=286388&A=Y&Z=1



09) MORE NATIONAL LEVEL EVENTS IN APRIL
a) * + 5th & 6th April : Windrush Week Of Action
b) * + 6-10th April : Festival Of Dissent! Scotland
c) * + 9 & 16th April : Excel Arms Fair Protests
d) * + 17th April : STW London Marathon Run
e) * + 18th April : International Call In Day
f) * + 23rd April : Brighton Anti-War Conference

a) WINDRUSH WEEK OF ACTION : 5th & 6th April.
Email:  stopthepillage@yahoo.co.uk "The final 2 days to a week of action. Windrush Communications are the British company responsible for organising the Iraq Procurement Conferences. That is, to plan the sell-off of Iraq's assets, properties & resources, all in contravention of international law (Hague Regulations of 1907 & Geneva Conventions 1949). TUE 5th APRIL: 8:30am Vigil outside offices of Windrush. Mark St, London EC2A. EVENING: 7:00pm onwards. Creative Forum. LARC, 62 Fieldgate St, E1. Films, poetry & more. WED 6th APRIL: 12:00noon. Say Farewell to Windrush. Protest outside their offices. Mark St, London EC2A. More Info:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305011.html

b) FESTIVAL OF DISSENT! SCOTLAND, LANARKSHIRE : 6th - 10th April.
Link:  http://www.dissent.org.uk "Anti-G8 Gathering - Learn Skills – Network - Get Inspired - Take Action" To register for the festival email:  festivalofdissent@riseup.net or post to: Box 8, 245 Gladstone St, Forest. "The G8 is the annual meeting of the leaders of the worlds most powerful countries. Since 1998, these summits have been resisted wherever they have attempted to meet. Protests have erupted on every continent, fuelled by disgust at the extremes of wealth & poverty, by military repression, & environmental breakdown. In July 2005, the G8 comes to the UK."

c) EXCEL ARMS FAIR PROTESTS : 9th & 16th April
"East London Against the Arms Fair musical protests." Sat 9th April & Sat 16th April, 1pm - 4pm, Outside the Excel Centre, opposite the Custom House hotel, Docklands Light Railway Station. Nearest Tube Station: Canning Town. Please join with other gentle, angry people in musical protests against the export of weapons. More Info: ELAAF, c/o CIU, Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, London E7. Interactive London Map:  http://map.tfl.gov.uk/map.asp

d) STOP THE WAR LONDON MARATHON RUN : Sun 17th April.
Link:  http://www.stopwar.org.uk. Email:  office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7278 6694 or 07951 593525. Post to: 27 Britannia Street, London WC1X 9JP. "One of our supporters is running the marathon this year with the sponsorship money going to Stop the War Coalition. If you are planning to run, & would like to join up with her in an anti-war contingent, please contact the office."

e) INTERNATIONAL CALL-IN DAY FOR MORDECHAI VANUNU : Mon 18th April.
"Mordechai Vanunu was 'released' from Prison on April 21, 2004, after spending 18yrs in prison (11.5 of those in solitary) on charges of treason & espionage for blowing the whistle on Israel's 'secret' nuclear arsenal. Restrictions seriously undermine his new 'freedom', including not being allowed to leave Israel. Join in sending a flurry of email, faxes & phone calls to the Israeli Ambassador in your country, leading up to the 1 year review of post-prison restrictions."
To find the contact information for Israeli Embassies in your country:
Visit:  http://mfa.gov.il/mfm or  http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/israel1.html

f) BRIGHTON ANTI-WAR CONFERENCE : Sat 23 April 2005
Link:  http://www.watchingthewarmakers.org.uk "Blair's Wars: Foreign Policy Under New Labour." Speakers Include: Sami Ramadani, David Chandler, Haifa Zangana, Ana Lekaj, Nicholas Gilby & Howard Davies. Organised by the Hands Off Forum. 11am - 3.30pm. Venue: Brighthelm Centre, North Rd, Brighton. BN1 1YD. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=531060&Y=104582&A=Y&Z=1



10) NEWS : FORGETTING AFGHANISTAN... AGAIN
Full Story:  http://www.counterpunch.org/sonali03282005.html
By Sonali Kolhatcar, Counterpunch, 28/03/05. "In the past 2 years the US media have drastically reduced their coverage of Afghanistan. According to the American Journalism Review only 3 news organizations--Newsweek, Associated Press & the Washington Post have full-time reporters stationed in Kabul. What little is published focuses mostly on feel-good stories, superficial change & unopposed reportage of the Bush administration's claims. There is little to no critical coverage of the effects of the on-going US military & political presence. For example, on March 18th, the New York Times' Joel Brinkley & Carlotta Gall reported Condoleezza Rice's visit to Afghanistan & her claim that 'there could be no better story than Afghanistan's democratic development'. Brinkley and Gall apparently agreed with Rice ­ they made no mention of how the central government is legitimizing US-backed warlords who are stifling democracy.
This is not new. In the early 1990s, the worst atrocities by Mujahadeen fighters (including some members of the current government) resulted in 10's of thousands of civilian deaths & 100's of thousands of refugees in a 4 year period in Kabul alone. During that time, media coverage dropped drastically. In the late 1990s, when the Taliban were implementing their oppressive laws, the media largely ignored it. In 2000, when 10's of thousands of Afghan refugees were trapped in horrific conditions in refugee camps in the Pakistani side of the border, the same pattern of silence continued. Only when the Buddha statues of Bamiyan were blown up, or the attacks of 9-11 took place was Afghanistan worth focusing on.
Why don't the media today examine Afghanistan & Bush's claims of 'freedom & democracy'? True, most Afghans have embraced wholeheartedly the promise of choosing their own leaders through an electoral system, despite having certain aspects of democracy imposed on them by a foreign country. But the power of undemocratic warlords has stifled the aspirations of Afghan people. When I visited Afghanistan a month ago, I spoke with independent pro-democracy political activists like Malalai Joya,
who is forced to conduct her work underground. Fearing attacks by warlords, they use false names & travel in disguise or with bodyguards. I met journalists who are risking their lives to report the crimes of the warlords in the face of government threats.
A majority of Afghans voted for Hamid Karzai, even though he is clearly a US puppet. They did so because he promised never to compromise with warlords. But after his election, Karzai appointed the former governor of Herat, Ismail Khan, a fundamentalist misogynist warlord, as Minister of Energy. Karzai recently appointed a known war criminal, Abdul Rashid Dostum, as the National Army Chief of Staff. These moves were praised by US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad as 'wise', even though the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission's recent survey revealed a deep desire among Afghans across the country for justice for past war crimes committed by the likes of Khan and Dostum.
Aside from its 'democratic development', the Bush administration refuses to mention serious life & death issues plaguing Afghanistan. Obediently following suit, the US media do not cover the struggle for survival. In the 2004 National Human Development Report for Afghanistan, conducted by the United Nations, the country ranked 173 out of 178 countries in terms of human development. Only 5 countries, all in sub-Saharan Africa, were worse off: Burundi, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger & Sierra Leone. Refugees, whose (sometimes forced) return was loudly praised by the Bush administration as evidence of Afghan freedom, are now homeless in their own country & have turned parts of Kabul into squatters' camps. They have no homes and little to no training, employment opportunities, or health care. I was told that most schools have a curriculum limited to Islamic studies.
Most women are still wearing the burqa (veil), or hijab, in Afghanistan. This is admittedly far too simplistic a measure of women's oppression, but it was exploited by the Bush administration and the media after 9-11 to visualize the brutality of the Taliban against women. Likewise, the discarding of the burqa after the fall of the Taliban was widely used by the media to showcase women's 'liberation'. Today in the cities & provinces outside Kabul, most women dress exactly as they did under the Taliban's rule. Nasreen, an 18 year old returned refugee living in Heart, told me she does not want to wear her hijab, but is afraid of attracting too much attention in an atmosphere that is still hostile to women.
There is an obvious pattern here: before 9-11 the media did not deem Afghanistan & its myriad problems (most of which were initiated by US policies in the 80s & 90s) worth covering. After 9-11, when it was convenient for the Bush administration to highlight mass oppression & poverty as justifications for war, the media complied. Now, despite continued mass oppression and poverty, Bush & Rice have informed us that Afghanistan has been 'saved' by our military intervention & installation of "democracy" and so it no longer needs our attention. The media continue to comply with government wishes."



11) LOCAL PEACE VIGILS & PLANNING GROUPS
a) ~ Daily Bristol Peace Vigil
b) ~ Friday Easton Peace Vigil
c) ~ Saturday Bath Peace Vigil
d) ~ Weekly Bristol STW Meeting
e) ~ Regular Bath STW Meeting

a) DAILY BRISTOL PEACE VIGIL: 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 11th Sept 2001, & 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:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?gride=358590&gridn=172858&title
b) EASTON PEACE VIGIL: Every Friday. 5:00pm-6:00pm.
Corner of Robertson Rd & Stapleton Rd. MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=360947&Y=174700&A=Y&Z=1
c) BATH PEACE VIGIL: Every Saturday 11.30am-12.30pm. Bath Abbey. (Off York Street. From the Station walk up Manvers St). Please come & support this regular, long-established & powerful witness to the futility of war. MAP:
 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=375000&Y=164500&scale=10000
d) BRISTOL-STOP-THE-WAR PLANNING GROUP: Everyone'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: Victoria Methodist Church. 1A Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, BS8 1NU (bottom of Whiteladies Rd.) MAP:
 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=357830&Y=173465&A=Y&Z=1
e) BATH-STOP-THE-WAR: Hold Regular Meetings. For Details Tel: 01225 315480
Email:  postmaster@bathstopwar.org.uk Visit:  http://www.bathstopwar.org.uk


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For general enquiries email:  bristolstopwar@hotmail.com
For News Around Bristol Visit:  http://bristol.indymedia.org
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"The corporate revolution will collapse if we refuse to buy what they are selling - their ideas, their version of history, their wars, their weapons, their notion of inevitability. Remember this - we be many and they be few. They need us more than we need them. Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." Arundhati Roy.

... SAY YES 2 PEACE ... SAY YES 2 PEACE ... SAY YES 2 PEACE ...