Saturday 26 December 2009

A MESSAGE TO ALL STOP THE WAR COALITION SUPPORTERS

STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) A MESSAGE TO ALL STOP THE WAR SUPPORTERS
2) REMEMBER GAZA: GEORGE SQUARE & NELSON MANDELA PLACE, 27 DECEMBER
3) VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY GAZA 27 DECEMBER
4) STOP THE WAR'S SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK

******************************
***
1) A MESSAGE TO ALL STOP THE WAR SUPPORTERS

Dear Friends,

We are writing to thank you for all your work and support over
the past year.

The Stop the War Coalition began 2009 by mobilising to stop
the attack on Gaza, which included the biggest demonstration
for Palestine ever held in Britain, when over 100,000
protested on 10 January.

We have ended it campaigning to get the troops out of
Afghanistan and remembering Gaza on the anniversary of
Israel's attack.

Over this week alone we organised a protest by military
families at Downing St, where we handed in our petition
calling for British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan;
we held a successful Beats Beat Bullets gig for Gaza, and --
together with PSC, CND and BMI -- we will be holding a vigil
at the Israeli Embassy in London on 27 December (see below).

Over the year we have organised -- both nationally and locally
around the country -- a series of demonstrations, vigils,
meetings, rallies, cultural and fundraising events. We will
begin the new year with two important initiatives.

In London on 28 January, Gordon Brown has convened an
international conference to discuss further escalation of the
war in Afghanistan. Stop the War will be organising a protest,
details of which will be available at the beginning of
January.

Also in January or possibly February, it is expected that Tony
Blair will appear at the Chilcot inquiry on Iraq. We want to
mobilise the biggest possible protest against the man now
widely regarded as having broken international law in taking
Britain to war.

There is likely to be a major national demonstration in March
as part of an international day of action, calling for all
foreign troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

A general election will be called in the first half of 2010
and Stop the war will be organising a campaign to ensure that
the war in Afghanistan is a prominent issue.

Our priority for 2010 will be to intensify the pressure on the
government to bring the troops home, reflecting the view of an
ever increasing majority of people in Britain. The recent US
and British troop surge, the extension of the Afghan war into
Pakistan and Yemen, and the threats against Iran, make our
campaign more important than ever.

The coming year is clearly going to be as busy for Stop the
War as any in our eight year history. Please continue to
support our work and our activities.

We rely entirely on contributions by our supporters to fund
all of our campaigns. If you are not
already a member of Stop the War, we urge you to consider
becoming one now, or make a donation to help us sustain our
anti-war work as effectively as we can. You can join or donate
online, here: http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

We wish you a happy holiday and new year, and we hope that by
active opposition to our government's war policies, together
we can help make 2010 more peaceful than the year just ending.

Best wishes,


Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

*********************************
2) REMEMBER GAZA: ISRAELI EMBASSY 27 DECEMBER

To mark that anniversary of Israel's attach and to protest at
the continuing siege of Gaza, there will be a vigil in George Square& Nelson Mandela Place, 3.45 - 5.00pm 5pm

REMEMBER GAZA: END THE SIEGE
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2009 345-5PM
GEORGE SQUARE & NELSON MANDELA PLACE, GLASGOW.

Sunday 27th December marks one year on from the beginning of Israel's 22-day bombing campaign on Gaza.

It is also the day of Ashura when Sunni Muslims believe that Moses delivered the Jews from Pharaoh, when the sea was parted. It is a day laden with symbolism given the oppression of the Gazans. Who will deliver the Palestinians now?

Ashura is marked by fasting from sunrise to sunset, and members of the Jewish and others will this year be joining with Muslims in this act to draw attention to the situation in Gaza.

Those fasting should join us to break fast in Glasgow's George Square (break fast is at 15:56, suggest we meet around 15:45) (prayer facilities available at Strathclyde Uni mosque). Please bring some simple food!

VIGIL

16:30 at Nelson Mandela Place for a candle lit vigil, where we will hear from those on the Gaza Freedom March, so we can send our messages to Gaza, Pauline McNeill MSP, Cross-Party Group on Palestine and Barry Levine from Jews for a Just Peace (other speakers to be confirmed!)

*********************************
3) VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY GAZA 27 DECEMBER

The Viva Palestina convoy taking 100 vehicles full of aid from
Britain to break the siege plans enter Gaza on 27 December,
when it will be joined by convoys from Turkey and the United
States. For updates on the convoy,
http://www.vivapalestina.org or Twitter: viva_palestina

*********************************
4) STOP THE WAR'S SONGS FOR XMAS WEEK

We've chosen two songs for Christmas week.

Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon, which is about
Christmas Day 1914 when all sides in World War I laid down
their weapons and made peace by playing a game of soccer.

Barra Barra by Rachid Taha is the soundtrack to a video called
Israel - An Apartheid State, which powerfully captures life
for Palestinians under Israeli occupation and siege. Plus
we've included a bonus video of Rachid Taha and Brian Eno
performing Barra Barra live at the great benefit concert they
did for Stop the War in 2005.

FOR BOTH SONGS, GO TO: http://bit.ly/6vnfKN

Thursday 10 December 2009

DECEMBER 2009

Glasgow Stop the War CoalitionIn this newsletter:

1 Opening of Gaza Now Exhibition, 11 December 2009
2 Why have 100 British soldiers died in Afghanistan this year?
3 UPDATE: Joe Glenton – arrested for speaking out against war
4 Financial Appeal and Stop the War Christmas cards

1 Opening of Gaza Now Exhibition

Glasgow Central Mosque
Friday 11th December
5.30pm - 8.30pm (Refreshments & food)
Note start time - 5.30pm sharp (doors open 4.30pm)

A Picture Exhibition on the 1st anniversary of Gaza War (Pictures taken by Edinburgh Direct Aid while on their Aid/humanitarian mission - earlier this year).

Opening ceremony with Denis Rutovitz (Founder of Edinburgh Direct Aid), Pauline McNeil (Chair of Palestine Cross Party Group), Nicola Sturgeon (Deputy First Minister), Ismael Patel (Founder of Friends of Al Aqsa), Dr Colin Cooper (Aid Envoy to Gaza Glasgow) , Dr M S Kauser (Central Mosque Secretary) and live link with Gaza. Exhibition from Fr 11 Dec - Fri 18 Dec

2 Why have 100 British soldiers died in Afghanistan this year?

Gordon Brown claims the 100th British soldier to die this year in Afghanistan died "doing what is right for Britain". He didn't. He died to save the face of politicians like Brown who cannot face admitting that the 100th soldier to die lost his life in a pointless war, as did all the other British soldiers and countless thousands of Afghans who have been killed in the past eight years.The hundredth British soldier to die in Afghanistan this year was killed because Gordon Brown refuses to learn the lesson of history: that the people of Afghanistan never accept occupation by foreign powers.He died fighting to support one of the most corrupt governments in the world, which is dominated by war lords and drug traffickers and which has no legitimacy following a breathtakingly fraudulent election.Gordon Brown says the 100th soldier died to safeguard Britain against terrorist attack. But no Afghan has ever attacked Britain or any other country.He died, says Brown, to help defeat al-Qaeda. But more British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in 2009 than the total number of al-Qaeda in the country, which the US government admits is just a few dozen.He died according to Brown helping to bring stability and security to Afghanistan. But it is the eight years of war that is the cause of the insecurity, having brought nothing but ever increasing levels of death and devastation.Brown says the 100th soldier died because the British army has a mission to train Afghan security forces to take responsibility for fighting the forces opposing occupation. But all there is to show after eight years of "training" Afghans to replace British soldiers is a phantom army and ghost police force. Nato instructors openly admit it is a hopeless task, but Brown says this is the escape plan for bringing British troops home from Afghanistan. By increasing to over 10,000 the number of British troops sent to kill and be killed in Afghanistan, Gordon Brown has condemned many more soldiers and countless Afghans to die in an unjustified and unwinnable war.The truth is Britain has no national security interests in Afghanistan. The war is being continued for no other reason than to save the face of politicians and military commanders who cannot faceadmitting defeat after eight years of conflict which has brought only mass slaughter and devastation to Afghanistan.The 100th soldier to die this year did so on a sea of lies about why Britain is fighting a war in the world's second poorest country, against a people who are no threat to any other country and who only want to be free of foreign occupation. Campaigning to bring the troops homeTo mark the 100th death this year, Stop the War groups across the country will hold vigils and naming the dead ceremonies, at which the names of all 100 soldiers killed will be read out, together with the names of 100 Afghans to represent the countless thousands who have died.On Monday 21 December, many military families will join with former soldiers to deliver Stop the War's Bring the Troops Home petition to Gordon Brown at Downing Street. In the coming months Stop the War will be intensifying its campaign to bring pressure on the Gordon Brown's government to withdraw all British troops from Afghanistan, which all opinion polls show is supported by an overwhelming majority of the British public.We are a few months away from a general election and Stop the War plans to hold protests, lobbies and other events across the country to ensure that every politician standing for office knows that if they support the sensless war in Afghanistan they are opposing the view of most people whose vote they are seeking.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE TO BRING THE TROOPS HOMEhttp://www.petitiononline.com/mfaw09/petition.html

3. UPDATE: Joe Glenton – arrested for speaking out against war

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton was arrested for refusing to return to Afghanistan, leading an anti-war demonstration and speaking to the media in defiance of orders.He is being held in an army jail while he awaits trial for charges which carry a sentence of up to 10 years.LATEST NEWS 09.12.09: Joe was released today from prison on very restrictive bail conditionsMessages of support can still be sent to: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Court hearing Wednesday 16 DecemberJoe appears before a judge for a preliminary hearing of his case. Stop the War will organise a picket of the court in support: Wednesday 16 December, 9.30am, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 81 Chancery Lane, London WC22A 1BQ. Please join us if you can.

• Email: Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth:
defencesecretary@mod.uk or ainsworthr@parliament.uk

• Write: Secretary of State for Defence, Floor 5, Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB • FAX: 020 7218 6538• Petition: Download the Defend Joe Glenton petition...

Joe Glenton's mother, Sue Glenton, has highlighted the hypocrisy in the silencing of her son: "You've got government ministers, army commanders and MPs speaking every day in support of the war. What's so scary about a lance corporal having his say? My son is only speaking out for what he thinks is right." - Sue Glenton


The following message has been received from Malalai Joya, the Afghan MP who has been called "the bravest women in Afghanistan", and who has received numerous international awards for her defence of human rights:"
Dear Joe, Stay strong! The majority of the Afghan people are with you and we respect and admire the stand you have taken. When there is no justice, it is better for honest people to go even to jail rather than go to war. Down with the occupation. I send you my warmest greetings and solidarity." - Malalai Joya

5. Financial Appeal and Stop the War Christmas cards

In the last few months Presidents Obama’s surge of troops to Afghanistan, the growing death toll of soldiers and Afghan civilians, the bombing of Pakistan and Gaza earlier this year have demonstrated that the need for a thriving Stop the War Coalition is as great as ever.Recently we sent a coach to the National demonstration to get the Troops out of Afghanistan in London, led by led by Lance Corporal Joe Glenton -- the first serving soldier in the British army to join an anti-war march - http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1561/1/ .We have received great support from trade unions, peace and groups working for social justice and you as an individual, over the years and together we have achieved much.We would like to continue being able to respond as we did earlier this year, when we seen the bombing of Gaza and the biggest ever wave of protests since the invasion of Iraq. The anti-war movement needs to be both organised and mobilised.Printing leaflets, petitions and posters; booking buses to get to the demonstrations; meetings and event room hires all cost well spent money and keep our movement organised, united and mobilised.
Please consider making a donation to Glasgow Stop the War Coalition.

DONATE ONLINE: http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

BY POST: Cheques made to 'GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION' C/o Dave Sherry, Branch Secretary, TGWU Scottish Housing Branch, TGWU Offices, 290 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4LD. (drop us a quick email to let us know you’ve sent it)

IN PERSON: TEXT 07912348366 and we will arrange collection.Go to www.stopwar.org.uk and for more info on the Stop the War Coalition and its activities.

Get your Christmas Cards at – http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.ukDesigned by supporters of Stop the War in Glasgow you get 9 cards for £4.50 with £1.00 postage costs.Please forward and circulate this email to all your contacts.

Post the following to on your facebook – checking out the latest Glasgow Stop the War newsletter at http://glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com/

Get involved in the campaign to bring the troops home

Email: glasgowstopwar@gmail.com

Monday 9 November 2009

Novermber 2009 newsletter

Why Are We in Afghanistan? The Great Debate - http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1592/1/

In this newsletter

1. Troops out of Afghanistan - Edinburgh
2. Demonstrate Against Islamophobia, Racism and Fascism - Glasgow
3. Noam Chomsky - public meeting (Edinburgh and Glasgow)
4. Responding to the Afghan election farce
5. NOTE: Financial Appeal and Stop the War Christmas cards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Troops out of Afghanistan

The NATO defence ministers are meeting at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre the weekend of the 14th. The war in Afghanistan is waged under the NATO banner. Opinion polls make it clear that a big majority want the troops home now.
Called by Stop the War Scotland, supported by STW UK, CND, SCND, Scottish Afghan Society, & SACC.

Scottish Demonstration: Edinburgh

Saturday 14th November

Troops Out of Afghanistan Now / No to Nato / Scrap Trident

Assemble 10.30am East Market Street leaving at 11am

DOWNLOAD LEAFLET FROM - http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1582/186/

Travel from Glasgow:
Trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh are reasonably priced at £5.00 return if you are travelling in a group of four. You must travel both ways in your group of four.

NOTE: If there is a large group in your party wishing to travel through to the demonstration please do get back in touch by midnight on Wednesday 11 November and if there is a demand we will book some coaches to take people through.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Demonstrate Against Islamophobia – Glasgow

For supporters of Stop the War who wish to stay in Glasgow on Saturday we are calling on everyone to oppose the Islamophobia of the British National Party and the Scottish Defence League and join the Scotland United demonstration at Glasgow Green and march through the city.

Scotland United Against Racism and Fascism - http://www.scotlandunited.org/
Supported by Stop the War Coalition

Saturday 14 November
Assemble 12 noon, Nelson’s Column, Glasgow Green

Speakers include:Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First MinisterAnnabel Goldie MSP, Conservative leader in the Scottish ParliamentMohammad Sarwar MPRobert Brown MSPGrahame Smith, Secretary General, STUCAamer Anwar, human rights lawyer

Performers include:Laura McGhee - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCm51WFzXkY

"We the undersigned strongly oppose plans by the 'Scottish Defence League' - a group linked to the fascist BNP - to demonstrate in Glasgow city centre and march on the local mosque. The SDL is a racist group dedicated to attacking Asian people and Muslims. Islamophobia - bigotry against Muslims - is as unacceptable as any other form of racism. Its aim is to divide us by making scapegoats of one community, just as the far-right did with Jews in the 1930s. We have a simple message for these racist and fascist groups. We will not let you turn the clock back to the 1970s when their thugs could attack black and Asian people with impunity. An injury to one is an injury to all – and their attempts to target and scapegoat Muslims will fail. Today they threaten the Mosque, tomorrow it could be a Synagogue, Temple or Church. Today they threaten Muslims, tomorrow it could be Jewish people, Hindus, Sikhs, black people, lesbians & gay men, trade unionists, travellers or Eastern Europeans. There is no place for Nazis, racists or the BNP in Glasgow’s multiracial, multi-cultural and multi-religious community. We call on the Leader of Glasgow City Council and the Police to ban the SDL/EDL action."

Get in touch if can take a pile of leaflets to distribute on the demonstration.

Stop the War statement on the BNP - http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1269/1/

In doubt over the rise of Islamophobia? Here are a list of articles available on our website http://stopwar.org.uk/index.php?searchword=ISLAMOPHOBIA&option=com_search&Itemid=186

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Noam Chomsky - public meeting (Edinburgh and Glasgow)

7.30pm Tue 10 Nov St George's West Church, (Candlish Hall) 58 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RT and Quaker Meeting House, 38 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow G2 4PS
with Noam Chomsky by live link from the US,

What does Barack Obama'a apparent dithering over Afghanistan really mean? Ask America's leading intellectual

Meeting supported by: Radio Ramadan Edinburgh; Scotland Against Criminalising Communities; Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Responding to the Afghan election farce

NATO's operation in Afghanistan has descended into farce. Gordon Brown and Barack Obama have both congratulated Hamid Karzai - a man they installed as Afghanistan's ruler in the first place - for winning an election they themselves have condemned as corrupt.

The result of this charade will be to further weaken support for the war here. The fact that there are now establishment voices arguing the war is pointless also strengthens the hand of those of us who want to bring the troops home altogether. We need to use the weeks up to Christmas to put maximum pressure on the government.

We are asking all our supporters to do as many of the following as possible:

- PETITION:
Get everyone you know to sign the Bring the Troops Home petition. We plan to hand it in very publicly to Gordon Brown in December, so we need the maximum possible number of signatures by then. You can sign it online (http://bit.ly/ft6BP) or download a copy (http://bit.ly/rNaTZ) and take it round your workmates, neighbours, friends etc.

- LOBBY YOUR MP:
Lobby your MP and demand he or she does everything possible to end the occupation. Send a Bring the Troops Home postcard (available from the office@stopwar.org.uk) to your MP.

- MILITARY FAMILIES:
If you have family connections with the military or know anyone who does and is against the war, please contact us. More and more military families are getting in touch. As Michael Clarke, Director of the Royal United Services Institute is quoted as saying in the Guardian 'The cynicism that eventually corroded the morale of US forces in Vietnam is a spectre that is beginning to haunt the whole Afghanistan enterprise'.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Financial Appeal and Stop the War Christmas cards

In the last few months Presidents Obama’s surge of troops to Afghanistan, the growing death toll of soldiers and Afghan civilians, the bombing of Pakistan and Gaza earlier this year have demonstrated that the need for a thriving Stop the War Coalition is as great as ever.
Recently we sent a coach to the National demonstration to get the Troops out of Afghanistan in London, led by led by Lance Corporal Joe Glenton -- the first serving soldier in the British army to join an anti-war march -
http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1561/1/ .

We have received great support from trade unions, peace and groups working for social justice and you as an individual, over the years and together we have achieved much.

We would like to continue being able to respond as we did earlier this year, when we seen the bombing of Gaza and the biggest ever wave of protests since the invasion of Iraq. The anti-war movement needs to be both organised and mobilised.

Printing leaflets, petitions and posters; booking buses to get to the demonstrations; meetings and event room hires all cost well spent money and keep our movement organised, united and mobilised.

Please consider making a donation to Glasgow Stop the War Coalition.

DONATE ONLINE: http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

BY POST: Cheques made to 'GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION' C/o Dave Sherry, Branch Secretary, TGWU Scottish Housing Branch, TGWU Offices, 290 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4LD. (drop us a quick email to let us know you’ve sent it)

IN PERSON: TEXT 07912348366 and we will arrange collection.

Go to www.stopwar.org.uk and for more info on the Stop the War Coalition and its activities.

Get your Christmas Cards at
http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

Designed by supporters of Stop the War in Glasgow you get 9 cards for £4.50 with £1.00 postage costs.

Please forward and circulate this email to all your contacts.


Post the following to on your facebook –
checking out the latest Glasgow Stop the War newsletter at http://glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com/

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Statement from Stop the War on the British National Party

Is the British National Party anti-war?

The British National Party (BNP) is attempting to present itself as an anti-war party in order to raise its profile in the European elections on Thursday 4 June.

Statement from Stop the War on the British National Party

We do not accept that the BNP is an anti-war party. It is a fascist organisation whose policies can only be carried through by a civil war against ethnic minorities and all those it regards as inferior. We note that the BNP is concentrating its racism upon Muslims. We therefore oppose the BNP’s inclusion in any hustings or debates during the election campaign. We support the campaigns which reveal the real nature of the BNP. http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1269/1/

EU ELECTIONS 4 JUNE: QUESTIONS FOR PARTIES AND CANDIDATEShttp://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1260/1/

VIDEO: LOVE MUSIC, HATE ANTI-WAR FASCISTShttp://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1269/1/

UNDERCOVER WITH THE BNPhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nBiCymtchA

USEFUL LINK FOR RESOURCES TO STOP THE BNP

http://www.uaf.org.uk/

If you are following Stop the War on Twitter (highlyrecommended -- sign up here: http://twitter.com/STWuk), youwill have received links to these web pages which havestatements from Stop the War on the European elections ingeneral and the BNP in particular:

SAY NO TO THE BNP - USE YOUR VOTE ON 4TH JUNE PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL

Monday 30 March 2009

G20 Demonstrate

5 REASONS TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST WAR THIS WEDNESDAY 1st April 2009:
Saturday's Put People First demonstration was excellent. Tens of thousands cameout to protest against the whole spectrum of the world leaders' policies. Theanti-war bloc was very big and very loud and got lots of coverage.
The next big event is the Yes We Can demonstration this Wednesday.
This is the only anti-war demonstration at the G20. It is the main chance wehave to make sure that the G20 leaders can't avoid the massive opposition totheir war policies.
The demonstration will assemble at the US Embassy, Grosvenor Sq, London W1A2LQ. Nearest tubes Green Park or Bond Street.
We will hand in a message to Barack Obama and then march through central Londonto Trafalgar Square for an alternative summit.
Speakers include Arthur Scargill, Tony benn, Susan George, Lindsey German,Bruce Kent and Daud Abdullah.
5 REASONS TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST WAR THIS WEDNESDAY:
* Barack Obama has just announced a surge of 23,000 extra troops forAfghanistan. The British government looks set to send another 2,000.
* The murderous siege of Gaza continues. Israel is still bombing the tunnels into Gaza.
* No date has been set for the withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq.
* Both US and British projected military spending has risen on last year.
* Britain is still selling arms to Israel.

Monday 16 March 2009

DEMONSTRATE - JOBS NOT BOMBS - NO TO NATO - NO TO WAR

Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

E-Bulletin - 13 March 2009 Web:
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/
http://www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com/


IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) NO TO WAR – NO TO NATO PUBLIC MEETING ON THUR 19 MARCH
2) PUT PEOPLE FIRST DEMONSTRATION – 28 MARCH 20093) G20 DEMONSTRATION WED 1 APRIL US EMBASSY4) PROTEST AT NATO, STRASBOURG, APRIL 3 -55) DVD – STW Conference 20096) OTHER EVENTS

**************************************************************************************
1) NO TO WAR – NO TO NATO PUBLIC MEETING

Glasgow Public meeting Thursday 19th March, 7.30 pm
Sixty years of NATO are enoughNO TO WARNO TO NATO Speakers: Rae Street (Manchester CND), Isobel Lindsay (Scottish CND), Pete Ramand (Glasgow University Stop the War)

Renfield St Stephens, 280 Bath Street, Glasgow

Come along and hear the arguments, discuss and debate and help build the demonstrations at the G20 and NATO, pick up publicity, get materials.

Organised jointly by Stop the War Coalition and Scottish CND

**************************************************************************************

2) PUT PEOPLE FIRST DEMONSTRATION – 28 MARCH 2009
*SATURDAY 28 MARCH: PUT PEOPLE FIRSTMARCH FOR JOBS, CLIMATE, JUSTICEASSEMBLE VICTORIA EMBANKMENT 11AMNearest tube station TempleMARCH TO HYDE PARK

FULL DETAILS AT
http://www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk/

MARCH FOR JOBS NOT BOMBS
There will be an Anti war contingent on the PUT PEOPLE FIRST demonstration which will form up in Lincoln's Inn Fields from 11am. Look for the Stop the War/PSC/CND banners.

RETURN COACH TICKETS
A coach will leave Glasgow on 27 March at midnight to arrive in London on Saturday morning. Book you coach ticket online at
http://www.glasgowstopwar.express.ts.com/

WAGED – 25.00, LOW-WAGED 20.00, CONCESSION – 15.00, SOLIDARITY PRICE – 30.00

Coach will arrive back in Glasgow on Sunday morning.

Email
glasgowstopwar@gmail.com if you do not want to book online and arrange to get your ticket.

Supporter organisations (click on the organisation to go to their website):
ActionAid, AJCC, ACTSA, Advocacy International, Akina Mama Wa Africa, AMREF UK, Article 12 in Scotland, ASLEF, ATL, Avaaz, BECTU, BOND, BOVA, Bretton Woods Project, CAFOD, Campaign Against Climate Change, CDD, CSP, Change is Coming, Christian Aid, CND, Compass, Concern Worldwide (UK), Co-operative News, Connect, CWU, Dalit Solidarity Network UK, Defend Council Housing, DoSomethingAboutIt, Down2Earth Down2Us, EAP, Engineers Against Poverty, EQUITY, European Movement, Everychild,
Fairtrade Foundation, Fatima Women's Network, FBU, Find Your Feet, Friends of the Earth, GardenAfrica, GCAP, GMB, Green New Deal Group, Greenpeace, Health Unlimited, HelpAge International, International Service, Jubilee Debt Campaign, Justice for Colombia, Lattitude, Merlin, Micah Challenge UK, MRDF, Musicians Union, Muslim Council of Britain, NASUWT, NEF, NSC, NUJ, NUS, NUT, One World Action, Oxfam, Pants to Poverty, PCS, People and Planet, Performers Without Borders, Plan UK, Progressio, Prospect, Red Pepper, RMT, Salvation Army, Save the Children, SCIAF, Shelter, Skillshare, SoR, Stamp Out Poverty, STOP AIDS Campaign, Stop Climate Chaos, Sudanese Women for Peace, Synergy Centre, Tax Justice Network, Teach a Man to Fish, Tearfund, Thirty-eight degrees, TFSR, Tourism Concern, Trade Justice Movement, TUC, Trading Visions, Traidcraft
Transnational Institute, TSSA, UCATT, UCU, UK Aid Network, UNISON, UNITE, USDAW, VSO, War on Want, Womankind Worldwide, WILPF, World Development Movement , World Vision, WWF

****************************************************************************************

3) DEMONSTRATE AT THE G20, WEDNESDAY 1 APRILASSEMBLE US EMBASSY, GROSVENOR SQUARE. 2PM

We can now confirm that the G20 march will assemble outside the US embassy on Wednesday 1 April. Before we leave we will deliver a message to Barack Obama at the embassy.

This is the next step in the campaign to end the siege of Gaza and to get the troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq.

The march will end with an 'alternative summit' in Trafalgar square. Speakers already confirmed include TONY BENN, ARTHUR SCARGILL, anti debt campaigner SUSAN GEORGE, Palestinian singer REEM KOLANI, JEREMY CORBYN MP, KATE HUDSON from CND and LINDSEY GERMAN from the Stop the War Coalition.

We are asking all our supporters to do everything they can to take time off and attend this vital demonstration.

Flyers and posters are available from the
glasgowstopwar@gmail.com
Please order some to leaflet your street, workplace or college.

DEMONSTRATE WEDNESDAY 1 APRILYES WE CAN* Get the troops out of Iraq & Afghanistan* End the siege of Gaza - free Palestine* Create jobs not bombs* Stop arming Israel* Abolish all nuclear weapons
CALLED BY: Stop the War, CND, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, British Muslim Initiative

TRANSPORT FROM SCOTLAND – EMAIL
scotlandstopwar@hotmail.co.uk

**************************************************************************************4) PROTEST AT THE NATO CONFERENCE, STRASBOURGAPRIL 4TH AND 5TH. BOOK NOW.

Thousands of anti war campaigners across Europe will be makingtheir way to Strasbourg to protest against NATO's policies forthe weekend of 3-5th of April.

The US is pressuring NATO leaders to join the US led surge inAfghanistan. A huge popular protest will be a big setback tothat project. It will also be a blow against NATO's plan foreastward expansion.

The international demonstration is on Saturday April 4th.There will be a counter conference on the 3rd and the 5thwhich will be addressed by Tariq Ali, Noam Chomsky and AliFayad from Hezbollah and many others.

Protest: Friday 3rd April
Evening Protest at the Foreign Ministers’ meeting and gala Dinner, Baden-Baden
Protest: Saturday 4th April
Am: Blockade of NATO summit in the Palace de Congres, Strasbourg1pm: International demonstration in central Strasbourg
Friday 3rd April: Alternative Summit - Strasbourg
10am-1pm: A critical history of NATO2pm-7pm: Workshop groups-A World Without NATO
Sunday 5th April
10am-12 noon: 60 years of NATO are enough12:30pm-2pm: NATO overcome-The challenge for politics and the peace movement2:30pm-4pm: Peace Assembly
There will also be a festival, discussions and events at the International Village of Resistance camp in Strasbourg from 1st April.

Travel
Stop the War is putting on coaches to Strasbourg from Scotland Coaches are being organised by Stop the War to take protesters from Scotland to the international demonstration in Strasbourg on 4-5 April 2009, where Nato will meet for the 60th anniversary of its foundation. Coaches will leave Edinburgh 10.30am Thursday 2nd April. Fare £70 students & low waged inclusive of boat fare, £80 solidarity price. Book at
http://www.glasgowstopwar.express.ts.com/
Coaches will return to Scotland by midday on Monday 6th April.
Email
scotlandstopwar@hotmail.co.uk for more details or go to the Facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=45712084834 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
' );
//-->


Accommodation
The International Village of Resistance will be accommodating up to 5,000 people in Strasbourg from 1st-5th April.
There will also be emergency overspill camp accommodation in Kehl and Baden-Baden for 3rd/4th April.

Essentials for the journey
You will need to bring a sleeping bag and a valid passport.

Please call 07791913316 with any questions you may have.

**************************************************************************************

5) DVD – STW Conference 2009

We now have available a DVD with highlights from our Stop the War Conference 2009 in Glasgow that took place on 21st February 2009. If you missed the conference or would like a copy, either email
glasgowstopwar@gmail.com or get it online now at http://www.glasgowstopwar.express.ts.com/

We are asking for a £3.00 donation and a £1.00 fee for postage.

For bulk orders from trade unions, councils, schools or stop the war groups – please email
glasgowstopwar@gmail.com
**************************************************************************************

6) OTHER EVENTS

THURSDAY 2 APRIL: G20 MEETING PROTESTEXCEL CENTRE (details
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/)Stop the War will be protesting from 11am at the Excel centre, when the G20 leaders will be meeting.

SATURDAY 25 APRIL: STOP THE WAR'S NATIONAL CONFERENCE CAMDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL, LONDONSPEAKERS include Ken Loach, Craig Murray, Tony Benn, Karma Nabulsi, Sami Ramadani. (Further details
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/)

LOW KEY RELEASES GAZA SINGLE
Low Key, the award winning hip hop artist and poet, hasreleased as a single Tears to Laughter, with its rallying callof "long live Palestine - long live Gaza", which has becomethe unofficial soundtrack to many protests, universityoccupations and fundraising events for Gaza and Palestineacross the UK. All profits from the sale of the Tears toLaughter will be donated to the DEC Gaza appeal.
The single costs just 79p and can be downloaded from iTunes orJuno (
http://www.juno.co.uk/ppps/products/1402457-02.htm)

Friday 13 February 2009

Stop the War Coalition Scotland Conference

Stop the War Coalition (Scotland) Conference

With an great line up of speakers this is a great opportunity to share experiences of struggle and organise for the future.

Date:  21st February 2009

Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Venue: Charles Wilson Building, Glasgow University, corner of University Avenue and Gibson Street.

Get your ticket here: www.glasgowstopwar.express.ts.com

Food available in the venue.

Registration is from 9.30am

Five sessions:

Free Palestine – end the siege of Gaza

War and Occupation: Afghanistan, Africa, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine …

Nukes and Nato: 60 years of Nato is enough.  Will Obama deliver change?

As the wave of student occupations spread - Where next for the student movement?

War at Home and Resistance: Islamophobia, Civil Liberties, Military Families …

The line up of international speakers already include – Walter Wolfgang (Labour NEC), Ghada Karmi (Palestinian campaigner), Kate Hudson (British CND, Chair), Aamer Anwar(human rights lawyer), Pauline McNeill (Labour MSP), Sandra White (SNP MSP), Bill Kidd (SNP MSP), Neil Mackay (journalist), Jackson Culinane (UNITE union), Hossam el-Hamalawy (Egyptian journalist), Osama Saeed (Scottish Islamic Foundation), Rose Gentle (Military Families Against War), Eamonn McCann (Raytheon Nine), Mohammad Asif (Scottish Afghan Society), Lindsey German (Stop the War Coalition convenor), Ivona Novomestska (Czech bases campaign), Dave Moxham (STUC), Alan McKinnon (SCND), Kenny Ross (Scottish Regional Secretary FBU), Mujahid Islam and others to be confirmed.

Tickets also available from Stop the War members:

ABERDEEN 07505 006 170 - Bus leaves Aberdeen city centre at 7:00am - to book a place call this number.

DUNDEE 0782 805 586 Bus leaves Discovery Point, Dundee at 8:00am - to book a place call this number.

EDINBURGH 07773 423 051

FIFE 07806 332 345

GLASGOW 07869 306 483

You can get your ticket online now by going to www.glasgowstopwar.express.ts.com

We would ask for a donation of £5.00 to help us with speakers travel costs, venue hire and publicity costs.  If you would like to donate more please do so – there are donation options up to £25.00.

Sponsor someone to attend.

In the unfortunate case that you cannot attend on the day please do consider helping someone else to attend. You can do this by  clicking on same link as above  www.glasgowstopwar.express.ts.com and giving a donation of £6.00.

Spread the word – if you would like to get some flyers or posters for this event please email scotlandstopwar@hotmail.co.uk or glasgowstopwar@gmail.com

Monday 9 February 2009

Glasgow University Occupy in Solidarity with Gaza

Glasgow University Occupy in Solidarity with Gaza

Students begin the 23rd university occupation in Britain in the past 3 weeks

At 2pm this afternoon over 50 students at the University of Glasgow went into occupation to protest against the current siege of Gaza, in solidarity with the Palestinians, and against the involvement of arms manufacturers at our university. After weeks of campaigning, we presented the Principal with a set of demands (following at the end of this press release) and petitions signed by over one thousand  Glasgow University students and staff in support of the people of Gaza.  Following an unsatisfactory response from the Principal Sir Muir Russell we have decided to occupy the Computing Science building at the university. The university has proven funding and investment links to BAE systems and other arms manufacturers who supply weapons to the state of Israel. The Computing Science department is one of the departments with major links to BAE systems. This action is taking place against the background of a wave of successful occupations around Britain.

We demand:

The severing of links between the university and arms manufacturers, such as BAE Systems.

An official university statement condemning the Israeli army’s atrocities in Gaza.

A boycott of all Israeli produce on campus, such as Eden Springs water.  

Donations of academic resources to help rebuild Gaza’s battered schools and universities.

A day of fundraising across campus in support of the DEC appeal.

A commitment to fund scholarships for Palestinian students.

 

We, the students, will remain in occupation indefinitely until our demands are met.

Contacts:

glasgowunioccupation@gmail.com

glasgowunioccupation.blogspot.com

David Lynch: 07838661699

Raymie Kiernan: 07920403766

Eileen Boyle : 07884345731

Saturday 31 January 2009

Stop the War Coalition (Scotland) Conference 2009

Saturday 21 February

10am – 5pm

Charles Wilson Building, Glasgow University (intersection of Gibson Street, Bank Street, and Kelvin Way)



Four sessions:Free Palestine – end the siege of GazaWar and Occupation: Afghanistan, Africa, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine …Nukes and Nato: Trident, Eastern Europe, The ‘Long War’ …War at Home and Resistance: Islamophobia, Civil Liberties, Military Families …


Speakers include: Walter Wolfgang, Ghada Karmi (Palestinian campaigner), Kate Hudson (British CND), Aamer Anwar, Pauline McNeill (MSP), Sandra White (MSP)' Bill Kidd (MSP)' Neil Mackay (journalist), Hossam al-Malaway (Egyptian journalist), Osama Saeed (Scottish Islamic Foundation), Rose Gentle (military families against war), Eamonn McCann (Raytheon Nine)' Mohammad Asif (Scottish Afghan Society), Lindsey German (Stop the War Coalition), Ivona Novomestska (Czech bases campaign).


Get you ticket online now: http://glasgowstopwar.express.ts.com/ suggested donation £5


If you would like artwork in order to print leaflets please email scotlandstopwar@hotmail.co.uk

Monday 26 January 2009

BBC – KEEP UP THE PRESSURE

STOP THE WAR COALITION GLASGOW

NEWSLETTER  

26 January 2009  

www.stopwar.org.uk

www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com

Donate to the Gaza Appeal at http://www.dec.org.uk/

 

IN THIS NEWSLETTER 

1) BBC – KEEP UP THE PRESSURE

2) UP COMING MEETINGS – PUT THEM IN YOUR DIARY – GET INVOLVED

3) GLASGOW BBC OCCUPATION RECEIVES WORLD-WIDE COVERAGE

4) BLOGS FROM GAZA

5) SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY OCCUPATIONS

5) PETITIONS TO NUMBER 10 DOWNING STREET

6) LOBBY YOUR MP – includes Sandra White motion to Scottish parliament

7) FINANCIAL APPEAL

8) LOCAL GROUP CONTACTS

9) VIDEOS AND PICTURES

10) HELP US EXPAND OUT MAILING LIST

 

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR TRADE UNION, NETWORKS, CONTACTS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

 

1) BBC – KEEP UP THE PRESSURE

The BBC has so far received over 11,000 complaints about its decision not to air the DEC Appeal for Gaza (and only 68 in support!).  The telephone lines were jammed for most of the weekend.  The telephone is the most effective way to register your complaint, add your voice! Call 03700100222.

Protest outside the BBC during the meeting with BBC Scotland Controller and Director of News:

 

4:30pm Wednesday 28 January

BBC Scotland Headquarters, Pacific Quay

BRING YOUR TV LICENCE TO HAND BACK TO THE BBC

We would like to thank the countless number of people from across the world who have telephoned and texted messages of support for the action taken at the BBC Scotland HQ.  

2) UP COMING MEETINGS – PUT THEM IN YOUR DIARY – GET INVOLVED 

A) GET INVOLVED – ORGANISING MEETING FOR GAZA – TUES 27 JAN

All welcome to get involved with planning future actions for Gaza.

Tuesday 27 January

16 Queen's Crescent

7.30pm

Two minute walk from George's Cross Underground station.

 B) Stop the War Coalition (Scotland) Conference – 21st February 2009

Organising meeting for conference:

STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow - MAP: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=257503&Y=666725&A=Y&Z=110

THURSDAY 29 JANUARY – 7.30PM

Stop the War Coaltion is asking all their supporters to attend this meeting to help organise this conference. The conference has already been supported by six unions branches in Scotland including the STUC.

The line up of international speakers already include – Walter Wolfgang, Ghada Karmi (Palestinian campaigner), Kate Hudson (British CND), Aamer Anwar, Pauline McNeill (MSP), Sandra White (MSP), Bill Kidd (MSP), Neil Mackay (journalist), Hossam al-Malaway (Egyptian journalist), Osama Saeed (Scottish Islamic Foundation), Rose Gentle (military families against war), Eamonn McCann (Raytheon Nine), Mohammad Asif (Scottish Afghan Society), Lindsey German (Stop the War Coalition), Ivona Novomestska (Czech bases campaign), Mary Senior (STUC), Alan McKinnon (SCND), Kenny Ross (FBU), Mujahid Islam

Bring your ideas and skills. We’ll need to organise publicity and press teams, cultural inputs, conference setup and much more.

C) TWO SIDES - ONE STORY:

GUANTANAMO FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE WIRE

A national tour to mark seven years of unlawful detention, abuse and torture

The tour is coming to Glasgow on Friday 30th January

Friday 30 January

 Adelaides, 209 Bath Street, Glasgow , G2 4HZ

Meeting starts at 7.30pm  (doors open from 7.00pm)

Cageprisoners Presents:

MOAZZAM BEGG

(Ex-Guantanamo Detainee, Spokesman for Cageprisoners)

SAMI AL HAJ, (Ex Guantanamo Detainee and Aljazeera Journalist)

CHRISTOPHER ARENDT, (Ex-Guantanamo Guard)

http://www.cageprisoners.com/tour

Presented by Cageprisoners, supported by Glasgow Stop the War Coalition, SACC,  the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Scottish Media Workers Against the War and  the Federation of Student Islamic Societies 

100 days to close Guantanamo: http://www.johnlayton.co.uk/guantanamo.htm

 

2) WORLD-WIDE COVERAGE OF OUR OCCUPATION OF BBC SCOTLAND HEADQUARTERS

Over 100 people participated in an occupation of the BBC Scotland headquarters on Sunday, demanding that the broadcaster show the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Gaza.  Occupiers entered the building at 5pm, and despite the police threatening mass arrests to remove everyone within 15 minutes, the occupation remained for almost 4 hours.

The occupation was successful in applying additional pressure on the BBC through extensive national and international media coverage, including front-page coverage in the Metro as well as coverage on CNN and CBS.  It was announced live on Channel 4 news as well as on Sky TV.  Al-Jazeera Arabic ran a live telephone interview from the occupation, and Press TV will today interview Strathclyde University media expert Professor David Miller.  Another Iranian television station rang Stop the War at 4:30am to do an interview, and the story was the third item on their morning news bulletin.

Tony Benn also telephoned the occupation to offer his support, saying ‘The decision to occupy the BBC in Glasgow must be understood as a plea for the people of Gaza, who are suffering so much and who need our help to help get the money through’. 

A delegation from the occupation was elected to meet with Ian Small, Head of Public Policy & Corporate Affairs and member of the BBC’s Executive Board, who was called in specially to meet with the occupiers.  The BBC agreed that it will arrange a meeting with the delegation with Ken McQuarrie, the Controller of the BBC Scotland, and Atholl Duncan, the head of news for BBC Scotland on Wednesday the 28th of January.  Glasgow Stop the War Coalition is asking its supporters and those who support humanitarian aid to Gaza to gather outside the BBC on Wednesday at 4.30pm.

Protestors also promised to return unless the DEC appeal is aired.  Glasgow Stop the War also called for others to take similar actions around the UK. 

All the occupiers decided to leave the building together, and no arrests were made.  By that time, television cameras from SKY TV, BBC, and GMTV had arrived, as well as a reporter from the Daily Record.  Numerous interviews were also conducted by telephone from inside the occupation.

Videos from inside the occupation at -  http://uk.youtube.com/user/aalhia10

Pictures at - http://www.flickr.com/photos/gphrc-palestine/sets/72157612985084878/show/

BBC staff protest over gaza aid appeal – ‘fury’ at the news desk meeting.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/26/bbc-staff-protest-over-gaza-aid-appeal

Unions protest over BBC and Sky’s Gaza appeal ban

http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1089

Some of the coverage:

The occupation made the front page of the Metro. There is a 2-page spread about the occupation in the Daily Mail, and reports on Page 2 of the Daily Record and p.8 of the Herald amongst many others. News24 have been covering the DEC appeal protests at the BBC Scotland all day today and Glasgow Stop the War Coalition was interviewed in the early hours of Monday morning on Press TV.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5isNP1yEw0IhLn0ZpL189AGop4IRgD95UEAG00

http://www.turkishweekly.net/other-news/72336/religious-leaders-british-lawmakers-call-on-bbc-to-show-gaza-fundraising-advertisement.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/01/25/bbc.gaza.advert/index.html

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/arts_entertainment/media/relief+workers+call+for+more+aid+to+gaza/2910812

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/01/26/gaza-protestors-invade-bbc-scotland-offices-over-refusal-to-broadcast-aid-appeal-86908-21071634/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1126863/Now-Sky-joins-BBC-refusal-broadcast-Gaza-TV-appeal.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/mps-and-religious-leaders-press-bbc-to-screen-gaza-aid-appeal-1515734.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/25/AR2009012501548.html

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/26-Jan-2009/Protesters-occupy-BBC-offices

We would like to thank the countless number of people from across the world who have telephoned and texted messages of support and solidarity for the action taken at the BBC Scotland HQ.

Unseen Gaza

Channel 4 Video Report - Broadcast - January 22, 2009


Is what has been presented on our screens and in our papers a true reflection of events on the ground in Gaza? And how do these reports differ to those aired in other countries?

With reporters unable to enter Gaza, attempted media manipulation from both sides and strict regulations governing what images that can be shown on British TV, Jon Snow asks a range of journalists from at home and abroad about the challenges of getting the full story.

Featuring images that haven't before been aired on mainstream television, Jon also examines the difference between the coverage at home and that in the US, Europe and the Middle East. He compares the coverage available on terrestrial channels with satellite TV and the internet and investigates the extent to which some British Muslims are by-passing the mainstream British media and looking elsewhere for their information.

To what extent does the choice of news outlet affect opinion of the conflict?

Watch the progamme here:
 
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21833.htm

4) BLOGS FROM GAZA

These blogs are all written by people presently in Gaza who are trying to document and communicate the destruction that has been wreaked there:

http://talestotell.wordpress.com/

http://ingaza.wordpress.com/

http://sunshine208.blogspot.com/

Check out: www.wanted.org.il

 

5) SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY OCCUPATIONS

Over the past two weeks students at 17 universities in the UK have occupied buildings in solidarity with the people of Gaza.   They have been demanding that their universities divest from companies that support the Israeli occupation, that their universities provide support and scholarships to Palestinian students whose universities have been destroyed, that their universities conduct official charity collections for Gaza, and that their universities send extra equipment to Gaza.  Many have won significant victories.

Please send messages of support!  They make a big difference to those on the inside. Visit http://cambridgegazasolidarity.blogspot.com/ for details and links to other occupations in progress.

Latest footage from the LSE occupation:

 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6QHvW03Z5Cs&eurl=http://stopwar.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=979&Itemid=1

5) PETITIONS TO NUMBER 10 DOWNING STREET

 There are two petitions on the no 10 downing street website: one calling for sanctions against Israel, and one calling for arms sales to Israel to be banned:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Arms-embargo/

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Israel-Sanctions/

 

6) LOBBY YOUR MP

The organising meeting last week discussed visiting the surgeries of MPs to call on the government to take concrete action against Israel, such as closing the Israeli embassy, and cancelling all arms sales to Israel.

To write to your MP and find out when they have a surgery see www.writetothem.com.

We commend the motion presented to the Scottish Parliament.

S3M-3304 Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): BBC Refusal to Help in Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza 
That the Parliament condemns the decision by the BBC, a public funded body, not to air the appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) for humanitarian aid for Gaza; notes that ITV and channels 4 and 5 will air this appeal and commends them for doing so; considers that refusing to air this appeal leaves the BBC in isolation and brings into question the independence of the BBC, and draws attention to the fact that people who wish to contribute to the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal can do so by contacting DEC at O37O 6O 6O 9OO or DEC Gaza Crisis, PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA or visit www.dec.org.uk.

Contact your MSP today to support this motion.

7) LOCAL GROUP CONTACTS

 Get in touch with your local Stop the War group:

Edinburgh: edinburghstw@tiscali.co.uk - 07866 176 960

Glasgow: glasgowstopwar@gmail.com -  07952 452 906

Aberdeen: etmorison@yahoo.co.uk – 07505 006 170

Dundee City: 07828 055 586

Dundee University: i.e.whiteside@dundee.ac.uk – 07918 774 177

Abertay University: e.dargie@btinternet.com – 07916 215 331

St Andrews: martinschmierer@yahoo.co.uk – 07765 376 730

Glasgow uni: gustopthewar@gmail.com, 07920 403 766

Strathclyde uni: strathunistopwar@yahoo.co.uk

School Students Against the War – Edinburgh@ssaw.org.uk

 

8) FINANCIAL APPEAL

The donations and new membership subscriptions have been a tremendous help in the past four weeks in funding the costs of our campaign against the Gaza massacre. Many thanks to all those who contributed. However, demonstrations are very expensive to organise and we still need more funding to cover the full costs of the last three week's events and to ensure we can be as effective as possible in our Gaza campaign and other anti-war activities.  Do a collection in your workplace, amongst your friends and family.

Please consider making a monthly direct debit contribution or making a one off donations. Here's how –

IN PERSON-  Telephone 07912348366

BY POST: Cheques made to 'GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION' C/o Dave Sherry, Branch Secretary, TGWU Scottish Housing Branch, TGWU Offices, 290 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4LD.

 

9) VIDEOS AND PICTURES

Thanks for continuing to send in your videos and pictures to help us spread the message of the anti-war movement.

Photos of BBC occupation:

http://leninology.blogspot.com/2009/01/update-from-glasgow-stop-war.html

Photos of Glasgow demonstration on 3rd January - http://www.flickr.com/photos/65271786@N00/sets/72157612060286821/

National Demonstration in Edinburgh 10th January - http://www.flickr.com/photos/65271786@N00/sets/72157612362331881/

Latest - http://www.flickr.com/photos/65271786@N00/ 

(including Lloyds TSB 17th Jan)

These are for view purposes only and cannot be used for commercial use.

BBC Demonstration over coverage of Gaza massacre:

View video here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py-r-lfhK3M

 

10) HELP US EXPAND OUT MAILING LIST

We collect many email addresses from on demonstrations and at events. They are not always easy to read and therefore we cannot keep in touch.

Collect emails addresses from your friends, family and workmates and email them to glasgowstopwar@gmail.com

Please forward this email to your email address book.

Check www.stopwar.org.uk for more info. Also www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com

 

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR TRADE UNION, NETWORKS, CONTACTS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

MORE INFO AT www.stopwar.org.uk OR www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com