GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION
Email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com
Web: glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com or stopwar.org.uk
Facebook: Glasgow stopwarcoalition
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) CUT THE WAR IN 2011 - NOT OUR PUBLIC SERVICES – 3 EVENTS
2) WAR YOU DON'T SEE – NEW VIDEO – JOHN PILGER
3) BARACK OBAMA IS BLIND, STUPID OR A LIAR
4) "GLASGOW TO GAZA IN 60 MINUTES" CONFERENCE – Jan 14th
5) Message to gay community: Don't go. Don't kill.
6) STOP THE WAR COALITION SCOTLAND AGM

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1) CUT THE WAR IN 2011 - NOT OUR PUBLIC SERVICES – 3 EVENTS

The cost of the war in Afghanistan has hit an all time new high. Glasgow Stop the War Coalition urges you to do all you can to build the following events to raise the demand of JOBS NOT BOMBS. We say stop the spending on war and spend it on our public services and lets make 2011 the year we CUT THE WAR.

A - DEFEND GLASGOW SERVICES - JAN 29 – Facebook: Defend Glasgow Services

B - A PEOPLES ASSEMBLY – FEB 12 – www.righttowork.org.uk

C- MARCH FOR THE ALTERNATIVE – NATIONAL TUC DEMO – MAR 26 - http://www.tuc.org.uk/theme/index.cfm?theme=alltogether

War machine can feed the poor

The UN says global poverty has doubled in the last 30 years. In the last 10 years the US has spent over $1 trillion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The immortal Bill Hicks shows how the technology used to wage war could be the solution to global poverty.
http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2175/27/

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2 - WAR YOU DON'T SEE – NEW VIDEO – JOHN PILGER

John Pilger investigates the media's role in war. He traces the history of 'embedded' and independent reporting from the carnage of WWI to the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=198443
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3 - BARACK OBAMA IS BLIND, STUPID OR A LIAR
Obama, presenting the White House annual review of the Afghanistan war, said "we're making significant progress" and the war is "on track to achieve our goals". It isn't, as he must know, because the CIA, the Red Cross, 15 Afghanistan experts who recently wrote him an open letter, and 60 per cent of the American public, all have the same message: the war is a catastrophe. Read full STW article here http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2200/1/

Overview of the Afghanistan and Pakistan Annual Review
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/pdf/12.15.10_APAR_Overview_Final.pdf?hpid=topnews

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4 - "GLASGOW TO GAZA IN 60 MINUTES" CONFERENCE

Friends of Al Aqsa Free event to commemorate 2 years since the Gaza massacre.... Which Israel refers to as "cast lead", when they broke the cease fire and killed 1400 Palestinians over 3 weeks. - Speakers: George Galloway ( former MP, Viva Palestina Convoy )Shaykh Zahir Mahmood ( Imam, Viva Palestina Convoy )

Location: Glasgow Central Mosque http://www.centralmosque.co.uk/location
Time: 5:00PM Sunday, January 16th
Further videos and reading:
- Research links rise in Falluja birth defects and cancers to US assault
Defects in newborns 11 times higher than normalWar contaminants' from 2004 attack could be cause
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/30/faulluja-birth-defects-iraq

- Gaza and the struggle for justice and freedom http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2214/1/

- Gaza: Two years after the horror of Operation Cast Lead http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2211/1/

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5 – MESSAGE TO GAY COMMUNITY: DON'T GO. DON'T KILL.

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, is a defender of gay rights But she says: I want to bang my head against a wall when another young gay person commits suicide as a result of despicable bullying, yet people within the same community have fought hard for the right to openly join the world's biggest bully: the US Army ………. http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2213/1/

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6 – STOP THE WAR COALITION SCOTLAND AGM

An upcoming date for your diary, the Stop the War Coalition AGM/Conference will take place in March 2011. More details will follow in the new year.

If you would like to help with out with its organisations please email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com and we will keep you informed about the planning meetings.

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TIME TO GO

FROM AFGHANISTAN IS

NOW

WATCH THE NEW VIDEO - WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE DEMO

ON 20 NOVEMBER 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI9I0LHopSw

The demonstration will assemble in Hyde Park at 12 noon and march to Trafalgar Square for a rally, when speakers will include Tony Benn, Eric Joyce MP, Guardian journalist Seumas Milne and Lowkey (more to be announced soon).

The war in Afghanistan has entered its tenth year, making it longer than World War I and World War II combined. Both prime minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband support continuing the war, at least till 2015. Thousands more Afghan civilians and Nato soldiers will be killed in a pointless and unwinnable war, when over 70 per cent of the British public want all British troops withdrawn now. Join this crucial demonstration which will give voice to the anti-war majority in the country and tell the politicians the time to go is now.

Publicise in your neighbourhood.

Publicity for the demonstration should be visible in every city, borough, town and village. Posters, flyers and stickers are available to use now from the Stop the War office or email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com
Download flyer...

FIVE WAYS YOU CAN YOU HELP?

email: glasgowstopwar@gmail.com

1 - GET YOUR TRADE UNION OR COMMUNITY GROUP TO SPONSOR

A number of Stop the War activists in Glasgow have indicated they would like to attend the demonstration in London but cannot afford to fund the transport fully themselves. Contact us for a model motion or make a donation

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

2 - LEAFLET THE RIGHT TO WORK CONFERENCE

SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER, RENFIELD ST STEPHENS, BATH STREET

Can you help leaflet this event, anytime between 10am and 5pm.

3 - LEAFLET YOUR LOCAL MOSQUE

Can you help leaflet your local mosque this Friday 12 November

2.00pm - 2.30pm

4 - LEAFLET THE SCND FILM SHOWING

'Beating the Bomb' On Wednesday 17th November, 7.30pm at the Annexe, 9A Stewartville Street, Partick. The film is a potted history of the peace movement and includes old and new footage which brings the story up to date. It runs for approximately 70 minutes. Following the film there will be a discussion/review of the results of the Government's recent Strategic Defence Review.

5- LEAFLET AN EVENT / YOUR STREET

If you would like to leaflet an event your attending or have anytime over the next 10 days please get in touch for flyers.

If you would like to join the Scottish contingent on the demonstration

email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com now and

make a donation ONLINE: http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/

NO TO RACISM,

FASCISM

AND ISLAMOPHOBIA!

March and Carnival The march will assemble at 12 noon, Malet Street, London WC1
Saturday 6 November. (go to www.uaf.org.uk for full details)

Stop the War Coalition would like to through its support behind this demonstration and urge all its members and supporters to do what they can to support and join the demonstration.

This summer the racist thugs of the Scottish and English Defence League have stirred up hatred, run riot and in some cases provoked violent attacks on Muslim, black and Asian communities across Britain. From Bolton to Kilmarnock and Bradford to Edinburgh, UAF has organised local communities and organised national mobilisations wherever these racist thugs have attempted to spread hatred.

A demonstration of tens of thousands against racism will be a vital step forward in combating the rise of the far right and give confidence to the anti-racist majority.

Union leaders, MPs and campaigners have signed up to support the national demonstration against Racism, Fascism and Islamophobia - full list at
http://uaf.org.uk/2010/09/add-your-support-for-6-nov-antiracist-demo/

The demo has been called by UAF and their sister organisation Love Music Hate Racism, and backed by the TUC, the Muslim Council of Britain.

Glasgow coaches depart 12 midnight , George Square, Nov 5th. Arrives in London at 10am on 6th Nov. Tickets £20 waged, £15 unwaged

To make a donation to help Glasgow Stop the War and its supporters get on the bus please visit now and To buy your coach ticket CALL: 07795 466 463 or ONLINE: tickets and donations http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/ **************************************************************************

TIME TO GO FROM
AFGHANISTAN

IS NOW

The demonstration will assemble in Hyde Park at 12 noon and march to Trafalgar Square for a rally, when speakers will include Tony Benn, Eric Joyce MP, Guardian journalist Seumas Milne and Lowkey (more to be announced soon). The war in Afghanistan has entered its tenth year, making it longer than World War I and World War II combined. Both prime minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband support continuing the war, at least till 2015. Thousands more Afghan civilians and Nato soldiers will be killed in a pointless and unwinnable war, when over 70 per cent of the British public want all British troops withdrawn now. Join this crucial demonstration which will give voice to the anti-war majority in the country and tell the politicians the time to go is now. Publicise in your neighbourhood. Publicity for the demonstration should be visible in every city, borough, town and village. Posters, flyers and stickers are available to use now from the Stop the War office.

Download flyer...

If you would like to join the Scottish contingent on the demonstration email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com now and make a donation ONLINE: http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/

NEWSLETTER:
1) There is A Better Way - Jobs Not Bombs - Troops out of Afghanistan – 23 Oct
2) Stop the War Coalition Annual National Conference – 30 Oct
3) National demonstration against Racism, Facism and Islamophobia – 6 Nov
4) The time to go from Afghanistan is NOW – 20 Nov

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THERE IS A BETTER WAY – STOP THE CUTS

JOBS NOT BOMBS - TROOPS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN DEMONSTRATION
Assemble 11am East Market Street - behind Waverley Station in Edinburgh
Stop the War Coalition supports the STUC's demonstration on Saturday 23rd October against cuts and job losses – come along and join the Jobs Not Bombs contingent on the march - Edinburgh Stop the War have commissioned a new banner - look out for it
Jobs Not Bombs - Troops out of Afghanistan.

The British government spends £48 billion a year on its war machine. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, both overwhelming opposed by the British public, have cost £20 billion, to which Afghanistan is adding over £5 billion a year.
The government plans to spend over £70 billion renewing the Trident nuclear missile system, at the same time it is cutting public services such a health and education.

There is a better way – for FREE transport from around Scotland go to: http://www.thereisabetterway.org/buses-23-october-edinburgh

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STOP THE WAR COALITION

ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The past year has been eventful for Stop the War Coalition, including our protest when Tony Blair appeared before the Iraq Inquiry, the two emergency demonstrations following Israel's murderous attack on the Gaza aid flotilla, which brought tens of thousands on to London's and Edinburgh’s streets, the packed public meeting to welcome soldier Joe Glenton on his release from prison, and a series of public meetings in the House of Commons calling for the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan.
Around the country, local Stop the War groups have organised hundreds of events, including public meetings, debates, local protests and vigils.
Our annual national conference will debate our policies, strategy and campaigns for the coming year
Saturday 30 October 10.00am - 5.30pmConway Hall, 25 Red Lion SquareLondon WC1R 4RL (Tube: Holborn)

Resolutions for conference can be viewed here: http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2078/246/
If you would like to join the Scottish delegation to the conference as an individual member please email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com now.

You will need to join Stop the War if you are not already a member.
Join Stop the War Coalition
http://stopwar.org.uk/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,249/
HELP FUND THE COSTS OF THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND NATIONAL AGM BY MAKING A DONATION AT http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/


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NO TO RACISM, FASCISM AND ISLAMOPHOBIA!

March and Carnival
The march will assemble at 12 noon, Malet Street, London WC1

Saturday 6 November.
(go to www.uaf.org.uk for full details)
Stop the War Coalition would like to through its support behind this demonstration and urge all its members and supporters to do what they can to support and join the demonstration.
This summer the racist thugs of the Scottish and English Defence League have stirred up hatred, run riot and in some cases provoked violent attacks on Muslim, black and Asian communities across Britain. From Bolton to Kilmarnock and Bradford to Edinburgh, UAF has organised local communities and organised national mobilisations wherever these racist thugs have attempted to spread hatred. A demonstration of tens of thousands against racism will be a vital step forward in combating the rise of the far right and give confidence to the anti-racist majority.
Union leaders, MPs and campaigners have signed up to support the national demonstration against Racism, Fascism and Islamophobia - full list at

http://uaf.org.uk/2010/09/add-your-support-for-6-nov-antiracist-demo/
The demo has been called by UAF and their sister organisation Love Music Hate Racism, and backed by the TUC, the Muslim Council of Britain.
Glasgow coaches depart 12 midnight , George Square, Nov 5th.
Arrives in London at 10am on 6th Nov. Tickets £20 waged, £15 unwaged
To make a donation to help Glasgow Stop the War and its supporters get on the bus please visit now and
To buy your coach ticket CALL: 07795 466 463 or ONLINE: tickets and donations http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/

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THE TIME TO GO FROM

AFGHANISTAN IS NOW

The demonstration will assemble in Hyde Park at 12 noon and march to Trafalgar Square for a rally, when speakers will include Tony Benn, Eric Joyce MP, Guardian journalist Seumas Milne and Lowkey (more to be announced soon).

The war in Afghanistan has entered its tenth year, making it longer than World War I and World War II combined. Both prime minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband support continuing the war, at least till 2015. Thousands more Afghan civilians and Nato soldiers will be killed in a pointless and unwinnable war, when over 70 per cent of the British public want all British troops withdrawn now. Join this crucial demonstration which will give voice to the anti-war majority in the country and tell the politicians the time to go is now.

Publicise in your neighbourhood. Publicity for the demonstration should be visible in every city, borough, town and village. Posters, flyers and stickers are available to use now from the Stop the War office. Download flyer...

If you would like to join the Scottish contingent on the demonstration email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com now and make a donation ONLINE: http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/

PUBLIC MEETING

Afghanistan – Bring the Troops Home Now!
WE ARE BRADFORD

Protest the English Defense League
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION

Troops Home
MAKE A DONATION

Support Glasgow Stop the War Coalition
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PUBLIC MEETING
We are hoping to have Joe Glenton up to speak at a public meeting in September - date and venue to be confirmed - watch out for details.

Afghanistan - Bring the Troops Home Now.
Thursday 26th August
STUC in Woodlands Road, 7.30pm

Speakers
Diane Abbott Labour MP and Labour Party leadership candidate
Bill Kidd, SNP, MSP
Joan Humphreys, Military Famlies Against War
Mohammed Asif, Scottish Afgahan Society
Unite the Union / STUC.

Leaflets/Posters for downloading

2 x A5 Flyers - https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1MDE4OGI4ZGUtZjM0Yy00NDRjLWJjYjktYzY3NmNiZGVjNzIw&hl=en_GB

A4 POSTER - https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1Y2I4ODc4N2QtMDc0Yi00YTRjLWI5YjAtNGMxMzY2MTQ4ZWFi&hl=en_GB

A3 POSTER - https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1YzJiMDUwNjItN2Q2MS00YzE1LTljYjMtZTRkNTcwMTUyZTM5&hl=en_GB
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WE ARE BRADFORD – PROTEST THE EDL

Glasgow Stop the War urge all of its supporters to attend and mobile others for this demonstration on Saturday 28 August.
Stop the War Coalition’s statement on Islamophobia can be downloaded here: http://tinyurl.com/3x9bnbb

A bus will leave Glasgow to Bradford at 6.45 am from George Square. The bus is being organised by Unite Against Fascism – www.uaf.org.uk – and details of transport can be found at
Please support ‘WE ARE BRADFORD’
Trade unionists, politicians, faith group and community leaders are signing up to a unity statement, opposing the racist English Defence League and supporting the peaceful, multicultural “We are Bradford” event in the city on Saturday 28 August.
Add your name here: http://uaf.org.uk/2010/08/sign-the-statement-backing-the-we-are-bradford-event/

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NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION – TROOPS HOME!
National demonstration in London on 20th November 2010 to give voice to the 83 percent of the British public who think the war is unwinnable and want the troops to come home now. More details to follow.
Download leaflet here:
http://stopwar.org.uk/images//afghan_demo_201110.pdf
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MAKE A DONATION TO GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION
Help fund the costs of demonstrations and campaigning materials by making a donation at:
www.glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

CHECK www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com and www.stopwar.uk for updates

Glasgow Stop the War would like to thank the 10's of people who came to help petition 'Cut the War' - 'Bring the Troops Home from Afghanistan'
We had a tremendous response with military personel, miltary families and members of the public signing over 300 signatures in just over one hour. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition.

Download a copy here and pass it around your family, friends and workmates:
http://stopwar.org.uk/images//cut_war_petition.pdf
Download information leaflet here:
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1ZGI5NGQzYWYtNzQ3Mi00Mjg4LTllZDUtNTQyZGQyNmZkMmZj&hl=en_GB

Check back for pictures Saturday, updates and upcoming events to get the troops out of Afghanistan.

__________________________________________________

Naming of the Dead Ceremony

for the 1000's of Afghan people and 307 British soldiers

who have died in Afghanistan

Saturday 26 June

12 noon til 1pm

Argyle Street, Glasgow (outside Debenhams), G2 8AR

Another tragic landmark has been passed with the 300th British soldier do be killed in Afghanistan. They are now dying at a rate of one every two days in a war which is clearly aimless and unwinnable. David Cameron says he wants the troops to return home from Afghanistan "with heads held high". His present war policies means an increasing number will only return in a coffin or with missing limbs.

This is an opportunity now to raise the demand that the war budget should be slashed rather than public services and that all the troops should be brought home to help bring to an end thespiral of violence in Afghanistan.

FLYERS - DOWNLOAD HERE - DISTRIBUTE –https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1YTE4ZDY3ZTUtNjBiYi00YTI1LTg4MjktODIxZmU3NDMxMTJm&hl=en_GB

NEED FLYERS/POSTERS? - CALL 07869 306 483
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The maths is simple: cut the war budget, not public services
George Osborne's budget speech on 22 June announced the biggest cuts in public expenditure in over a generation. There is no alternative, he said. But there is: cut the war in Afghanistan, scrap Trident, bring the troops home. Then there will be no need to cut... welfare services or increase VAT.

Read full article at: http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1956/1/

REASONS TO BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW- http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1944/1/

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Make a donation to Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

Help fund the costs of demonstrations and campaigning materials by making a donation at:www.glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

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CHECK www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com and www.stopwar.uk for updates
FACEBOOK: Glasgow stopwarcoalition
(Please share with your friends, family and work colleagues)

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Anti-war Song of the Week
We Shall Overcome, by Roger Waters

PROTEST ON BUDGET DAY

CUT THE WAR - SCRAP TRIDENT

BRING THE TROOPS HOME

George Square, Glasgow

Tuesday June 22nd.

3.00pm onwards

Rally at 5.30pm

Speakers will include Scottish CND and Glasgow Stop the War Coaliton.

Download flyer at link below

Chancellor George Osborne has forewarned of a slash and burn attack on allpublic services in his budget, with the exception of defence expenditure, whichwill be "protected".
The Afghan War has cost £11 billion so far, and this year will waste another£4 billion (SEE http://bit.ly/a33Fdj ). Trident renewal will cost anastronomical £70 billion, more than the total amount the government wants tocut from its budget deficit in the next five years.
It is the war budget that should be slashed, rather than public services. Andall the troops should be brought home to help end the spiral of violence inAfghanistan. The United Nations reported recently that the presence of theBritish army has only worsened security in the country (SEEhttp://bit.ly/cx7cL9 ).
The government is claiming a consensus for the need for massive cutbacks to our public services. Almost no-one in public life is calling for serious cuts in the war budget - a measure that would be hugely popular. Both Stop the War and Scottish CND will be at the protest next Tuesday’s. The current annual expenditure on Afghanistan is nearly £4 billion, enough to build 200 new secondary schools. Scrapping Trident would save £70 billion, more than the total amount the government wants to cut from the deficit in the next five years. Meanwhile the approach of the 300th British military death in Afghanistan is testimony to the terrible human cost of the war.
Join us on budget day and protest as the 300th British death approaches and we demand 'Cut the war, Scrap Trident, Troops out of Afghanistan'.

Download flyers for BUDGET DAY protests here -
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1OWFjMWJmYWMtNTQzOC00MWNkLWE3YjktMmEwNjc2MThlZjQx&hl=en_GB
For a full list of other speakers & supporters from the organisers view the leaflet here: https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B8M0Z0RG-EZSMzIyZTk0Y2EtMGIxZS00YWE5LWJiZDgtMjMwOGFiYjg1N2Rk&hl=en

CANCELLING TRIDENT: THE ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT - CONSEQUENCES FOR SCOTLAND
Report Commissioned by the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Scottish Trades Union Congress https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1mSthmDMcUmuEWNUwkk8dSgiyKpxkcyp_CYeC6bhUVWY&hl=en_GB
PETITION

There is a CUT THE WAR petition calling for all troops home whichcan be downloaded from the website (HEREhttp://tinyurl.com/3aluekz)
Please download and pass around your friends, family and workplace.

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300TH BRITISH SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
Another tragic landmark has been passed with the 300th British soldier do be killed in Afghanistan. They are now dying at a rate of one every two days in awar which is clearly aimless and unwinnable.
The average age of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan is 22. Two hundred soldiers have been killed in their twenties and 31 teenagers are among thedeath toll. (SEE http://bit.ly/9vr3AE )
David Cameron says he wants the troops to return home from Afghanistan "withheads held high". His present war policies means an increasing number will onlyreturn in a coffin or with missing limbs.

On this page:
1. PROTEST AGAINST THE SDL JUNE 19TH
2. PROTEST ON BUDGET DAY – JUNE 22ND
3. AFGHAN POLICY IN TATTERS
4. MAKE A DONATION TO GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION

5. Download flyers for SDL and BUDGET DAY protests here - https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1YTA5MjA1ZjgtOTVlMS00ZmU2LWE2NDQtYWEwYjdhNWMwZDY5&hl=en_GB

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PROTEST AGAINST THE SDL - June 19
The Scottish Defence League want to protest the opening of Kilmarnock's Mosque and Muslim Education Centre. Please support this event and help send a clear message to those who would promote hatred and inequality. It is vital that we show the racist and sectarian Scottish Defence League that there are large numbers of decent people who are disgusted by their objectionable views. Glasgow Stop the War urge all of its supporters to attend and mobile others for this demonstration.
Stop the War Coalition’s statement on Islamophobia can be downloaded here: http://tinyurl.com/3x9bnbb
The march organisers want to put 1000 people on the streets of Kilmarnock to let the Scottish Defence League know that they are not welcome in our communities. Please come along, bring banners and as many people with you as possible.

Groups will assembling at 9.30 am at Kilmarnock Cross, Kilmarnock town centre to protest at the SDL’s assembly point.
Meet Central Station at 8।45am on Saturday and travel together with others to Kilmarnock.Train costs £5.85 return – Leaves at 12 minutes and 42 minutes past the hour every hour.

KILMARNOCK AND LOUDOUN UNITED MARCH AND RALLY
Download leaflet here: https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B8M0Z0RG-EZSMGUyZGYxZGUtODY3ZC00ZDY2LWFlOGYtMmU1MzRlM2RlZGY5&hl=en
Assemble 11.15 am for 11.45 am sharp
Howard Park, (McLelland Drive entrance) marching through Kilmarnock and returning to Howard Park for a Rally at approx 1.15pm
The Rally in the park will include speakers from Unite against Fascism, Hope not Hate and Show Racism the Red Card, local campaign groups, MSP’s, MP’s and individuals. There will also be music from local bands.

Download STW flyers for SDL demo here- https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1YTA5MjA1ZjgtOTVlMS00ZmU2LWE2NDQtYWEwYjdhNWMwZDY5&hl=en_GB
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PROTEST ON BUDGET DAY
CUT THE WAR, SCRAP TRIDENT, BRING THE TROOPS HOME

3.00pm - 6.00pm, George Square, Tuesday June 22nd.

The government is claiming a consensus for the need for massive cutbacks to our public services. Almost no-one in public life is calling for serious cuts in the war budget - a measure that would be hugely popular. Both Stop the War and Scottish CND will be at the protest next Tuesday’s.
The current annual expenditure on Afghanistan is nearly £4 billion, enough to build 200 new secondary schools. Scrapping Trident would save £70 billion, more than the total amount the government wants to cut from the deficit in the next five years. Meanwhile the approach of
the 300th British military death in Afghanistan is testimony to the terrible human cost of the war.
Join us on budget day and protest as the 300th British death approaches and we demand 'Cut the war, Scrap Trident, Troops out of Afghanistan'.

Download flyers for SDL and BUDGET DAY protests here - https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1YTA5MjA1ZjgtOTVlMS00ZmU2LWE2NDQtYWEwYjdhNWMwZDY5&hl=en_GB

For a full list of other speakers & supporters from the organisers view the leaflet here:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B8M0Z0RG-EZSMzIyZTk0Y2EtMGIxZS00YWE5LWJiZDgtMjMwOGFiYjg1N2Rk&hl=en
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AFGHAN POLICY IN TATTERS

The occupation of Afghanistan is in trouble on every front. 35 NATO troops have been killed there in the last week. Leaks from ex Afghan security service personnel show that president Karzai no longer has confidence in the occupation. Now General McChrystal has said the assault on Kandahar - which his staff have touted as the pivotal campaign of the war - has been postponed from June till September because of lack of support from the local population.

"When you go to protect people, the people have to want you to protect them," said McChrystal at a NATO conference in Brussels recently.

Afghan attacks against NATO however are growing. The figure of British troops killed currently stands at 298, and given the Con-Dem government's continued slavish support for US policy it is likely to grow rapidly.

FOR CONSTANT UPDATES AND INFO – WWW.STOPWAR.ORG.UK
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MAKE A DONATION TO GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION
Help fund the costs of demonstrations and campaigning materials by making a donation at:
www.glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

EDINBURGH: THOUSANDS DEMAND END TO GAZA SIEGE
By George Connelly, Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

Thousands of people took to the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday in disgust at Israel’s murder of the Gaza flotilla peace activists.
Led by an End The Siege Of Gaza banner, around 5000 demonstrators marched to the US embassy and then to First Minister Alex Salmond’s official residence, twice passing through the city’s main shopping route.
Protesters chanted “Victory to the intifada” and “In our thousands and our millions, we are all Palestinians”, drawing crowds of shoppers who stood cheering and clapping. Many people joined the protest as it passed.
Several hundred people symbolically blockaded the entrance to Israeli goods retailer Marks & Spencer, with a chant of “Boycott; sanctions; free Palestine!” ringing out.
This was soon followed by a short rally outside Salmond’s Bute House residence.
A letter was delivered demanding that the Scottish Government breaks its relationship with Israel, and pressures the UK government to stop selling weapons to the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East.
From the steps of the house, Glasgow MSP Sandra White said every local authority in Scotland must now refuse to stock any Israeli goods and end all relations with the country.
The demonstration made its way to The Mound precinct for the main rally – but not before staging a sit-down in Princes Street, blocking traffic in one direction.
People linked arms and sang: “Gaza, Gaza don’t you cry, we will never let you die.”
Leading campaigners, trade unionists and politicians made short speeches at the closing rally, co-chaired by STUC deputy secretary Dave Moxham and Scottish Friends of Palestine's Waelid Shawish.
Edinburgh postal worker Theresa McDermott, who was part of the flotilla, described the brutality of the Israeli soldiers who boarded her 25-foot motor yacht, and how hyped up they seemed.
At least 20 commandos stormed the boat of just 10 women and five men, among them a female ex-US military colonel, two Australian journalists, and five crew.
The commandos used stun guns at point-blank range. One of them fired a round straight at the face of a female aid worker.
After being arrested, “for illegally entering Israel”, the aid workers were held from 4.30am in the morning to 5pm that night without food or water, five hours of which were in a “meat wagon” in the baking heat.Theresa said all of them were harassed and intimidated by Israelis in the airport while they were about to be deported. Badly injured people were forced to walk through passport control alone, carrying their own medical drips and drainage bags.She added that the experience has made her all the more determined to fight for justice for the Palestinians.
Scottish Fire Brigades Union organiser Jim Malone called for the expulsion of Israeli Zionist trade union Histadrut from the International Federation of Trade Unions, and that a boycott of Israel is launched by workers’ organisations around the world.
“We must take the fight against Zionism into the 21st century,” he said, and pledged that his union will have nothing to do with Israel.
Representatives from the Green party and the Labour party made contributions, including Pauline McNeil MSP, convenor of Scottish Parliament cross-party group on Palestine.
Mark Lazarowicz, Theresa McDermott’s local MP, reiterated the main slogans of the day: “End the siege of Gaza, freedom for Palestine.”
Barry Levine, speaking on behalf of Scottish Jews for a Just Peace, said: “No deaths or injuries would have happened on the flotilla if Israel did not attack it. And the aid ships would not even have been needed if Israel was not enforcing an illegal blockade of Gaza.
“More Jews need to stand up and speak up for Palestine.
“More Jews need to help force Israel to end the siege of Gaza.
“Everyone must fight for justice. We need to fight to ensure the land of Palestine is a land for Jews, Christians and Muslims to return to living in peace, in the one country.”
Stop the War Coalition’s Angela McCormick told the crowd that Israel had managed to make the “unbelievable believable” with its premeditated murder of peace activists on aid ships.
To huge cheers, she said: “The Israeli embassy in London should be shut down now.
“Every Israeli diplomat and ambassador must be expelled from Scotland and from the rest of Britain now.
Referring to vague words of condemnation of “violence” from the new Tory-Lib Dem government, what our elected politicians say is not that important. It’s what they do that’s important, she said.
“We need to ask our government ministers: When will you shut down the Israeli embassy?
“When will you expel all the diplomats?
“And when will you place economic and military sanctions on Israel?”

Demonstration called and supported by Pauline McNeil MSP (convenor of Scottish Parliament cross-party group on Palestine), Sandra White MSP, Stop the War Coalition, Scottish Jews for a Just Peace, Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Glasgow Lebanese community, Scottish Afghan Society, Scottish CND, Scottish Green party, Cairde Scotland and many others.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpFcf6DfsKM and http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanbrown/sets/72157624210728154/ for images of the demo.

The Sunday Herald newspaper printed Theresa’s account of what happened to her:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/world-news/fear-pain-and-propaganda-an-activist-s-story-1.1033113
Sunday Herald report of the demo:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/thousands-take-to-streets-in-protest-over-israel-s-actions-on-gaza-aid-ships-1.1033095?localLinksEnabled=false

Other media reports:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2010/jun/07/edinburgh-protest-party-cramond
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/10246953.stm
Freed Gaza activists arrive back in Scotland:
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/tayside/181300-gaza-flotilla-prisoner-to-return-home-to-dundee/
Scots protest over Palestinian aid convoy killingshttp://news.stv.tv/scotland/180523-fears-for-scots-onboard-palestinian-aid-convoy/

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LONDON: 20,000 PROTEST ON 5 JUNE AGAINST ISRAEL'S GAZA FLOTILLA ATROCITY
Speeches at Gaza Flotilla demonstration: 5 June 2010

On 5 June 2010, 20,000 protestors marched to the Israeli Embassy in London to protest against Israel's attack on a peaceful flotilla bringing aid to Gaza, shich left nine humanitarian activists dead. Speakers at the demonstration rally included George Galloway, film maker Ken Loach, flotilla survivors Sarah Colborne and Kevin Ovenden, Salma Jaqoob and Caroline Lucas MP. The videos below of speeches at the rally were filmed by Fourman Films. full coverage here www.stopwar.org.uk
Speeches at Gaza Flotilla demonstration, London: 5 June 2010 View here: http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1927/27/

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‘Thistles in the Middle East’

6 pm on June 10th 2010

Glasgow Caledonian University

Space is limited! Register here for your free ticket - http://thistles.eventbrite.com/
Book your free place now for Thistles in the Middle East, a fascinating account of how a 6000km cycle journey from Ireland to Gaza by the Pathways to Palestine team raised awareness and funds for medical shortages in Gaza. The students who completed the epic journey – cycling over 100 miles a day for 42 days – recently gave a short and highly engaging presentation on their journey at the Scottish Parliament and received a fantastic reception. This is a great opportunity to hear and see more about their journey – an event not to be missed! The free event is being sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University The charity social will be held in the Deeprose Theatre at GCU's city centre campus on Thursday 10th June with further speakers and a short film premier of the epic trip, followed by a drinks reception and photo exhibition of the cyclists’ photos. Photographs will be available to purchase and all proceeds will go to educational scholarships in the Gaza Strip.
Wine and canapés will be served after the event in the Garden Café. To register for free, go here

FULL INFO AT: http://pathwaystopalestine.com/

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CONFERENCE ON ISLAMOPHOBIA: REPORT The conference entitled 'Stop Islamophobia: defend the Muslim Community' also took place on 5 June in London, on the morning of the Gaza flotilla demonstration। Despite having to be curtailed to enable people to attend the Gaza protest, over 300 attended, including a large number of Muslims, to hear a range of speakers from trade unions, campaign groups, Muslim organisations and the media, who while examining Islamophobia from different perspectives, were all united in wanting to campaign against it. The final session was chaired by Shamiul Joarder, from Friends of al Aqsa, who made a number of proposals for campaigning nationally and locally and for the setting up of an all-party parliamentary group against Islamophobia, more details to follow when we have them. A statement on Islamophobia was adopted by the conference, and can be downloaded here:
http://tinyurl.com/3x9bnbb Video of speeches at the conference will be available on the Stop the War website soon।


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MAKE A DONATION TO GLASGOW STOP THE WAR COALITION
Help fund the costs of demonstrations and campaigning materials by making a donation at:
www.glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk

END THE SIEGE OF GAZA

FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE

ALL SCOTLAND DEMONSTRATION

SATURDAY 5 JUNE
ASSEMBLE 2.00PM - THE MOUND, EDINBURGH

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Please read & forward this information to networks, post it up on websites, get your trade union or group to email it to other members, join the facebook group and invite others to do the same, text 07869 306 483 for a text that you can forward to others – lets spread the word and make this demonstration massive.


1 - ALL SCOTLAND DEMONSTRATION - END THE SIEGE OF GAZA - END ISRAELI TERROR
2 - THE INITIAL RESPONSE - DEMONSTRATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY

3 - FIRST EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF ISRAEL'S FLOTILLA ATROCITIES
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1 ALL SCOTLAND DEMONSTRATION - END THE SIEGE OF GAZA - END ISRAELI TERROR

LEAFLETS NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AT:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1Njk3OWUxNTMtY2M1ZS00OTRjLTliNjMtMDI2OTIzYzNlNjcz&hl=en_GB

A3 POSTER NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AT:
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_O63Qbxuwh1NTM5NjViZDAtOWM2NS00ZGRjLTgyNzEtNjM4NTAzMzViMTRj&hl=en_GB

GLASGOW - EDINBURGH - GLASGOW bus tickets and donations at: http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/

IF YOU CAN HELP LEAFLET - POSTER FOR THIS PROTEST CALL 07869 306 483

The killing of at least 19 people and the injuring of many more on board the flotilla taking aid to Gaza is the latest in a series of crimes which should see Israel condemned under international law. The 600 protesters were on a peaceful mission and unarmed.Israel has repeatedly flouted law and public opinion worldwide in its treatment of the Palestinians. Its bombing of Gaza in 2009 and its continued blockade has caused outrage round the world. The flotilla was an attempt to bring aid to the blockaded population of Gaza. It was supported by many organisations and individuals internationally.The decision by Israel to attack the flotilla with such loss of human life shows its arrogant and deadly intent in opposing any aid to the Palestinians.The British and EU governments should immediately condemn this act of terror and break all links with Israel.

BUSES LEAVE GEORGE SQUARE - 12 NOON - 5 JUNE 2010
GLASGOW BUS TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/

Tickets are priced at £5.00 for the return journey
Free tickets are available online for refugees, asylum seekers and those of no or very low income.

MAP TO ASSEMBLY POINT:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=THE+MOUND+EDINBURGH&ie=UTF8&hq&hnear=The+Mound%2C+Edinburgh%2C+United+Kingdom&ll=55.950786%2C-3.196228&spn=0.009864%2C0.02223&z=16

DEMONSTRATION CALLED AND SUPPORTED BY: Pauline McNeil MSP (Convenor of Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Palestine), Sandra White MSP, Stop the War Coalition, Scottish Jews for a Just Peace, Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Glasgow Lebanese Community, Scottish Afghan Society,Scottish CND, Scottish Green पार्टी, Cairde स्कॉट्लैंड

and many others to be confirmed.

If your organisation would like to support this protest please email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com
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BUILDING THE DEMONSTRATION

We want to maximise the turn out on Saturday in Edinburgh to send a clear message to the government that we want action taken now against Israel for this horrific atrocity.

We have leaflets and posters now available for you to use.

Email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com and we’ll send them over or can deliver bulk leaflets to you.

Why not get a few friends together and leaflet your local street, train station or any other busy place.

If you are free anytime morning to night Thursday or Friday then please get in touch and we can link you up with other activists who also wish to poster/leaflet.

We will be leafleting Glasgow Central Station & Queens St Station on Thursday 4.30pm – 6.00pm.

Please call 07869 306 483 if you are free anytime on Friday and we will have activities for you to get involved with. We are especially looking for volunteers to leaflet every mosque in Glasgow – 2 pm – Friday 4 June.
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2 THE INITIAL RESPONSE - DEMONSTRATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY

Demonstrations took place around the country last night against the Israeli massacre. They include:
Manchester: up to 2,000 marched to the BBC offices to demand proper coverage of the killings by the Israelis and the pro-Palestinian cause.
Protesters tried to enter the BBC but police forced them back. However, a protester did mange to fly the Palestinian flag from the BBC mast. Fighting broke out when police later tried to seize the flag-flier. They failed, but grabbed someone else. Police used dogs later against the crowd.
Birmingham: around 500 protested.
Preston: over 200 demonstrated.
Brighton: around 200 people protested
Edinburgh: Up to 400 marched
Glasgow: Around 500 protested.
- Protest pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanbrown/sets/72157624176520232/
- Four part video of speakers and demonstration in Glasgow George Square - http://www.youtube.com/deryckdemainebeaumon?gl=GB&user=deryckdemainebeaumon#p/u/3/t-czZWEoFFk
Dundee: Around 250 protested.

Video from dundee - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2W-dpDz9Y4
York: Around 150 protested.
Bolton: Over 200 protested
Portsmouth: around 70 people protested
Aberdeen: Around 40 protested

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3 - FIRST EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF ISRAEL'S FLOTILLA ATROCITIES

Watch this video and know why, if you can, you'll join the national demonstration in Edinburgh on Saturday 5 June and encourage everyone you know to be there too.

Some of the first accounts emerged Tuesday from eyewitnesses who were aboard several boats stormed by Israeli forces as they approached Gaza the day before.
Hanin Zoabi, a member of the Israeli parliament, was on board the Miva Marmara, the ship that was the scene of a confrontation between activists and Israeli soldiers. That clash left at least nine people dead.
LISTEN TO THE ACCOUNT HERE AND READ THE FULL STORY…. http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1914/1/

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Full updates and reports, pictures and videos at http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

Share this info on your Facebook, Bebo, Etc. – The online version of this email can be viewed at http://www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com/

ISRAELIS KILL 10 STORMING GAZA FLOTILLA EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION

ISRAELIS KILL 10 STORMING GAZA FLOTILLA EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION

TODAY -MONDAY 31 MAY 5.00PM – GLASGOW - GEORGE SQUARE.

Called by: Pauline McNeil MSP, Convenor of Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Palestine; Sandra White MSP; Scottish Jews for a Just Peace, Stop the War Coalition, Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and others.

SPREAD THE WORD

Yet another act of Israeli barbarism as its forces storm one of the seven shipson the international flotilla taking aid to Gaza, where Israel's illegal seigeis starving Palestinians of essential resources. At least ten activists onboard have been killed by Israeli forces. Please join the emergency demonstration today if you can. Publicise it aswidely as possible. See video of Israeli assault from Turkish televison: http://bit.ly/aKExFf

For updates see: http://bit.ly/bg5gIu CONTACT FOREIGN SECRETARY WILLIAM HAGUE & YOUR MP PROTEST TO FOREIGN SECRETARY WILLIAM HAGUE: EMAIL: msu.correspondence@fco.gov.uk AND/OR private.office@fco.gov.uk AND MSU.PublicIn@fco.gov.uk

LETTER TO: William Hague MP, Foreign Secretary, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH CONTACT YOUR MP: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk Ask him/her to contact Hague on your behalf

CONTACT DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NICK CLEGG EMAIL: cleggn@parliament.ukLETTER TO: Nick Clegg MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA


Gaza aid flotilla attacked - George Galloway responds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUBcoB-oy6U

PROTEST TODAY after at least ten killed as Israel attacks Gaza aid convoy
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=21370

Don't let the EDL divide our communities!

Don't let the EDL divide our communities!

The EDL have targeted Muslims and mosques, whipping up hatred, division and violence where they have been allowed to march. EDL supporters stabbed a man in the evening after the EDL demonstration in Bolton in March. EDL supporters ran riot in Stoke-on-Trent earlier this year, smashing shops and cars, and attacking local Asian people and police.

EDL supporters have paraded their violence on You Tube and have been caught on camera giving Nazi salutes during their rallies and marches.

DEMONSTRATE - NEWCASTLE - Saturday 29 May

Assemble 12 noon at Barrack Road by St James Park. More details at http://www.uaf.org.uk/

We would urge all our supporters to support this demonstration and attend if you can. To get a seat on the Glasgow bus to Newcastle (8.30am George Square, Glasgow) for the demonstration - email uafscotland@gmail.com or call 07920 403 766.

Stop Islamophobia: Defend the Muslim Community

One Day Conference Saturday 5 June 10am to 5pmCamden Centre London WC1H 9JE

Speakers include:
Daud Abdullah Muslim Council of Britain • Tony Benn president Stop the War Coalition • Mohammed Ali Islam Channel • Anas Al-Tikriti British Muslim Initiative • Moazzam Begg former Guantanamo Bay prisoner • Lindsey German convenor Stop the War Coalition • Muhammad Habibur-Rahman vice-president Islamic Forum of Europe • Kate Hudson CND • Imran Khan solicitor • Dr Robert Lambert former head of Scotland Yard’s Muslim Contact Unit • Jeremy Corbyn MP • Nina Franklin vice president NUT • Seumas Milne journalist • Peter Oborne journalist • Salma Yaqoob Respect Party

REGISTER HERE - http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1860/1
OR CALL 020 7801 2768

Muslims are under attack in this country as never before. Government policies and the media have created an atmosphere in which all Muslims are portrayed as reactionary and anti-western.

Young Muslims in particular are subject to surveillance in colleges, schools and mosques in the name of combating "extremism". Those who exercise their right to demonstrate peacefully have been subject to arrest and heavy sentencing.
Meanwhile, the racist "defence leagues" have been focussing their attacks on Muslim communities, with provocative marches in towns and cities inciting racial hatred and bigotry.

From its founding in 2001, Stop the War has been committed to combating racism. We recognise that Islamophobia is a direct consequence of the "war on terror". We believe it is vital that the anti-war movement acts in conjunction with other campaigns and organisations to stem its tide.

The Stop Islamophobia: Defend the Muslim Community conference on Saturday 5 June, organised by Stop the War and the British Muslim Initiative, will bring together a wide range of opinion united in concern over the escalating demonisation of Muslims in our society.
Organised by Stop the War Coalition and British Muslim Initiative

Supported by CND, Cordoba Foundation, Federation of Student Islamic Societies, Islam Channel, Islamic Forum of Europe, Islamophobia Watch, London Muslim Centre, Muslim Welfare House, National Union of Journalists, North London Central Mosque, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Unite

Articles, Pictures & Anti-war Song of the Week

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding by Elvis Costello - http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1886/186/

Pictures from tbe ‘Refusing to serve the occupation! Public meeting with Or Ben‐David—one of the Shministim. - http://www.shministim.com/

This is what "democracy" looks like: Brian Haw arrested http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1893/1/

US cost of 9 years war in Iraq & Afghanistan reaches $1 trillion http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1897/27/

Gaza aid flotilla to set sail for confrontation with Israel
http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1896/27/
and updates from http://gazafreedommarch.org/cms/en/home.aspx

Palestine Solidarity Campaign have organised a petition against the UK-Israel arms trade and a ride on (mainly) vintage Royal Enfield bikes to deliver it. Please sign the petition and support this initative.
The details of the ride and links to the petition are at: http://rideforpalestine.blogspot.com/

Rebuilding Gaza - Saturday the 1st May-Scottish Action for Gaza

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) Rebuilding Gaza - FUNDRAISER - Saturday the 1st May-Scottish Action for Gaza

2) Children of Gaza - FILM - watch it online

Rebuilding Gaza
Saturday the 1st May-Scottish Action for Gaza

Garage, G2 Sauchiehall Street, Doors open 7pm ,
Tickets £5.00

2 great Glasgow bands, and some supporting speeches Redshift -8pm – covering Kings of Leon- Cold Play – Kaiser Chiefs Red Scot Chile Peppers -9pm Raffle -10.15pm

The Project- “Homes for Gaza”:A pilot project to rebuild 10 homes in the poorest parts of Gaza.Following a successful delivery of medical aid last year (under the name "Scottish Medical Aid for Gaza") the group is now investigating how it can help Gaza rebuild. The people of Gaza themselves have found a way to rebuild in spite of Israel and Egypt’s restrictions on building materials. The rubble from destroyed buildings is ground up, and mixed with a very little cement is reconstituted into building blocks!Scottish Action for Gaza will send a delegation to Gaza soon, to lay the groundwork for a pilot project to rebuild 10 homes. This will requires substantial funding - around £200,000. If successful, the group will apply for major funding from international donors for a significant number of houses, in districts where the poorest people live and the worst destruction occurred.

Contact :pauline.mcneillmsp@scottish.parliament.uk on 01415897120Carrah Nimmo on carra.nimmo@scottish.parliament.uk

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Children of Gaza
Directed by Jezza Neumann

In January 2009 over 1300 Palestinians were killed in Gaza. Around 300 of them children. When the ceasefire was declared, film-maker Jezza Neumann arrived to follow the lives of four children over the course of a year. Through their eyes, and in their words, Children of Gaza gives us a unique insight into the impact of war on vulnerable young minds. Despite the horrors they witnessed, Amal 9, Mahmoud & Omsyatte 12, and Ibraheem 11 still have hope and humour whilst living in the ruins of the Gaza Strip. Increasingly isolated by a blockade that prevents anyone from rebuilding their homes and their lives, Children of Gaza is a shocking, touching and uniquely intimate reflection on extraordinary courage in the face of great adversity.

WATCH THE FILM HERE: http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1810/268/

Please cut and paste the following link to your facebook, twitter etc. http://www.glasgowstopwar.blogspot.com/ and spread the word.

They all agree on one thing: don't mention the war

STOP THE WAR COALITION
Email glasgowstopwar@gmail.com
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) STEPPING UP STOP THE WAR'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN
2) NATIONAL TOUR – GLASGOW MEETING: WHY THE TROOPS SHOULD BE OUT OF AFGHANISTAN
3) ASTOUNDING RESPONSE TO ELECTION SURVEY
4) SPECIAL ELECTION RESOURCES
5) CRUEL PRISON TREATMENT OF SOLDIER JOE GLENTON
6) IT'S OFFICIAL: THROWING SHOES AS A PROTEST IS ALLOWED
7) WATCHING THIS VIDEO ANGER CALCIFIES THE HEART - Wikileaks

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1) STEPPING UP STOP THE WAR'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Hardly any of the politicians vying for our votes in this
election have mentioned the war in Afghanistan, even as the
country sinks further into a quagmire of destruction and
wasted lives, with the rate of British soldiers being killed
double what it was a year ago.

We are stepping up our campaign to raise the profile of the
war as an election issue and to get the candidates to state
their views publicly on Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and other
anti-war issues, which many people will want to know when
deciding how to cast their vote.

Stop the War now has available a range of election special
resources (see below). Our Cost of War briefing card has
proved so popular that it sold out within a few days and is
now being reprinted.

They all agree on one thing: don't mention the war http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1817/1/


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2) GLASGOW PUBLIC MEETING:
WHY THE TROOPS SHOULD BE OUT OF AFGHANISTAN?

WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL, 7.30 PM
STUC, 333 WOODLANDS ROAD, GLASGOW

Participants include:

Jane Shallice, UK Stop the War Coalition
Joan Humphreys, whose grandson whose grandson Kevin Elliott, a 24-year-old Black Watch private, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009, speaks from Military Families Against War
Mohammed Asif, Scottish Afghan Society

Candidates from all parties standing in the forthcoming election will be invited to participate from the audience.

HELP FUND THE COSTS OF THIS MEETING AND GENERAL ELECTION MATERIALS BY MAKING A DONATION AT http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/
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3) ASTOUNDING RESPONSE TO ELECTION SURVEY

In just a few days, we have had an astounding response to our
Election Candidates Survey. Close to 4000 emails to candidates
have been sent already, asking where they stand on
Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and other anti-war issues.

This is a reflection of the anger many voters must feel seeing
all the main parties ignore what should be a key issue in the
election.

If you haven't sent a message to your local candidates yet,
requesting they tell you what their view is of this country's
current war policies, we urge you to do so now. It takes just
1-2 minutes here: http://bit.ly/8X35fk

The more people pressure candidates, the more they will feel
they have to respond. Please forward the link to or Candidates
Survey to everyone you know and encourage them to send their
message.

As we get the responses from candidates, they will be
publicised on the Stop the War website, and we will name and
shame those who have remained silent.

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4) SPECIAL ELECTION RESOURCES

Stop the War has produced a range of election special
resources for our campaign to force the war in Afghanistan
onto the election agenda. These are all available from the
national office: Tel: 020 7801 2768

* AFGHANISTAN: THE COST OF WAR This briefing card has proved
so popular that it sold out within days. It is now being
reprinted.

* PETITION: DON'T THEY KNOW THERE'S A WAR ON - BRING THE
TROOPS HOME A petition for downloading to print and collect
signatures in your work, school, college, community etc.
Download here:

* AFGHANISTAN: 10 REASONS WHY THE TROOPS SHOULD COME HOME
A new pamphlet written by Steve Bell with a preface by Paul
Flynn MP. £2.50 incl p&p. BUY ONLINE: http://bit.ly/bGJTi3

* STOP THE WAR'S PRINTED NEWSLETTER We produce a by-monthly
printed edition newsletter, the latest issue of which is an
election special (50p. Reduced rate for 5 or more copies). If
you've not seen the printed newsletter before, back issues are
available here: http://bit.ly/c4r9Ot

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5) CRUEL PRISON TREATMENT OF SOLDIER JOE GLENTON
.
Joe Glenton, the British soldier who refused to return to
fight in Afghanistan because he believed the war to be
unjustified and unwinnable, is receiving cruel treatment at
the hands of military prison staff, following his court
martial and sentence to nine months imprisonment.

The prison authorities are trying to force him to sleep under
an unwashed or dirty blanket - a punishment that often leads
prisoners to get body lice - and to wear boots despite the
fact he has broken his toe. This follows a disciplinary
hearing following what his legal team say is the trumped up
claim that Joe insulted an officer.

Please send complaints about the way Joe is being treated in
prison to: mctcwelfare@hotmail.com.

To send Joe a message of support and for background and
updates on his case, go to: http://bit.ly/dgLAck

Joe's legal team is lodging an appeal against his jail
sentence, at which Stop the War will be organising a protest
calling for his immediate release.

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6) IT'S OFFICIAL: THROWING SHOES AS A PROTEST IS ALLOWED

Seventy protestors face imprisonment for their involvement in
the demonstrations in January 2009 against Israel's onslaught
on Gaza, but one after another the cases are falling apart.

In the latest, Student Aquib Salim, 21, was likely to face
prison for throwing a shoe at the Israeli Embassy but, as the
Sunday Times reported (see http://bit.ly/b6b2h0 ), not now it
has been revealed that the Metropolitan Police had said
previously that throwing shoes as a sign of protest was
permitted.

For background and updates to the Gaza Protestors Defence
Campaign, see: http://bit.ly/d1FqIA

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7) WATCHING THIS VIDEO ANGER CALCIFIES THE HEART

The video released by Wikileaks showing airmen in US
helicopters slaughtering Iraqi civilians with unrestrained
glee, is shocking enough in itself, but it is only unique in
the footage we can now watch and hear which makes the atrocity
irrefutable, unlike the countless occasions when Iraqis -- and
Afghans -- have reported equivalent atrocities and were
ignored.

See the video and the comments of Haifa Zangana, Iraqi
novelist and former prisoner under Saddam Hussein, who tells
how watching it made anger calcify in her heart:
http://bit.ly/9iUnkT

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LOBBY YOUR ELECTION CANDIDATES HERE: http://bit.ly/8X35fk

Demonstrate Against the English Defence League – March 20 2010

Glasgow Stop the War Coalition newsletter……

1. Demonstrate Against the English Defence League – March 20
2. Film Screening & Discussion, March 25
3. A message of thanks from Joe Glenton's family
4. Help fund the activities of Glasgow Stop the War Coalition



1 Demonstrate Against the English Defence League

Stop the War Coalition is supporting the call by MPs, trade union leaders, Unite Against Fascism and many other organisations for a demonstration in Bolton on Saturday 20 March against a march by the racist English Defence League, which aims to spread fear and terror within Muslim communities.
Demonstrate Against the English Defence LeagueSaturday 20 March 2010 Assemble 9.00am Victoria Square, Bolton
More details……… http://www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=100306
Coaches travelling to the demonstration from across the country... http://www.uaf.org.uk/resources/1003boltoncoachlist.pdf

CALL 07920 403 766 TO BOOK YOUR SEAT ON THE GLASGOW COACH, LEAVES 6.30AM, GEORGE SQUARE, GLASGOW.

Statement of support by MPs, trade union leaders and many others:
We the undersigned completely oppose plans by the English Defence League to hold an anti-Muslim protest in Bolton on Saturday 20 March.
The EDL is a group of racists and football hooligans with close links to the fascist British National Party. When the EDL came to Manchester in October, Muslim graves in the area were desecrated. When the EDL came to Stoke-on-Trent in January, the words "Islam scum" and "EDL" were daubed on a local mosque.
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, as the Nazis did with the Jews in the 1930s.
Today they threaten mosques, tomorrow it could be a synagogue, temple or church. Today they threaten Muslims, tomorrow it could be Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, black, Asian or Eastern European people, travellers or lesbian, gay and transgender people.
We have beaten fascists and racists before by standing up in unity against them. We cannot stand by and let these racists attack any section of our community.
Let's gather in such large numbers that we make it clear to these fascist and racist thugs that they are not welcome here. Let's protest against the racists and fascists, oppose their politics of hatred and defend Bolton’s diverse and united community.
We call on everyone to support and attend the protest against the EDL in Bolton on Saturday 20 March.

Signatories include: Ruth Kelly MP, John Leech MP, Sir Gerald Kaufman MP, Tony Lloyd MP, Margaret Hodge MP, Dawn Butler MP, Beverley Hughes MP, David Chaytor MP, Graham Stringer MP, Ken Livingstone, Christine Blower (NUT), Billy Hayes (CWU), Hugh Lanning (PCS)


2 FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

End detention without trial
No impunity for torturers
Troops Out of Afghanistan
Close Guantanamo Now

Thursday 25 March 2010

Outside the Law: Stories from Guantanamo

7.30 pm (doors open 7pm), Adelaides, 209 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HZ

Organised by SACC, supported by Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

Admission free - all welcome

Screening of the documentary Outside the Law - Stories from Guantánamo, followed by a discussion with Omar Deghayes (former Guantánamo prisoner), Andy Worthington (co-director of the film, with Polly Nash) and Aamer Anwar (human rights lawyer). Chaired by Nicola Fisher (chair, Glasgow Stop the War Coalition).



3 A message of thanks from Joe Glenton's family
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton has been court martialled and sentenced to nine months imprisonment for refusing to fight in Afghanistan. His wife Clare Glenton and mother Sue Glenton have sent this message of thanks:
Dear All,
A note to say how grateful we are for your wonderful messages of support for Joe. He is in Colchester Military prison and would appreciate further cards, letters etc. The appeal against his sentence has gone in and we are hoping for an early release. He is well and defiant, and is supported by the thousands of people who have contacted us.
Thanks again,
Clare and Sue Glenton

Messages of support to:
Lance Corporal Joe GlentonMilitary Corrective Training Centre, Berechurch Hall Camp Colchester CO2 9NU, UKEmail: defendjoeglenton@gmail.com

Sign the petition to Gordon Brown calling for Joe Glenton's release - http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/freeobjectors/


4 Help fund the activities of Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

Continue to check out http://www.stopwar.org.uk/ for campaign updates.

Please help fund the activities of Glasgow Stop the War Coalition by donating online at http://glasgowstopwar.express.iristickets.co.uk/