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/