Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

2012-02-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

PUBLIC MEETING

................ the war on terror continues

Maya Evans is a peace activist who has returned from visiting Afghanistan with Voices for Creative Nonviolence (www.vcnv.org).

She met with Afghan human rights activists and refugees and people affected by NATO night raids and drone strikes.

Afghanistan blog at http://fromhastingstokabul.wordpress.com/.

Maya will be joined by a speaker from Stop the War Coalition

Come hear her first hand account of the situation in Afghanistan.

The driv

e for an attac

k on Iran is gaining ground rapidly in government and military circles in Israel, the USA, Britain and France.

View our '10 REASONS NOT TO ATTACK IRAN' FLYER HERE:

http://alturl.com/wenrh

Get in touch if you can help out on stalls/to promote activities:
glasgowstopwar@gmail.com

DONATE TO OUR DON'T ATTACK IRAN APPEAL HERE

https://express.iristickets.co.uk/k?glasgowstopwar

2011-11-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

23 November: 5 – 7.00pm

Buchanan Street / Gordon Street (outside old Borders Bookshop)

facebook event

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=239867926077856

Stand in solidarity with the struggle of hundreds of thousands of people in Egypt for democracy. The death toll is rising as people demand the fall of an unaccountable military.

Called by the Egyptian community in Scotland and Glasgow Stop the War Coalition.

from Tahrir Square, "The world is on fire here tonight. The police have been killing people and parts of Tahrir Square are in flames. There were around 100,000 people in the square this afternoon, and tens of thousands protesting in Alexandria, Suez, Aswan, Damietta and other cities across Egypt. People were killed today in Tahrir, and certainly there are more across Egypt now, and there are a thousand injured. We are drowning in tear gas. It burns the skin and the police have been shooting the tear gas canisters straight at people's faces. They are using rubber bullets and many people have lost their sight. And they are attacking us with water cannon. A few hours ago it looked as if there would be a bloodbath, but then the police suddenly withdrew from the square.

2011-10-11T05:47:00.000-07:00

2011-09-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.antiwarassembly.org/

JOIN THE MASS ANTI-WAR ASSEMBLY

8 OCTOBER 2011

The true cost of the war in Afghanistan

WATCH THE VIDEO

http://www.antiwarassembly.org/

BOOK YOU BUS SEAT NOW

https://express.iristickets.co.uk/k?glasgowstopwar

Transport from Scotland will travel down

DEPART

GLASGOW - FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 12 MIDNIGHT

RETURN

LONDON - SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER EVENING

OR MAKE A DONATION

https://express.iristickets.co.uk/k?glasgowstopwar

OR EMAIL GLASGOWSTOPWAR@GMAIL.COM

2011-06-21T05:29:00.000-07:00

2011-06-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Recently a Stop the War Coalition delegation from accross Scotland

went to Egypt to attend the Cairo Conference.

Come listen to their accounts in words and pictures

Cairo to Glasgow

Saturday 18 June

2:00pm

STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

Followed by:

Stop the War Coalition

Scotland

Steering Group Meeting

OPEN TO ALL - BRING YOUR IDEAS

Agenda to include:

National Demo in support of Arab Revolutions
National 1 Day conference on the Arab Revolutions
Afghanistan - 10 years of war & occupation event
Local reports
Fundraising and Finance
Any other business

2011-05-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

Download printable flyer here

2xA5

http://alturl.com/aq4ki

Solidarity

with the

People of Syria

Sunday 29 May

George Sq, 2.00pm

Download printable flyer here

2xA5

http://alturl.com/aq4ki

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=203904666313726

Facebook 'like page'

Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

Friend on Facebook

Glasgow Stopwarcoalition

2011-05-17T03:38:00.000-07:00

A delegation from Glasgow Stop the War Coalition will travel to Cairo, Egypt to take part in the Cairo Conference.

Report back meeting will be held on their return

Please consider making a donation to help fund the delegation.

Click here and donate online

https://express.iristickets.co.uk/k?glasgowstopwar

The conference will discuss a number of key issues including: dilemmas and achievements of the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions, the future and contradictions of the current wave of Arab revolutions, the relation between the Arab revolution and imperialism and Zionism, Arab revolutions in the general framework of democratic struggles historically and internationally, Arab revolution and the struggle against neo-liberalism and capitalist globalization.

Why should you support our delegation

Caroline Lucas MP

This is a vital moment in the development of the Arab Spring. Our solidarity with those fighting for freedom is more important than ever. This the first international solidarity conference that has taken place and it is happening in the heart of the Arab revolution. I urge all who can be there to attend this important conference.

Jeremy Corbyn MP

Uprisings across the whole region show a thirst for accountable Government and real independence. The West think they can co-opt the process and at the same time protect the oligarchies in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and continue to allow Israel to continue its illegal occupation of the West Bank.The Cairo Conference gives a huge opportunity for the voices of unity and determination to achieve liberation.

Please consider making a donation to help fund the delegation.

Click here and donate online

https://express.iristickets.co.uk/k?glasgowstopwar

2011-05-11T05:33:00.000-07:00

End the Siege on Gaza

Free Palestine

Join us to commemorate the Nakba and to demand

the government act to end the siege on Gaza.

Sunday 12 May 2011

2.30pm

George Square, Glasgow

Download flyer here: coming soon

In response to the call of the Palestinian people for a popular uprising on May 15th, we will gather in George Square on the same day, to demand that the Israeli ambassador is expelled from the UK, in light of Israel's continued disregard for international law.

Supported by Glasgow University Palestine Society, Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scottish Palestine Forum and Glasgow Stop the War Coalition, Glasgow Human Rights Campaign.

Please invite all your friends to this event. Stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and send the message that our government does not represent us and that we fully support them in their struggle for freedom.

2011-04-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

2xA5 flyer

http://alturl.com/miayu

2011-03-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

If you would like to attend the march on Saturday 26 March there still are FREE bus places available traveling from Glasgow at 11pm tonight (friday) and returning from london on saturday evening at around 7pm back to glasgow. Please Call 07791608578

CUT WARFARE NOT WELFARE

ANTI-WAR / PEACE CONTINGENT

STOP THE WAR, CND & BMI

ON THETUC ANTI-CUTS DEMONSTRATION

SATURDAY 26 MARCH:

ASSEMBLE 11AMHMS PRESIDENT, VICTORIA EMBANKMENT

(Near Blackfriars Bridge. MAP HERE: http://bit.ly/e0NFYr)

The TUC anti-cuts march on 26 March could be the largest inBritain since the two million strong Stop the War march againstthe Iraq war in 2003.Stop the War, CND and BMI will have a combined anti-war / peacecontingent on the march. Our slogans will be Cut warfare NotWelfare and Scrap Trident and we will be calling for thewithdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and an end to theintervention in Libya.We will also be highlighting the cost of wars in Afghanistan andLibya in the context of draconian cuts in public services. Wecalculate that, if you combine the spending over the next fouryears on the Afghanistan war with the cost of maintaining theTrident missile system, you get a total of £30 billion -- whichis one third of the total cuts the government is making in publicservices (for more details on the cost of war, including Libya,go to: http://bit.ly/h7Brvc )

The anti-war / peace contingent meets at Embankment by HMSPresident (near Blackfriars bridge) at 11 am. Please join us ifyou can and bring your banners.

2011-03-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

EMERGENCY PROTEST

HANDS OFF LIBYA: GADAFFI MUST GO
NO WESTERN INTERVENTION
STOP THE BOMBING NOW

TUESDAY 22 MARCH 5.30PM

GEORGE SQUARE, GLASGOW

Britain and the USA have bombed Libya with more than one hundred Tomahawkcruise missiles. These are not precision guided weapons but weapons of massdestruction that will create many civilian casualties in Libya. The United Nations resolution authorising a no-fly zone begins as it willcontinue, with a full-scale military attack on the country.

Stop the War condemns this barbarous attack which will result, not inprotecting the people of Libya, but in enslaving them under the domination ofthe West. We know only too well the death and destruction that imperialism hasbrought to the peoples of the region.

A leaflet putting the case for non-intervention and a petition, initiated byTony Benn, John Pilger and others, are both available to download for printing,here:

LEAFLET: http://tinyurl.com/6henp2l

PETITION: http://tinyurl.com/6z9lk2x

George Galloway on Wests Libya Intervention: http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2309/1/

10 Reasons to say no to western intervention in Libya
By Andrew Murray, National Chair, Stop the War Coalition, 14 March 2011

http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2299/27/

2011-02-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

Annual Conference

Leaflet side one

http://alturl.com/6k6km

Leaflet side two

http://alturl.com/goiky

March for an Alternative

to war

Lets bring the spirit of the

Middle East to London

on March 26 2011

The TUC is organising a national march and rally on 26 March 2011, in Central London in response to the government’s programme of fast and deep public spending cuts. The STUC and numerous trade unions are organising free transport to enable you to attend the demonstration.

We say cut the war and fund our services - Join us.
BOOK TRANSPORT NOW
Email: glasgowstopwar@gmail.com if you would like a seat on the bus.

We will collect the names & contact details of those wishing to go and help arrange transport.
--------------------------------------------------------

Stop the War Coalition

statement on

Middle East revolutions

There must be no US or British intervention in Libya: the future of Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen must be determined by the people of those countries alone.
The uprisings sweeping the Middle East deserve the support of all progressive people. They are directed against autocracies which have denied their people basic rights and the possibility of a decent life.
These autocracies have also, for the most part, depended on the self-interested support of the big powers, the USA and Britain first of all. Western governments have prioritised cheap oil, arms sales and support for Israel’s oppression of the Palestinians above the rights of the Arab peoples.
The response of the British government to the events of the last month exemplifies this hypocrisy. David Cameron has prioritised arms sales to the region. And the clamour to intervene in Libya has more to do with control of that country’s oil resources than with support for Libya’s people.
The Conservative-Liberal Coalition has followed Tony Blair’s lead in seeing the Middle East entirely through the prism of the interests of BP and British Aerospace. Any British intervention in the region would be directed to furthering those interests, not the freedom or democracy which can only present a challenge to western domination of the region.
Stop the War Coalition is clear that there must be no US or British intervention in Libya or anywhere else in the Middle East under any pretext whatsoever. Such interference over the last century is the root of the region’s troubles, and its continuation will solve none of the difficulties there.
The future of Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen and all the other states facing popular uprisings must be determined by the people of those countries alone. Solidarity with those fighting for their democratic and national freedom is our obligation.
We can best discharge it by demanding that the government at long last takes its hands off the Middle East and its people, leaving them to settle accounts with their own rulers.

2011-02-23T17:13:00.000-08:00

Saturday 26 February 2011

George Square

ASSEMBLE: 1:00pm

MARCH OFF: 1.30pm

DOWNLOAD PUBLICITY

Flyer: A4 (2xA5) http://alturl.com/q9ff2

Poster: A3 http://alturl.com/vy25y

Jpeg: A5 http://alturl.com/g9ei2

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=145316145532375&index=1

2011-02-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 22 February 2011

George Square, Glasgow

5.30pm - 7.00pm

A4 FLYER: http://alturl.com/hg2z8

A3 POSTER: http://alturl.com/znx9r

Movement for democracy spreads across Middle East region
Inspired by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, uprisings for democracy hasve spread across the region.

• LIBYA: At least 200 dead and over 1000 wounded...
• BAHRAIN: Thousands of democracy protesters retake protest centre from the police and military...
• YEMEN 1000s of Yemeni protesters clash with riot police across the country... • MOROCCO: Thousands demonstrate in Morocco for democracy and against corruption...

• ALGERIA: Algerian protesters marching for democracy...

LINKS TO ALL ABOVE ARTICLES AT:

http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/2274/1/

2011-02-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FOR BOTH MEETINGS BELOW

PUBLIC MEETING

SOLIDARITY

WITH THE

EGYPTIAN UPRISING

TUES 8 FEBRUARY - 7.00PM
Renfield St Stephens, Bath Street, Glasgow

SPEAKERS

George Galloway

Mohammed al Shafi

Egyptian Activist

Judith Orr

Eyewitness Account from Ciaro & Stop the War Coalition National Officer & Editor of Socialist Worker newspaper

John Rees
Eyewitness Account from Ciaro & Stop the War Coalition National Officer

Pauline McNeil

MSP

Sandra White

MSP

A5 FLYER: http://alturl.com/coofh

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

HIDDEN HISTORIES: RECLAIMING TRUTHS

CHANGE OF VENUE & TIME TO:

RENFIELD ST STEPHENS, BATH STREET, GLASGOW

6.00PM

PDF

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_O63Qbxuwh1YTVkYmMwNmYtZjc5My00MDMwLWE5NTUtZjY2NDgyNDI1YzFk&hl=en_GB

2011-02-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

Events in Egypt are at a turning point.
The movement has forced Mubarak toannounce his departure, but demonstrators are demanding he goes now.
Pro-Mubarak thugs - many of them clearly plain clothes police - are trying tocreate a strategy of tension, violently attacking protesters in Tahrir square.The next few days are crucial to what happens next. We are therefore calling a demonstration in solidarity with the Egyptian uprising this Sunday.
FOR MORE NEWS GO TO
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

ALL SCOTLAND DEMONSTRATION

Solidarity with the Egyptian people
Freedom for the Middle East

Sunday 6th February

2.00pm
Assemble @ The Mount, Princess Street, Edinburgh

A5 FLYER - http://alturl.com/8rzkb

Please support all the demonstrations and meetings

taking place accross the country where you can.

Saturday 5 February

Edinburgh Demonstration

2.00pm, Foot of The Mound, Princes Street, Edinburgh

Organised by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Sunday 6 February
Glasgow Demonstration

2.00pm - George Square

HIDDEN HISTORIES

– PALESTINE AND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN –

SCOTTISH SPEAKING TOUR

PROFESSOR BASEM RA’AD

Tuesday 8th February – 7.00pm
Room W118, Hamish Wood Building, Glasgow Caledonian Uni, G4 0BA

Hidden Histories info: http://alturl.com/6zg3s
Leaflet/Meeting details: http://alturl.com/rwud3
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/event.php?eid=185831154784610
Meeting supported by Scottish Palestinian Forum & Scottish Friends of Palestine. We urge everyone to make efforts to attend this meeting.

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

2011-02-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

Glasgow George Square

Tuesday 1st February

Some speakers at the Rally

'FROM THE NILE TO THE SEA,

EGYPT EGYPT WILL BE FREE'

Speaker from Egypt ( unknown name - will update)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4mDBUpc14A

Aamer Anwar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyMWzmV8E9o

Mike Prysner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaKACWy3QFo

Graham Campbell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3UQVMOxC7c

PICTURES FROM THE RALLY

http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanbrown/sets/72157625956671606/

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER MEDIA PLEASE

EMAIL glasgowstopwar@gmail.com and we will update the list above.

2011-02-03T17:20:00.000-08:00

Scottish Parliament Motion

- Support for the Egyptian People -

Contact your MSP to support his motion

FIND YOUR MSP HERE

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/MSPAddressPostcodeFinder.htm

S3M-07870 Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): Support for the Egyptian People— That the Parliament wishes to express its full support for the demonstrations by the Egyptian people by stating its unequivocal belief that all peoples have the right to live in a free and democratic society unshackled by dictatorial oppression and the fear of arrest, detention and torture by a private army disguised as a police force, as it considers is the case of the 30-year rule of Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, and calls on President Mubarak to halt what it sees as the thuggish behaviour of his supporters and to step aside now, rather than holding off until September, in order to avert further bloodshed of innocent Egyptians and allow a peaceful transition to democracy.

Supported by: Mike Pringle, Sandra White, Hugh O'Donnell, Gil Paterson, Stuart McMillan, Linda Fabiani, Kenneth Gibson, Rob Gibson, Christine Grahame, Patrick Harvie, Bob Doris, Joe FitzPatrick, Dr Bill WilsonLodged on Thursday, February 03, 2011; Current

SOURCE:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/business/motions/default.aspx

2011-01-30T13:47:00.000-08:00

SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT
RALLY IN GEORGE SQUARE, GLASGOW
TUESDAY 1ST FEBUARY - 5PM

Download A5 FLYER: http://alturl.com/x5o7s
Download A3 POSTER: http://alturl.com/g4ju6

You will have been witnessing the momentous events in Egypt. Stop the War hasalways been involved in solidarity work with the Middle East, as part of ouropposition to the "war on terror". We have held many meetings and protests onPalestine, Lebanon and Yemen.

Clearly if Hosni Mubarak falls from power, it will have huge implications forthe whole region, and even further afield, including the major theatres of warin Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.

Egypt has been a cornerstone of the US "war on terror" and America's strategyfor dominating the Middle East. Not for nothing is Egypt second only to Israelin the amount of US aid it receives, including $1.3 billion a year for thesecurity forces alone--the same forces who have killed dozens of protesters inthe last few days and injured hundreds more.

President Mubarak has made Egypt a US client state for decades. If his tyrannyis overthrown the implications are momentous.

As one commentator noted, "Every Egyptian knows today that the United Statesgovernment is not a friend of Egypt, it is a friend and ally of the Mubarakregime — a regime that does not represent the Egyptian people. Democracy isnot the United State's gift to the world and it will not be acquired underAmerican tutelage.

Real democrats don't bankroll dictatorships." (SEE:http://bit.ly/ghsnxI)

As well as expressing solidarity with the uprising for democracy in Egypt, Stopthe War's gathering in George Square will also be an opportunity to discuss the implicationsfor the anti-war movement.

FACEBOOK EVENT

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=195328240480279&index=1

OTHER EVENTS

UAF is calling on antiracists and antifascists across the country to mobilise against the English Defence League in Luton on Saturday 5 February.

The EDL, a violent racist organisation with links to the British National Party and other fascist groups, has called a ‘protest’ on that day – they describe it as going ‘back where it all began’. http://uaf.org.uk/2011/01/all-antiracists-and-antifascists-should-be-in-luton-on-sat-5-feb/

Glasgow Stop the War Coalition calls on all its supporters to attend this national demonstration if they are able to. A bus will travel from Glasgow to Luton for this demonstration. Please contact uafscotland@gmail.com if you would like to book your seat. £20 return.

2010-12-31T07:57:00.000-08:00

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

************************************************************************
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/

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

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

************************************************************************
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/

************************************************************************
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/

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

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.

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

2010-11-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

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 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/

2010-10-31T06:48:00.000-07:00

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/

2010-10-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

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

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

************************************************************************
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/

************************************************************************
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/

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

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/

2010-08-18T04:30:00.000-07:00

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
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------
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/

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

2010-06-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

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

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/

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

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
FACEBOOK: Glasgow stopwarcoalition
(Please share with your friends, family and work colleagues)

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

2010-06-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

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.

________________________

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.

2010-06-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

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

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

2010-06-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

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/

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

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/

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

‘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/

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

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।

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

2010-06-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

END THE SIEGE OF GAZA

FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE

ALL SCOTLAND DEMONSTRATION

SATURDAY 5 JUNE
ASSEMBLE 2.00PM - THE MOUND, EDINBURGH

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

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

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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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/

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

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

2010-05-31T03:01:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

2010-04-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

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

**************************************
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/

**************************************
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/
**************************************
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.

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

**************************************
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.

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

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

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

Demonstrate Against the English Defence League – March 20 2010

2010-03-18T05:47:00.000-07:00

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/

DEMONSTRATE: EDUCATION NOT WAR

2010-03-04T05:17:00.000-08:00

Education not bombs

Saturday 6th March 2010

EIS National Demonstration Against Budget Cuts in Education, Why Must our Children Pay?
Assemble 10.30am Saturday, March off 11am, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow.

Buses leave Edinburgh, Waterloo Place at 9am.
More info: http://www.eis.org.uk/campaign/

With the latest polls in the UK stating that 64% say the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable it is time the troops withdrew. http://stopwar.org.uk/content/view/1757/1/

Stop the War believes that the money spent on the Afghanistan war would be better spent on teachers, schools and books.

Join the STW Education not Bombs contingent on the march on this Saturday.

WHAT GORDON BROWN COULD HAVE DONE WITH £8.5BN
Gordon Brown happily signed the cheques for the Iraq war. In2005 he said, "I would have behaved exactly like Tony over thewar."As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Brown was the paymastergeneral for the Iraq war. Instead of spending £8.5 billion onmass slaughter of Iraqis, Brown could have funded:

* The recruitment and retention of over 25,000 new teachersfor ten years.* All NHS maternity care for four years.

* All NHS Accident and Emergency provision for four and a halfyears.

* All government spending on the railways for five years.(SEE http://bit.ly/avwT4v) But not content with this astronomical waste, Brown is nowspending sums on the war in Afghanistan which -- at £12billion and rising fast -- dwarf his Iraq spending. (SEEhttp://bit.ly/4bRSM)

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/

A MESSAGE TO ALL STOP THE WAR COALITION SUPPORTERS

2009-12-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

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

DECEMBER 2009

2009-12-10T16:20:00.000-08:00

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

Novermber 2009 newsletter

2009-11-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

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/

Statement from Stop the War on the British National Party

2009-06-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

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

G20 Demonstrate

2009-03-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-03-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

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)

Stop the War Coalition Scotland Conference

2009-02-13T06:10:00.000-08:00

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: 21^st 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

Glasgow University Occupy in Solidarity with Gaza

2009-02-09T10:22:00.000-08:00

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

Stop the War Coalition (Scotland) Conference 2009

2009-01-31T10:25:00.000-08:00

Saturday 21 February

10am – 5pm

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

Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=256916&Y=666655&A=Y&Z=110

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

BBC – KEEP UP THE PRESSURE

2009-01-26T08:52:00.000-08:00

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 – 21^st 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 28^th 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

2009-01-25T17:44:00.000-08:00

BBC Scotland headquarters occupied after refusal to show DEC Gaza aid appeal – Occupation victorious in highlighting the issue

2009-01-25T17:04:00.000-08:00

Over 100 people participated in an occupation of the BBC Scotland headquarters today, 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 CNN, CBS and Al-Jazeera. 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 occupation had three main demands:

That the BBC reverse its decision and show the DEC Appeal for Gaza.
That the BBC director responsible for the decision not to air the appeal should be asked to resign.
That the BBC show coverage of the outrage of the British people against the stopping of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

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 28^th 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.

'The life of every man, woman and child in Gaza is just as valuable as the lives of people anywhere else in the world. The people of Britain want to help the people of Gaza, and the BBC should give them the information to do so. Every day that the BBC waits to show this appeal, more people in Gaza will die,' said Penny Howard, of the Stop the War Coalition.

PROTEST OUTSIDE THE BBC - BROADCAST THE DEC GAZA APPEAL

2009-01-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

URGENT REQUEST TO ALL STOP THE WAR'S SUPPORTERS

The BBC has scuppered the Disasters Emergency Committee http://www.dec.org.uk/ in its efforts to raise money for Gaza. Read the full story below and flood the BBC with complaints today. BBC scuppers TV fundraising appeal for Gaza victims

PROTEST OUTSIDE THE BBC

SUNDAY 25TH JANUARY
5.00PM sharp

PACIFIC QUAY, GLASGOW
MAP: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=256705&Y=665133&A=Y&Z=110
Background information:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5568735.ece Statement from the BBC"Along with other broadcasters, the BBC has decided not to broadcast the DEC's public appeal to raise funds for Gaza. The BBC decision was made because of question marks about the delivery of aid in a volatile situation and also to avoid any risk of compromising public confidence in the BBC's impartiality in the context of an ongoing news story. However the BBC will, of course, continue to report the humanitarian story in Gaza,"BBC Statement
GOVERNMENT COMPLAINS TO BBC FOR BLOCKING GAZA APPEAL http://globaldayofaction.org/stopwar/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=988&Itemid=1

COMPLAIN NOW TO THE BBChttp://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/ Stop the War understands that the government has contacted the BBC to complain about its decision to refuse the broadcasting of a humanitarian appeal for Gaza.
The BBC's decision will prevent the raising of millions of pounds in emergency aid being sent to Gaza. Stop the War is demanding that the exchange between the government and the BBC be made public immediately.

The BBC says it is blocking the emergency appeal "to avoid any risk of compromising public confidence in the BBC's "impartiality", as if this has anything to do with humanitarian aid for a devastated people. Either they need the aid or they do not.

This is the first time in the 48 years of similar national appeals for humanitarian aid that a broadcast has been refused. It is estimated that £10 million of urgently required aid will not now be sent to help Palestinians in Gaza, living in catastrophic conditions.
"This is a betrayal of the BBC's obligation to be a public service," said Tony Benn, President of Stop the War. "To deny the help that the aid agencies and the UN need is incomprehensible."
It is imperative that the BBC responds to the government's complaint and reverses its decision to refuse this broadcast. If it does not, we will see people in Gaza continue to suffer due to being denied emergency relief because of BBC "impartiality" .

Stop the War urges all its supporters to complain to the BBC. We must mobilise all the pressure we can to get the BBC to reverse its decision.
TO COMPLAIN TO THE BBC PHONE: 03700 100 222 TEXT: 03700 100 212 ONLINE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/

Tony Benn Statement on BBC "betrayal" over charity broadcast

"The decision of the BBC to refuse to broadcast a national humanitarian appeal for Gaza, which has left aid agencies with a potential shortfall of millions of pounds in donations, is a betrayal of the obligation which it owes as a public service.The destruction in Gaza and the loss of the lives of over a thousand civilians and children, has shocked the world as Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, made clear, when he saw the devastation for himself.The human suffering that the people of Gaza has experienced over the last few weeks has appalled people who have seen it for themselves on their television screens.To deny the help that the aid agencies and the UN need at this moment in time is incomprehensible and it follows the bias in BBC reporting of this crisis, which has been widely criticised.I appeal to the Chairman of the BBC Trust to intervene to reverse this decision to save the lives of those who are now in acute danger of dying through a lack of food, fuel, water and medical supplies."Tony Benn

Politician Tony Benn discusses on the BBC News 24 and radio 4 why he will be attending the protest outside BBC Broadcasting House and puts out an appeal for aid himself – much to the horror of the presenters!!

Tony Benn was brilliant on BBC new 24 just now on the question of the BBC Gaza appeal ban. He stunned the interviewer by immediately interrupting her by saying "seeing as the BBC will not broadcast the appeal I will, she tried to intervene but he said "you are not going to stop me" and he gave out the appeal phone no and details as well as the numbers of casualties. She looked bewildered as he angrily raged against the BBC and said "we all know who is behind this, the Israeli Government"

http://filasteen.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/tony-benn-to-the-bbc-im-sorry-but-im-a-human-being/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7848000/7848670.stm

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.

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

Help us to expand our 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.comPlease forward this email to your email address book.

PROTEST RALLY & TEACH-IN

2009-01-22T06:04:00.001-08:00

PROTEST RALLY – SATURDAY 24 JANUARY

Saturday 24 January
1pm, George Square
PROSECUTE THE WAR CRIMINALS
END THE BLOCKADE
STOP ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL
EXPEL THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR
FREE PALESTINE!
We will be laying a wreath in Palestinian colours at the cenotaph, please bring red flowers and Palestinian flags to leave there in memory of the over 1300 people killed in Gaza since 27 December.
Organised by the Gaza Emergency Coordinating Committee

HOW YOU CAN HELP MAXIMISE TURN OUT FOR THIS EVENT
Call 079 1234 8366 for leaflets / posters - the more flyers/posters you want the better.
Call to volunteer for leafleting at a mosque, train station or in the city centre on Friday.
Forward this email to all your networks/friends and text everyone you know.

TEACH-IN – SATURDAY 24 JANUARY
FREE PALESTINE! Imperialism, Occupation, Resistance, Solidarity
Saturday 24 January
2:30pm-5:15pm
Strathclyde University
Student Union Building, John Street, Glasgow
(5 mins walk from George Square)

What is the history of Zionism? Why did America and the UK support the creation of Israel, and why do they continue today? What is it like to live under occupation? Who are the activists for social justice in the Middle East, and what are they doing today? What can we do in the UK to provide solidarity to the Palestinians? Boycott, divestment and sanctions: how do they work? What is our government's role and how can we influence them?
Speakers include: Wael Sawish - a Palestinian and Chair of Scottish Friends of Palestine; Joshua Brown- delegate to the January 2009 Beirut International Forum on Resistance, Anti-imperialism, Solidarity and Alternatives'; Humza Yusef - Director of Public Affairs for the Scottish Islamic Foundation and Political Advisor to Nicola Sturgeon; Nicola Fisher – Chair of Glasgow Stop the War Coalition, others to be confirmed.
Organised by the Gaza Emergency Coordinating Committee