From info at j-n-v.org Fri Jan 6 14:16:32 2006 From: info at j-n-v.org (JNV) Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2006 14:16:32 +0000 Subject: [JNV] Upcoming Anti-War Events Message-ID: Compiled by Voices in the Wilderness UK Our apologies for cross-posting [A] 7/7 Memorial Service Six Months After the London Bombings, 3pm at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, Sunday 7 January. [B] Freedom to Protest Trial, 10am, Monday 9 January, Bow Street Magistrates Court (protest outside between 9-10am). [C] London Anti-war Action Forums, 2-5pm, Sat 21 Jan and Sat 18 Feb, London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel. [D] National demonstration to demand justice for the British residents in Guantanamo Bay. Meet 12 noon, 21 Jan, Tothill Street London (nearest tube St James Park) for march to US Embassy via Downing Street. [E] Other upcoming anti-war events. Please e-mail voices@voicesuk.org with the details of any anti-war events you don't see listed here! ************************************************* [A] 7/7 MEMORIAL SERVICE SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LONDON BOMBINGS This Saturday 7th January at 3pm there will be held an informal ceremony at the Cenotaph, near Downing Street on Whitehall for the half-year anniversary of the London bombings. In remembrance of past, present and future acts of war, terror and aggression against people everywhere, we will share silent and spoken prayers for the coming year. And in solidarity with Maya Evans*, there will also be a public bell ringing and a reading of the names of all those who died on the London transport system on 7th July 2005. * The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 [also known as SOCPA] makes it a criminal offence to demonstrate without police control within 1km of Westminster. On 9th December 2005 Maya became the first person to be convicted under this awful legislation. She and the writer Milan Rai were arrested for ringing bells and reading aloud the names of Iraq war victims immediately outside Downing Street. Please come and join us for our 7/7 Anniversary Memorial Service. This Saturday 7th January 2006, 3pm at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, Westminster. For more info about the service please call Mark on 0785 439 0408 Service organised by individual members of www.peopleincommon.org in liason with others. To join the SOCPA mailing list, please go to https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/peopleincommon and fill in your email address. ******************************************* [B] FREEDOM TO PROTEST TRIAL 10am, Monday 9 January, Bow Street Magistrates Court, London (there will be a demo outside the court from 9-10am) At least 21 people have now been arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) for organising or participating in so-called "unauthorised" protests in a new anti-protest zone around Parliament. On 7 Dec, anti-war activist Maya Evans was the first person to be convicted of this new offence. At least 4 more trials will take place in January / February, including trials on the 9th, 19th and the 23rd January. The first such trial (which will take place next Monday) will be of four activists arrested on 1 Aug 2005 during an unauthorised demo in Parliament Square to protest the recent criminalisation of such protests. Support welcome! See www.parliamentprotest.org.uk for background on the new law. ************************************************* [C] LONDON ANTI-WAR ACTION FORUMS A joint initiative of the Corporate Pirates, Iraq Occupation Focus, Justice Not Vengeance, Peace Not War, Rhythms of Resistance and Voices in the Wilderness UK. When: 2-5pm, SATURDAY 21 JANUARY and SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY (later forum dates tba) Where: London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1ES (nearest tube Aldgate East). See www.londonarc.org. Outraged by the ongoing attacks by US-led forces on towns and cities in Iraq? Angry about the forthcoming deployment of thousands more UK troops to Afghanistan? Want to take action? Maybe you have an idea for a creative protest against the routeing of CIA torture flights through the UK, or would like to meet up with like-minded folk to plan anti-war street theatre to mark the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq? Or perhaps you know of a corporate war profiteer that needs a spotlight thrown on it, or want to discuss ways of responding to the latest MoD recruitment drive (scheduled to begin in January)? Then the London Anti-war Action Forum could be the place for you! THE LONDON ANTI-WAR ACTION FORUM IS: - a monthly open space for people who want to organise (and take part in) actions related to the so-called "war on terror" (eg. the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Islamophobia etc...) - a place for *your* ideas and energies IT ISN'T: - a place for in-depth discussion of the latest news from Iraq, Guantanamo etc... Information and analysis are crucial to all our work but the Forum's focus will be action. - an attempt to replicate the important work that's already being done (newsletters, conferences, weekly street stalls etc...) but will instead focus on the stuff that's *not* happening. - another group. Rather, it's a space where groups and individuals can come together to talk about and plan actions (forming ad hoc coalitions where appropriate). In particular the Forum will have no fixed "membership" or agreed "platform" and no actions will be organised under the name of the "Anti-war Action Forum". For more information contact 0845 458 2564, e-mail voices@voicesuk.org or visit www.voicesuk.org. ******************************************** [D] NATIONAL GUANTANAMO BAY DEMO Assemble 12 noon Tothill Street, London (nearest tube St James Park) for a march via Downing Street to the American Embassy. Support the Hunger Strikers. Shut down all illegal US jails. Called by the Save Omar Deghayes campaign and the Birmingham Guantanamo Group. See www.save-omar.org.uk for more details. ********************************************** [E] OTHER UPCOMING ANTI-WAR EVENTS EVERY MON-SAT, BRISTOL: PEACE VIGIL. Running since a few days after 9/11. 5.30-6.30pm (Mon-Fri) & 3-4pm (Sat). City Centre, opposite The Hippodrome, St. Augustines Parade. EVERY SUN, LONDON: FREEDOM TO PROTEST PICNICS in Parliament Square. In defence of the right to protest, recently criminalised under s132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April 2005). Bring food, drink and music to share. 12 Noon, Parliament Square, Westminster. For more info contact 0785 439 0408, marshall_darkness@hotmail.com or visit www.peopleincommon.org JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2006: ANTI-WAR AND FREEDOM TO PROTEST ACTIVISTS ON TRIAL. At least 21 people have now been arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) for organising or participating in so-called "unauthorised" protests in a new anti-protest zone around Parliament. On 7 Dec, anti-war activist Maya Evans was the first person to be convicted of this new offence. At least 4 more trials will take place in January / February, including trials on the 9th, 19th and the 23rd January (see below). For more info on SOCPA, Maya's case etc... see here. ON THE DEATH OF THE 100TH BRITISH SOLDIER IN IRAQ, AROUND THE COUNTRY: The day the 100th British soldier's death is reported members of Military Families Against the War (http://www.mfaw.org.uk/) will lead a vigil in Parliament Square and the names of these 100 soldiers and of 100 Iraqi dead will be read out. The next day there will be 100 similar protests in 100 towns across the country. The Stop the War Coalition is calling on all anti-war groups around the country to prepare for this now. Vigils organised so far include: Manchester (5.30pm at the War Memorial, also 6pm at the Peace Gardens on the day of the announcement itself. Contact 0161 273 8283); Oxford: (6.30 PM at the HSVC Bank in Cornmarket); and Southend: 4.30 PM at Victoria Station. Confirm on day and ring: 07748 686 581. See also www.stopwar.org.uk LONDON ANTI-WAR ACTION FORUMS: Outraged by the ongoing attacks by US-led forces on towns and cities in Iraq? Angry about the forthcoming deployment of thousands more UK troops to Afghanistan? Want to take action? Then the London Anti-war Action Forum - a monthly open space for people who want to organise (and take part in) actions related to the so-called "war on terror"- could be the place for you! The first two forums will take place between 2-5pm on 21 Jan and 18 Feb at the London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1ES (nearest tube Aldgate East). The forum is a joint initiative of the Corporate Pirates, Iraq Occupation Focus, Justice Not Vengeance, Peace Not War, Rhythms of Resistance and Voices in the Wilderness UK. 7 JAN, LONDON: 7/7 MEMORIAL SERVICE SIX MONTHS AFTER THE BOMBINGS. 3pm at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. An informal ceremony to mark the half-year anniversary of the London bombings, in remembrance of past, present and future acts of war, terror and aggression against people everywhere. In solidarity with Maya Evans - who recently became the first person to be convicted of taking part in an "unauthorised" demonstration within 1km of Parliament for reading out the names of British service personnel who have died in Iraq - the names of all those killed on the London transport system on 7th July 2005 will be read out. Please be aware that you may be arrested and charged with a criminal offence for taking part in this memorial. Service organised by individual members of www.peopleincommon.org in liason with others. For more info about the service please call Mark on 0785 439 0408. 7 JAN, LONDON & BIRMINGHAM: VIGILS FOR ABDUCTED PEACE ACTIVISTS from the Christian Peacemaker Teams. London: 3-4pm, Trafalgar Square (north side near National Gallery, opposite St Martin in the Fields). Birmingham: 11.30am - 12.30pm, Chamberlain Square, near Central Library, Birmingham. 01905 767366 9 JAN, LONDON: FREEDOM TO PROTEST TRIAL #1. Trial of four activists arrested on 1 Aug 2005 during an unauthorised demo in Parliament Square to protest the recent criminalisation of such protests. 10am, Bow Street Magistrates Court. A demo will be held outside the court from 9-10am. See www.parliamentprotest.org.uk for background on the new law. 10 JAN, LONDON: MONTHLY MEETING OF IRAQ OCCUPATION FOCUS. Contact iraqfocus@riseup.net for details. 14 JAN, LONDON: THE EFFECT OF 7/7 ON THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN BRITAIN - A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE. Talk by Moazzam Begg who endured months of solitary confinement and aggressive interrogation by both US and UK security officers in the isolation block at Guantanamo's Camp Delta. 11am, Imperial College, Exhibition Road. 10.30 am. £3, concessions £2, tickets on door. Info 07984 178 193 or www.monde-diplo-friends.org.uk 15 JAN, NOTTINGHAM: CREATIVE CAMPAIGNING WORKSHOP. 11am – 4pm at The Place, 2a Melrose Street, Sherwood. Cost £4 on the day. See http://tinyurl.com/adz2o 18 JAN, MOULSECOMBE: DRUMS NOT BOMBS DEMO AT EDO MBM 'an arms components company that makes bomb parts that were used in the Iraq war’ (Guardian, 11 Apr). 4-6pm at EDO MBM, Home Farm Rd. Bring percussion.Call 07891405923 or email smashedo@hotmail.com for more details. See also www.smashedo.org.uk. 19 JAN, LONDON: TRIAL OF ANTI-WAR ACTIVIST CHRIS COVERDALE arrested last year for taking part in an "unauthorised" demonstration within 1km of Parliament. Contact chriscoverdale@actionagainstwar.org for details. 21 JAN, LONDON: LONDON ANTI-WAR ACTION FORUM. 2-5pm, London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1ES (nearest tube Aldgate East). A monthly open space for people who want to organise (and take part in) actions related to the so-called "war on terror." A joint initiative of the Corporate Pirates, Iraq Occupation Focus, Justice Not Vengeance, Peace Not War, Rhythms of Resistance and Voices in the Wilderness UK. See www.voices.netuxo.co.uk/antiwaractionforum.htm for more info. 21 JAN, LONDON: NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION TO DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THE BRITISH RESIDENTS IN GUANTANAMO BAY. Support the Hunger Strikers. Shut down all illegal US jails. Assemble 12 noon Tothill Street, London (nearest tube St James Park) for a march via Downing Street to the American Embassy in Grovesnor Square. Called by the Save Omar Deghayes campaign and the Birmingham Guantanamo Group. See www.save-omar.org.uk for more details. 23 JANUARY, LONDON: FREEDOM TO PROTEST TRIAL #2. Trial of five activists arrested on 7Aug 2005 during an unauthorised demo in Parliament Square to protest the recent criminalisation of such protests. 10am, Bow Street Magistrates Court. See www.parliamentprotest.org.uk for background on the new law. 30 JAN, LONDON: PEACE NOT WAR: UNITING LONDON WITH UK HIP HOP. The best of worldwide Hip Hop brought together with the premium UK flavour by the Peace Not War crew. 9pm - 3am, £10 tickets in advance (www.ticketweb.co.uk), more on the door. For more information contact: katie@peace-not-war.org or 07779 276 575.See also www.peace-not-war.org 3 FEB, LONDON: PEACE NOT WAR LIVE MUSIC ROOM AT THE SYNERGY PROJECT. A five-room spectacular at SeOne Club, with a diverse showcase of positive anti-war musicians. Contact sarah@peace.fm or 07905 514049. See also www.peace-not-war.org. 14 FEB, MOULSECOMBE: NAMING THE DEAD DEMO outside EDO MBM 'an arms components company that makes bomb parts that were used in the Iraq war’ (Guardian, 11 Apr). 4-6pm at EDO MBM, Home Farm Rd. Bring bells to toll.Call 07891405923 or email smashedo@hotmail.com for more details. See also www.smashedo.org.uk. 18 FEB, LONDON: LONDON ANTI-WAR ACTION FORUM. 2-5pm, London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1ES (nearest tube Aldgate East). A monthly open space for people who want to organise (and take part in) actions related to the so-called "war on terror." A joint initiative of the Corporate Pirates, Iraq Occupation Focus, Justice Not Vengeance, Peace Not War, Rhythms of Resistance and Voices in the Wilderness UK. See www.voices.netuxo.co.uk/antiwaractionforum.htm for more info. 18 MARCH, LONDON: NATIONAL MARCH AGAINST THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ. Time and route tba. See www.stopwar.org.uk. 4 MAY, LONDON: AGM OF LEADING WAR PROFITEER BAE SYSTEMS who are currently working on a $3.5bn contract to refit the Bradley fighting vehicles being used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) inside and outside. For more info ring 020 7281 0297 or e-mail enquiries@caat.org.uk. See also http://www.caat.org.uk/ From info at j-n-v.org Wed Jan 18 03:05:58 2006 From: info at j-n-v.org (JNV) Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 03:05:58 +0000 Subject: [JNV] Briefings, Petitions and Events Message-ID: <819fbdaedd62a9c418bcc4242211ca85@j-n-v.org> (1) Recommended Briefings (2) Online Petitions (3) Events *** (1) Recommended Briefing subscribe to Monthly digest on the situation in Iraq and other issues. *** (2) Online petitions to sign Women worldwide who have had enough of the senseless war in Iraq and the cruel attacks on civilians around the world. End Guantanamo - Bring them home. Urgent appeal to save Iraq's academics *** (3) Forth coming events On the death of the 100th British Soldier in Iraq- a National Action The day the 100th British soldier's death is reported members of Military Families Against the War will lead a vigil in Parliament Square and the names of these 100 soldiers and of 100 Iraqi dead will be read out. The next day there will be 100 similar protests in 100 towns across the country. The Stop the War Coalition is calling on all anti-war groups around the country to prepare for this now. Vigils organised so far include: Manchester (5.30pm at the War Memorial, also 6pm at the Peace Gardens on the day of the announcement itself. Contact 0161 273 8283); Oxford: (6.30 PM at the HSVC Bank in Cornmarket); and Southend: 4.30 PM at Victoria Station. Confirm on day and ring: 07748 686 581. more info *** Wed 18 Jan SOCPA* Trial LONDON Mark Barrett, arrested last year for taking part in an "unauthorised" demonstration within 1km of Parliament. 2pm, Bow Street Magistrates' Court. Support welcomed. Wed 18 Jan MOULSECOMBE Drums not Bombs demo at EDO MBM 'an arms components company that makes bomb parts that were used in the Iraq war’ (Guardian, 11 Apr). 4-6pm at EDO MBM, Home Farm Rd. Bring percussion.Call 07891405923 or email smashedo@hotmail.com or see Sat 21 Jan National Demo LONDON calling for justice for the British residents in Guantanamo Bay BRING THEM HOME Support the Hunger Strikers Shut down all illegal US jails Assemble 12 noon Tothill Street, London (nearest tube St James Park) March via Downing Street to the American Embassy in Grovesnor Square Called by The Save Omar Deghayes Campaign/The Birmingham Guantanamo Campaign/The Manchester Guantanamo and Belmarsh Campaign supporting Families of the British Residents in Guantanamo Bay or see Sat 21 Jan and Sat 18 Feb LONDON Anti War Action Forum A joint initiative of the Corporate Pirates, Iraq Occupation Focus, JNV , Peace Not War, Rhythms of Resistance and Voices in the Wilderness 2-5pm London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1ES (nearest tube Aldgate East). Outraged by the ongoing attacks by US-led forces on towns and cities in Iraq? Angry about the forthcoming deployment of thousands more UK troops to Afghanistan? Want to take action? a monthly open space for people who want to organise (and take part in) actions related to the so-called "war on terror" (eg. the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Islamophobia etc...) For more information contact 0845 458 2564, e-mail voices@voicesuk.org or see See Sat 21 Jan LONDON Fundraising social for Vanunu Freedom Ride Willesden Green. A social to raise funds for A bike ride in support of Mordechai Vanunu, from Glasgow to London in April. Food and entertainment form Debbie Fink - the diva with a difference Ian Saville Socialist Magician Tickets (including food) £12.00 (concessions £6.00) in advance Resrve tickets from Kam at 07952 548 926 (Kam) or kam@phonecoop.coop Mon 23 Jan SOCPA* Trial LONDON Five activists arrested on 7Aug 2005 during an unauthorised "Mass Act of Defiance" in Parliament Square to protest the recent criminalisation of such protests. 10am, Bow Street Magistrates Court. Support welcomed. Mon 30 Jan LONDON Peace not War UK HIP HOP. The best of worldwide Hip Hop brought together with the premium UK flavour by the Peace Not War crew. 9pm - 3am, £10 tickets in advance (www.ticketweb.co.uk), more on the door. For more information contact: katieATpeace-not-war.org or 07779 276 575 or see Sat 11 Feb Our Responsibility for War and Peace LONDON 9.30am-4:00pm Holloway Road Resource Centre Mon 23 Jan SOCPA* Trial LONDON Five activists arrested on 7Aug 2005 during an unauthorised "Mass Act of Defiance" in Parliament Square to protest the recent criminalisation of such protests. 10am, Bow Street Magistrates Court. Support Welcomed. Fri 3 Feb LONDON Peace not War live music at the Synergy Project. A five-room spectacular at SeOne Club, with a diverse showcase of positive anti-war musicians. Contact sarahATpeace.fm or 07905 514049 or see Tues 14 Feb MOULSECOMBE Naming the Dead demo outside EDO MBM 'an arms components company that makes bomb parts that were used in the Iraq war’ (Guardian, 11 Apr). 4-6pm at EDO MBM, Home Farm Rd. Bring bells to toll. Call 07891405923 or email smashedo@hotmail.com or see Sat 18 March LONDON National March against the Occupation of Iraq Time and route tba. or see Sat 1 April BRIGHTON The New 'Anti-Terror' Laws -Taking Liberties CAMPACC Public Meeting Speakers include; Sagheer Hussain Specialist criminal defence lawyer and representing Stop Political Terror (the group fighting for the rights of the Guantanamo and Belmarsh detainees). Anne Costello-Campaign Against Criminalising Communities.The (local) Brother of a detainee in Guantanamo Bay. Jaya Nyanajoti- anti arms and human rights campaigner, and many others. Friends Meeting House Ship Street Sun 2 April LONDON "unauthorized" demo* Naming the Dead -Mass Civil Disobedience against the Occupation of Iraq, demand for reparations, prosecution of those responsible for war crimes. On the 2nd anniversary of the April 2004 siege of Fallujah. 12 noon, Parliament Square. A non-violent direct action workshop and legal briefing will take place in London on 1 April. Organised by the Mass Action Group and supported by the London Catholic Worker, Voices UK and JNV. Thurs 4 May LONDON AGM of leading war profiteer BAE SYSTEMS who are currently working on a $3.5bn contract to refit the Bradley fighting vehicles being used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) inside and outside. For more info ring 020 7281 0297 or e-mail enquiries@caat.org.uk or see ___________ *SOCPA Under the new Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April 2005) anyone wishing to demonstrate within 1km of Parliament must apply to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner at least 6 days in advance or, if not "reasonably practicable", 24 hours in advance. Permission must be granted but the Commissioner can impose draconian conditions on the protest including: when and where it can take place; how long it can last; how many people can attend; how much noise can be made; and the number and size of banners and placards used.At least 21 people have now been arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) for organising or participating in so-called "unauthorised" protests in a new anti-protest zone around Parliament. On 7 Dec, anti-war activist Maya Evans JNV was the first person to be convicted of this new offence. Four more people have since been found guilty under the Act (see for background on the new law). From info at j-n-v.org Tue Jan 31 12:43:47 2006 From: info at j-n-v.org (JNV) Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 12:43:47 +0000 Subject: [JNV] Vigils for Iraq tonight Message-ID: <7a9b13e0b3686c945963905f1faffca6@j-n-v.org> Today (Tuesday 31 Jan) the 100th British Soldier has been killed in Iraq LONDON VIGIL TONIGHT at 5pm Parliament Square, Military Families Against the War (www.mfaw.org.uk) will lead a vigil in Parliament Square and the names of these 100 soldiers and of 100 Iraqi dead will be read out. OUTSIDE LONDON There are planned to be similar protests in towns across the country today and tomorrow. Vigils organised so far include: Manchester (5.30pm at the War Memorial, also 6pm at the Peace Gardens on the day of the announcement itself. Contact 0161 273 8283); Oxford: (6.30 PM at the HSVC Bank in Cornmarket); and Southend: 4.30 PM at Victoria Station. Confirm on day and ring: 07748 686 581. See also www.stopwar.org.uk Please post a report of your event on Indymedia www.indymedia.org.uk/en/ From info at j-n-v.org Mon Feb 20 17:21:00 2006 From: info at j-n-v.org (JNV) Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 17:21:00 +0000 Subject: [JNV] Protect Our Civil Liberties Message-ID: Protect our Civil Liberties 1) SOCPA 2) Civil Liberties events 3) Other events 4) Special appeal for volunteers * * * * * * * * * * * 1) What is SOCPA? Why and how do we protest? SOCPA -Under the new Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (August 2005) anyone wishing to demonstrate within 1km of Parliament must apply to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner must be granted but the Commissioner can impose draconian conditions on the protest including: when and where it can take place; how long it can last; how many people can attend; how much noise can be made; and the number and size of banners and placards used. At least 21 people have now been arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) for organising or participating in so-called "unauthorised" protests in a new anti-protest zone around Parliament. On 7 Dec, anti-war activist Maya Evans JNV was the first person to be convicted of this new offence. Four more people have since been found guilty under the Act (see www.parliamentprotest.org.uk for background on the new law). Sun 2 April LONDON "unauthorized" demo Naming the Dead -Mass Civil Disobedience against the Occupation of Iraq, demand for reparations, prosecution of those responsible for war crimes. On the 2nd anniversary of the April 2004 siege of Fallujah. 12 noon, Parliament Square. Called by the Mass Action Group MAG A non-violent direct action workshop and legal briefing will take place in London on 1 April The Front Studio, Diorama 1, 34 Osnaburgh St, London NW1 3ND (nearesttube Great Portland Street). Organised by the Mass Action Group and supported by the London Catholic Worker, Voices UK and JNV more info or call 0845 458 2564 Pledge your support for freedom of protest http://www.pledgebank.com/protest organized by South Somerset for Peace who are trying to get as many people as possible to pledge that they will join the planned human chain around the designated area in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act; and demand democracy and freedom to hold peaceful protest whenever and wherever is necessary. 6000 peole are needed. * * * 2) Events related to the issue of Civil Liberties Thurs 23 Feb BRIGHTON Maya Evans JNV speaking at a Smash Edo event on civil liberties. The event is to celebrate the campaigns success in over turning injuctions. Also a NO2ID speaker as well as an update from the group. Friends Meeting House, Ship Street. 7.30pm Thurs 16 March LONDON Milan Rai JNV stands trial 10.30am Bow Str Magistrates Court as the first organiser of an unauthorised demonstration in the restricted protest zone of Whitehall. Supporters welcomed (date likely to change). Sat 1 April BRIGHTON The New 'Anti-Terror' Laws -Taking Liberties CAMPACC Public Meeting Speakers include; Sagheer Hussain Specialist criminal defence lawyer and representing Stop Political Terror (the group fighting for the rights of the Guantanamo and Belmarsh detainees). Anne Costello-Campaign Against Criminalising Communities.The (local) Brother of a detainee in Guantanamo Bay. Jaya Nyanajoti- anti arms and human rights campaigner, and many others. Friends Meeting House Ship Street * * * 3) Other event happening Tues 28 Feb ILMINSTER Kate Hudson, chair of CND, will come and talk on the subject: "Do we need a Trident replacement?" A recent opinion poll shows 54% of the Britons oppose replacement of Britain's nuclear weapon system Trident in the 2020s. This would cost up to £25 billion. The talk is hosted by the South Somerset Peace Group, at 7.30 pm in the Minster Rooms, Ilminster. Entrance £2 website www.southsomersetpeace.infoaction.org.uk. Thurs 2 March BRIGHTON A talk and discussion on VENEZUELA with Espe Espigares activist in the solidarity organisation ‘Hands Off Venezuela’ 7.30 - 9.00 pm at Brighthelm North Road, BN1 1YD www.watchingthewarmakers for more information * Sat 4 March LONDON Theatre workshop in preparation for international reading of 'What I heard about Iraq' (20/3). Volunteers needed to take part and commit to taking part in Street theatre on the day.The Front Studio, Diorama 1, 34 Osnaburgh St, London NW1 3ND (nearesttube Great Portland Street) 11am - 5pm. Organised by JNV, Surrey Code Pink and Voices UK. Sat 4 March CREWKERNE 11am till noon Silent Vigil in front of Victoria Hall, to commemorate all those who have suffered in wars, and express our intention to try our utmost to solve conflict in better ways Thurs 9 March SHERBORNE Oliver Letwin (MP) & Bruce Kent debate Britains Nuclear Deterrent The Conference Centre Gryphon School Bristol Road, Sherborne 7.30 pm FREE but RESERVE YOUR SEAT by phoning 01300 345109 or emailing: lesleyATtogetherness.freeserve.co.uk Hosted by Yeovil & Sherborne Stop the War *Sat 18 March LONDON National March against the occupation of Iraq and calls to not attack Iraq. Organized by STW route to be announced. Starts 12 noon. * * * 4) * Special Call for Volunteers i) Can you help in giving out leaflets at the demo on 18/3 for JNV and MAG, if you can please contact JNV by either email or call 0845 458 9571 ii) Especially looking for people to come along to the theatre workshop on 4/3 at the Diorama (see above) to organize a reading of "What I Heard About Iraq" on the 20/3. From info at j-n-v.org Thu Mar 2 00:10:52 2006 From: info at j-n-v.org (JNV) Date: Thu, 02 Mar 2006 00:10:52 +0000 Subject: [JNV] Milan Rai New Book, Speaking Tour, Court Date Message-ID: 1) New Book 2) Speaking Tour 3) Court Date Dear friends I have a new book out, 7/7: The London Bombings, Islam and the Iraq War, which Tony Benn, Ziauddin Sardar and 7/7 survivor Rachel North have all been kind enough to praise (you can see their comments on the JNV website www.j-n-v.org). You can order the book from JNV for £11.99 (inc. p&p) per copy (UK only, I'm afraid) and we have copies right now (they won't get to bookshops for a while, I think) - the address is 29 Gensing Road, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0HE. (Buying from JNV means that a proportion of the purchase price goes to fund JNV!) In April (and perhaps in May) I'm travelling around the British Isles on a speaking tour about the July bombings and the 'war on terror'. The tour is already taking shape - if your group would like to invite me to speak, then please do get in touch. Finally, my case for 'organising an unauthorised demonstration' is coming before Bow St Magistrates Court at 2pm on 16 March - I'm being represented by Liberty. The maximum penalty, Liberty have discovered, is only 3 months, not 51 weeks (the longer penalty comes into force later in the year, I think). Supporters is very welcome! Best wishes in all your work, Milan Rai From info at j-n-v.org Mon Mar 6 16:32:57 2006 From: info at j-n-v.org (JNV) Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:32:57 +0000 Subject: [JNV] Up Coming Events Message-ID: Dear All Here is a round up of events for the next few weeks. If you have any events you would like publicised do drop us a line at info@j-n-v.org Please note we are looking for volunteers to give out leaflets on the 18/3 demo in London (see below). Thanks JNV *** *International Womens day* Wed 8 March LONDON A female delegation will deliver a petition to 10 Downing Street 'Women say NO to War" 2pm they will gather outside US Embassy in Grosvenor Square with flowers and other symbols and messages of peace in memory of those killed in Iraq. All are welcome to join in support. Fri 10 March BRIGHTON Smash Edo Noise demo On Home Farm Road Moulescoomb Starts 11.30 am to give those who profit from mass murder something to ponder as they return home for the weekend. Sat 11 March LONDON “Palestinian Workers Challenging the Occupation” A Palestine Solidarity Campaign Trade Union Conference. Speakers on the day will provide a real insight into current events and likely developments: Shaher Sae’d General Secretary of the PGFTU; Willy Madisha President of COSATU South Africa; Diana Buttu spokesperson for the PLO; Dr Manuel Hassassian Palestinian Ambassador to Britain; Nadia Hamdan PGFTU; Jafar Farah Mossawa Centre – Campaigning for Palestinian Rights inside Israel; Tony Benn; Keith Sonnet UNISON; Barry Camfield TGWU and Billy Hayes CWU 9:30 – 5:00pm Trades Union Congress House Great Russell Street, London WC1 Registration Fee:£15 with the PSC phone by credit card: 0207 700 6192 or send a cheque to:Trade Union Conference Organiser Palestine Solidarity Campaign Box BM PSA London WC1N 3XX tradeunions@palestinecampaign.org www.palestinecampaign.org Sun 12 March HASTINGS 'Women unit, you have nothing to loose but your handbags' a fabulous round-up of female performers compered by Kim Dale 7pm 'Pig in Paradise' Whiterock All welcome, female contributions from the floor. Contact 07973 484 202 Thurs 16 March LONDON Public meeting in support of the British residents detained in Guantanamo. Speakers include: Sarah Teather MP (Lib Dem, Brent East) Vanessa Redgrave (Actress and Human Rights Activist) Gareth Pierce (Detainees’ Lawyer) Zachary Katznelson (Reprieve). Representatives from the Save Omar Campaign and the detainees' families 7-9pm Gladstone Park Primary School, Sherrick Green Rd, NW10 (Tube: Dollis Hill (Jubilee Line), Bus: 226, 266, 302) more info, call 07930 564 781 or email: london_gitmo@yahoo.co.uk Thurs 16 March LONDON Milan Rai (JNV) stands trial at Bow Street Magistrates Court as the first person to Organize an unauthorized Demo in the restricted protest zone of Whitehall. Starts 10am Supporters welcome! Contact JNV 0845 458 9571 *Volunteers Needed* Sat 18 March LONDON National Demo called by STW We need volunteers to give out leaflets. Meet 12 noon, outside the Methodist Central Hall, SW1H 9NH (see map here: http://tinyurl.com/g7ogy). This is on the route! Tues 21 March BRIGHTON Citizens Weapons Inspections Organized by Smash Edo Meet bottom of Home Farm Road Moulescoomb 4pm Come with white suits etc to get in role All Welcome contact: 07891 405 923 Wed 12 April LONDON Book Launch '7/7 London Bombings, Islam and Iraq' By Milan Rai with Speaker Rachel North (7/7 Survivor) chaired by Maya Evans (JNV) Friends Meeting House Euston 7pm contact: 0845 458 9571 From info at j-n-v.org Sun Mar 26 10:03:19 2006 From: info at j-n-v.org (JNV) Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 10:03:19 +0100 Subject: [JNV] Mass Civil Disobedience 2 April Naming The Dead Message-ID: <13b7c1979c79b1c965b32b002f6d436a@j-n-v.org> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ----CA3006D2A0CCACA534AB0A7D9A07944A Content-Type: text/plain; charset="none" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear friends Below we are forwarding a message from Voices in the Wilderness concerning the immensely important act of mass civil disobedience which is to take place in London next Sunday, 2 April. JNV supports this action, and asks you to support and/or participate in any way that you can. We recommend that people considering participation in the action attend the workshop and legal briefing on Saturday, 1 April. Best wishes Maya Evans Milan Rai JNV *** [A] Remembering Fallujah, Resisting Occupation: Join Maya Evans, Jenny Jones and Jo Wilding for the first mass act of civil disobedience against the occupation of Iraq since the invasion. 12 noon, Sunday 2 April, Parliament Square. [B] Prop-making workshop for the mass act of civil disobedience on 2 April: Sunday 26 March, 2-4pm, Rampart Social Centre, 15-17 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA (off Commerical Road). [C] Nonviolent direct action (NVDA) workshop + legal briefing for the mass act of civil disobedience on 2 April: Saturday 1 April, London. 11.30 - 4.30 (NVDA workshop), 4.30 - 5.30pm (legal briefing). [D] Condoleeza Rice in Liverpool and Blackburn next week - protests organised for 31 March & 1 April. [E] Demonstration outside arms conference show-casing the new Paveway 4 'Precision Guided Bomb.' Thursday 30 March, 5.30 - 6.30pm, Selfridge Hotel, Orchard Street, London (nearest tubes Marble Arch, Bond Street). [F] The real "drones of death" (excerpt from the 45th Voices newsletter - see www.voicesuk.org) [G] Other upcoming events ********************************* [A] REMEMBERING FALLUJAH, RESISTING OCCUPATION Naming the Dead: Mass Civil Disobedience Against the Occupation of Iraq on the 2nd anniversary of the April 2004 US massacre in Fallujah. 12 noon, Sunday 2 April. Parliament Square. Organised by the Mass Action Group and supported by Nadje al-Ali, Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Pax Christi, Chumbawamba, Maya Evans, Hastings Against War, Iraq Occupation Focus, Ewa Jasiewicz, London Catholic Worker, Caroline Lucas MEP, Movement for the Abolition of War, Harold Pinter, Milan Rai, Sami Ramadani, Mark Thomas, Voices UK, Jo Wilding, the Wrexham Peace and Justice Forum, Haifa Zangana. "We buried many in the stadium for football until it became full. When you are burying you cannot stay long because [the Marines] will just shoot you" - Iraqi doctor working in Fallujah, April 2004 REMEMBERING FALLUJAH On 2 April 2004 US forces sealed off the Iraqi city of Fallujah in what became the first of two major assaults on the city. At least 572 civilians – including over 300 women and children – were killed in the subsequent siege (see www.rememberfallujah.org for more info). Fighter bombers were used to attack residential areas, US snipers targeted ambulances and at least one US battalion had 'orders to shoot any male of military age on the streets after dark, armed or not' (New York Times, 14 April). Since then, numerous other Iraqi towns and cities have been attacked by US-led forces for whom “mass detentions and indis-criminate torture appear to be the main tools” (Financial Times, 29 June 05). Thousands of Iraqis have been killed and tens of thousands forced to flee their homes. Hospitals have been attacked and white phosphorus used as a weapon. Unmanned Predator aircraft are now attacking targets in Iraq and Afghanistan "almost every day" (AP, 12 Dec 05). RESISTING OCCUPATION On Sunday 2 April 2006 hundreds of anti-war and peace activists - including Jo Wilding, who personally witnessed US war crimes in Fallujah in April 2004, and Maya Evans, who last Decemeber became the first person to be convicted of participating in an "unauthorised" demonstration within 1km of Parliament - will be gathering in Parliament Square for a mass act of civil disobedience, reading the names of 1,000 Iraqis who have died as a result of the invasion and occupation and demanding: • an immediate end to the US/UK military occupation of Iraq • massive reparations and debt cancellation so that Iraqis can rebuild their country free from foreign interference • prosecution of those responsible for war crimes PLEASE JOIN US. Wear black if possible and come prepared for a long ceremony and possible arrest. PLEASE NOTE: This is an “unauthorised” demonstration within 1km of Parliament. Under the new restrictions on protest contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April 2005) participation in such an event is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £1000. For more info come to the legal briefing or check back here shortly. There will be post action support for anyone arrested. A Nonviolent Direct Action Workshop & Legal Briefing will take place on Saturday 1 April - see [C] below. IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE WORKSHOP OR THE BRIEFING BUT CAN MAKE IT TO THE WORKSHOP VENUE FOR 5.30PM THERE WILL ALSO BE A SHORT RUN-THROUGH OF THE PLAN FOR SUNDAY'S EVENT THEN. For more info: voices@voicesuk.org or 0845 458 2564. *********************************** [B] PROP-MAKING WORKSHOP Where: RampArts Social Centre, 15-17 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA (off commerical road) When: 2-4pm (and possibily later as well). If you can lend a couple of hours to help paste-up some placards or paint a banner it would be greatly appreciated! Contact idiotbarnes@yahoo.com ******************************** [C] NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION WORKSHOP ON SATURDAY 1 APRIL. A Nonviolent Direct Action Workshop & Legal Briefing will take place on Saturday 1 April at The Front Studio, Diorama 1, 34 Osnaburgh St, London NW1. (tube Great Portland St). Times: 11.30am-4.30pm (NVDA workshop); 4.30pm-5.30pm (legal briefing). The workshop will be run by Seeds for Change (www.seedsforchange.org.uk). Please try and make this if you can! IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE WORKSHOP OR THE BRIEFING BUT CAN MAKE IT TO THE WORKSHOP VENUE FOR 5.30PM THERE WILL ALSO BE A SHORT RUN-THROUGH OF THE PLAN FOR SUNDAY'S EVENT THEN. ******************************** [D] CONDOLEEZA RICE IN LIVERPOOL AND BLACKBURN? THE NORTH WEST SAYS NO THANKS. ORGANISE YOUR TRANSPORT NOW. After the great success of last Saturday's national demonstration in London, anti-war activists are mobilising against the proposed visit of US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to the North West next week. Rice, who has been instrumental in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, is visiting the region as the personal guest of fellow warmonger, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who will be taking her on a tour of Blackburn and Liverpool next Thursday 30 March and Friday 31 March. This has caused outrage in Liverpool and Blackburn and demonstrations have been arranged by Merseyside Stop the War and by Blackburn Stop the War groups. The campaign is already having an impact. Liverpool poet Roger McGough, who was booked to perform for Condeleeza Rice, has withdraw following pressure from local anti-war activists. The leader of Liverpool Council has reduced his contact with Rice to one function and is under pressure to snub her completely. Check the national StWC website for details and updates. The national website will also carry details of coaches being booked to take people to Liverpool for the demonstration on Friday 31 March: www.stopwar.org.uk. A website has been set up by Blackburn STW group soecifically for the mobilisation against Rice: www.condiwatch.co.uk. Manchester STW have already booked coaches: CONTACT 07875 666239. Leeds STW has set up a telephone contact number for transport: CONTACT 07875 666239. All local groups planning to joing the Condeleeza Rice demonstrations should send us details of transport etc as soon as they have it, so we can post details on the Stop the War website. CALL TO ALL LONDON GROUPS There are plans to send coaches from London to the Liverpool demonstration on Friday 31 March. We are asking all London groups to contribute to the cost of coaches by agreeing to fund tickets, either to send their own supporters or else to sponsor students or the unwaged to go. The return ticket will cost #20. As an incentive, for every seat funded we will give a free copy of the new book NOT ONE MORE DEATH (see the Stop the War website for details - usual cost #5). Contact the national office now with the number of seats your group intends to sponsor: Telephone: 020 7278 6694 Email: office@stopwar.org.uk ******************************** [E] DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE ARMS CONFERENCE SHOWCASING THE NEW PAVEWAY 4 'PRECISION GUIDED BOMB' 5.30 - 6.30pm, Thursday 30 March. Selfridge Hotel, Orchard Street, London (nearest tubes Marble Arch, Bond Street). Org. by Smash Edo. On 30 March EDO MBM and Raytheon Systems will be showcasing the new Paveway 4 'Precision Guided Bomb' at the "Weapons System Integration Conference." Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or "drones of death" (see [E] below), will also be under discussion. Come and join the "precision guided" demo. outside the conference! ************************************ [F] THE REAL "DRONES OF DEATH" (excerpt from the 45th Voices newsletter - see www.voicesuk.org). The non-existent “threat” posed by Iraqi Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – once dubbed “drones of death” by the then UK Defence Secretary George Robertson (Telegraph, 20 Dec ’98) – was one of the many lies used to sell the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Ironically real “drones of death” are now being used around the world by the US - with British assistance. DAMADOLA At roughly 3am on 13 Jan the US fired a series of missiles into Damadola village in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province, killing between 13 and 18 people. Among the dead were five women and five children: Hussain Nawaz (5), Mehda Bibi (9), Sadiqa Bibi (10), Taib (9) and Zahidullah (7) (DAWN.com, 13 Jan). Pakistani journalists who interviewed local people said that all of the victims were civilians. The attack’s apparent target - al-Qaeda operative Ayman al-Zawahiri - was certainly not among the dead. Reports indicated that the missiles were fired from an unmanned Predator drone, probably operated by the CIA (Amnesty International, 31 Jan). A member of Parliament from a nearby village told the Observer that he had seen a drone surveying the area hours before the attack (15 Jan). Just a few days earlier a US helicopter, believed to have flown in from Afghanistan on the night of 7 Jan, had fired missiles into the house of a local cleric in Miranshah, North Waziristan, reportedly killing 8 people including 2 women and 2 children (AI, 31 Jan). Nine more were injured and ‘Pakistan media reported that US soldiers on board the helicopter had taken away at least two members of the family whose whereabouts remain unknown.’ Local people claimed that a US drone had hovered over the area for at least three days before the attack. BEYOND PAKISTAN These were not the first US attacks inside Pakistan. Similar strikes took place on 17 June 04 (killing 6 people including two local boys); 7 May 05; 5 Nov 05 (killing the wife and daughter of an alleged al-Qaeda operative and 6 others); and 1 Dec 05 (killing 5, including 2 children). Nor have such attacks been confined to Pakistan: in Oct 02, the US Defence Department ‘admitted for the first time that it was using armed drones to attack targets … [in] southern Iraq’ (BBC, 5 Nov 02); and on 4 Nov 02 six suspected al-Qaeda members were killed by a CIA drone in Yemen. In Dec 03 nine children and a 25-year-old man were killed in a strike from a Predator in the Afghan village of Hutala (NYT, 15 Jan) and according to the US airforce chief of staff Predator drones are now attacking targets in Iraq or Afghanistan “almost every day” (AP, 12 Dec). THE BRITISH CONNECTION 1 As at July 2005 forty-four RAF pilots and support staff were ‘embedded’ with the US Combined Joint Predator Task Force in Indian Springs, Nevada (http://tinyurl.com/elvyt) and an RAF-commanded crew are known to have undertaken at least one Predator strike, against insurgents in the Najaf area in late 04 (Flight International, 8 Feb 05). Furthermore, ‘images take by Predators as they fly across international airspace are beamed back to … RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire’ and ‘[i]t is believed that British defence intelligence officers work with their counterparts to analyse the data’ (Observer, 29 Jan). THE BRITISH CONNECTION 2 The computer boards that control the Predator drones are made in Towcester, Northamptonshire, by Radstone Technology (Tove Valley Business Park, NN12 6PF). Last year the Pentagon announced that it would spend $5.7bn over the next five years on drones (Reuters, 19 Mar 05) and in Aug 05 a US-based subsidiary of Britain’s biggest arms dealer, BAE Systems, was awarded a $5.4m Pentagon contract to provide a surveillance and reconnaissance system for the Predator (http://tinyurl.com/rl8rd). It is likely that, as in 2004, a Predator or its successor will be flown on display at the Farnborough International Air Show on 16-17 July (www.farnborough.com) – an event co-organised by the MoD that will also feature a UAV Pavilion. THE WELSH / ISRAELI CONNECTION In July 04 the UK opened a major UAV research centre at Aberporth in Wales, part-funded by money from the Welsh Development Agency. Though pitched as a research effort to expand civilian uses of UAVs, from Sept 05 Aberporth has been used to flight-test the Hermes 450 ‘Watchkeeper’ UAV - a collaboration between the MoD, Thales UK and Elbit, the leading Israeli UAV pioneer (http://tinyurl.com/zeow8). Watchkeeper is a purely military programme (http://tinyurl.com/z4gfb). THE BRITISH CONNECTION 4 A UK military programme has recently been evaluating Predators for purchase by the RAF, testing a Predator B (‘hunter-killer’) drone in the US between Nov 04 and February 05 (Air Force Monthly, Aug 05). Last July C4ISR Journal reported that the RAF was negotiating a deal to buy two Predator Bs for the 2006 British deployment to Afghanistan (http://tinyurl.com/elvyt). [Voices would like to thank Mike Lewis of Campaign Against Arms Trade (www.caat.org.uk) for generously providing most of the research for this article.] ************************************* [G] OTHER UPCOMING ANTI-WAR EVENTS EVERY MON-SAT, BRISTOL: PEACE VIGIL. Running since a few days after 9/11. 5.30-6.30pm (Mon-Fri) & 3-4pm (Sat). City Centre, opposite The Hippodrome, St. Augustines Parade. EVERY SUN, LONDON: FREEDOM TO PROTEST PICNICS in Parliament Square. In defence of the right to protest, recently criminalised under s132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April 2005). Bring food, drink and music to share. 1pm, Parliament Square, Westminster. For more info contact 0785 439 0408, marshall_darkness@hotmail.com or visit www.peopleincommon.org SECOND THURSDAY OR EVERY MONTH, LONDON: MONTHLY MEETING OF IRAQ OCCUPATION FOCUS. 7.30 - 9.30pm, Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, W1T 6AQ (nearest tube Warren Street). The dates for the this year's meetings are: 13 Apr, 11 May, 8 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug, 14 Sept, 12 Oct, 9 Nov and 14 Dec. See www.iraqoccupationfocus.org.uk. 26 MAR, LONDON: PRO-MAKING WORKSHOP FOR "NAMING THE DEAD" EVENT ON 2 APRIL. 2-4pm (and possibly beyond), Rampart Social Centre, 15-17 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA (off commerical road). Contact idiotbarnes@yahoo.com 27 MAR, LONDON: STOP DEPORTATIONS TO IRAQ. Organising meeting called by the Coalition to Stop Deportations. 7pm, Committee Room 2, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street. Contact Dashty Jamal (International Federation of Iraqi Refugees) 07734-704742 or sarahp107@hotmail.com. 29 MAR, LONDON: THE NIGHTMARE OF CONTROL ORDERS. Public meeting with Gareth Peirce (Solicitor), Doug Jewell (Liberty), Adrienne Burrows (Peace and Justice in East London), Makbool Javaid (HHUGS), Les Levidow (CAMPACC) and some victims of control orders. 6.30pm, Committee Room 3, House of Lords. www.campacc.org.uk. 30 MAR, LONDON: DEMO OUTSIDE THE "ADVANCED WEAPONS INTEGRATION CONFERENCE". 5.30pm, Selfridge Hotel, London. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, a.k.a "drones of death") will be high on the agenda of this military conference. Companies attending will include EDO MBM and Raytheon RSL. Bring banners, noise and anger... More info at 07891405923, smashedo@hotmail.com 30 MAR - 1 APR: PROTESTS AGAINST CONDOLEEZA RICE'S VISIT TO LIVERPOOL AND BLACKBURN. Demonstrations have already been organised in Liverpool on 31 Mar (meet 5pm on the steps of Liverpool Cathedral for a 7.30pm march to the Philharmonic Hall) and in Blackburn on the 1 Apri. See www.stopwar.org.uk. 31 MAR, LONDON: TRIAL OF ACTIVIST MARK BARRETT charged with taking part in an “unauthorised” demo in Parliament Square. 10am, Bow Street Magistrates Court. See www.peopleincommon.org. 1 APR, LONDON: BENEFIT EVENT FOR "PEOPLE IN COMMON" - the folk who hold the weekly picnics in Parliament Square (see above). Live music. 7pm - 2am, 21 Russell Square (next to SOAS). www.peopleincommon.org APRIL, AROUND THE COUNTRY: SPEAKING TOUR BY ACTIVIST MILAN RAI (author of Chomsky’s Politics and War Plan Iraq) on his new book 7/7: the London bombings, Islam and the Iraq war. Events include 5 Apr, Belfast; 10 Apr, Berwick-upon-Tweed; 11 Apr, Kendal; 12 Apr, London (see below); 13 April, Lewes (7.30pm, Newton Room at Southover Grange, 01273 473912); 19 Apr, Southampton University; 20 Apr, Yeovil; 23 Apr, Hereford; 29 Apr, Aberystwyth; 3 May, Stevenage; 18 May, Tower Hamlets. More info www.j-n-v.org or 0845 458 9571. 1 APRIL, BRIGHTON: PUBLIC MEETING on the New ‘Anti-terror’ Laws with Sagheer Hussan (lawyer for Stop Political Terror), Anne Costello (CAMPACC) and the brother of one of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay. 7 - 9.30pm. Friends Meeting House, Ship Street. 1 APRIL, LONDON: NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION WORKSHOP AND LEGAL BRIEFING with Seeds for Change (www.seedsforchange.org.uk). Front studio, Diorama 1, 34 Osnaburgh Street, London. 11.30am - 4.30pm (nonviolent direct action) and 4.30pm - 5.30pm (legal briefing). Org. by Voices. 2 APRIL, LONDON: NAMING THE DEAD: MASS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AGAINS THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ on the 2nd anniversary of the April 2004 US attack on Fallujah. 12 noon, Parliament Square. See http://tinyurl.com/orq9e). 3 APRIL, BRENT: PUBLIC MEETING WITH A MEMBER OF THE LONDON GUANTANAMO CAMPAIGN. 7.30pm, Trades and Labour Hall, 375 Willesden High Road NW10 (nearest station Dollis Hill). Org. by Brent STW. 4 APRIL, LONDON: IRAN: SECRETS AND LIES. Public meeting with author Milan Rai (War Plan Iraq and 7/7: The London Bombings, Islam and the Iraq War) and artist Emily Johns. 7.30pm, St Vincent’s Centre, Carlisle Place, Victoria, SW1P 1NL. Org. by Fellowship of Reconciliation, JNV and Pax Christi. See www.for.org.uk. 6 APRIL, LONDON: DEMO ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE ARMED FORCES. 5-7pm, outside the MoD main building in Whitehall. Org. by At Ease. www.atease.org.uk 7-21 APRIL, GLASGOW– LONDON: VANUNU FREEDOM (BICYCLE) RIDE from Faslane to London. Supporters welcome. 0845 4581965 or www.vanunufreedomride.org.uk 8 APRIL, LONDON: LONDON ANTI-WAR ACTION FORUM. Want to take action? Then the London Anti-war Action Forum – a bimonthly open space for people who want to organise (and take part in!) actions relating to the so-called “war on terror”- could be the place for you! The next forum will take place 2-5pm on Sat 8 April at the London Action Resource Centre, 62 Fieldgate St, Whitechapel, London E1 1ES. Contact Voices for more info. 12 APRIL: PUBLIC MEETING WITH MILAN RAI AND RACHEL NORTH (7/7 SURVIVOR). Part of a national speaking tour to coincide with the publication of Milan Rai’s new book (see here). 7-9pm, Friends Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, NW1 2BJ. Organised by JNV, Quaker Peace and Social Witness and Voices UK. 13 APRIL, GWENT: PRAYER SERVICE OUTSIDE MAIN GATE OF BAE SYSTEMS. Time tbc confirmed but will coincide with arrival of morning shift. Organised by Penarth Christian Network of CAAT. Info: 02920 711943. 22/23 APRIL, RUNYMEDE - LONDON: ALTERNATIVE ST GEORGE'S FREEDOM WEEKEND of actions and events to raise awareness about the need to repeal Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (which bans "unauthorised" demos within 1km of Parliament). Featuring a camp at Runymede and a revolutionary tea party in Parliament Square. www.peopleincommon.org or 0785 439 0408 28 APRIL - 1 MAY, ABERYSTWYTH: ABERYSTWYTH SOCIAL FORUM. 07767798601 or www.socialforumcymru.org.uk. 29 APRIL, LONDON: NETWORK FOR PEACE AGM on "Security, Civil Liberties and Peace." 10am - 5pm Brockway Room, Conway Hall, London WC1. All welcome 020 7 278 326. www.networkforpeace.org.uk 4 MAY, LONDON: AGM OF LEADING WAR PROFITEER BAE SYSTEMS who are currently working on a $3.5bn contract to refit the Bradley fighting vehicles being used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) inside and outside. For more info ring 020 7281 0297 or e-mail enquiries@caat.org.uk. See also http://www.caat.org.uk/ 18 MAY, LONDON: TALK BY MILAN RAI. Org. by Tower Hamlets Co-operative Party. latw@gn.apc.org. 22 JUNE, BRISTOL: BENEFORT GIG FOR BRISTOL STW with Attila the Stockbroker and David Rovics. bristolstopwar@hotmail.com. 26 AUG - 4 SEPT: CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION CAMP. www.climatecamp.org.uk