Norwich Stop the War Coalition
From Nstwcwiki
[edit] Current Events of the NSTWC
[edit] NSTWC steering committee meeting, Wed 11th Jan 2012, 7:30pm, Wensum Lodge.
Meeting of the NSTWC steering committee. Open to newcomers.
[edit] Don't Attack Iran - Public Meeting - Thu Jan 19th 2012, 7.30 pm, The Curve
SPEAKERS:
- JEREMY CORBYN MP (National Chair Stop the War Coalition)
- IAN GIBSON (Former Norwich MP)
at THE CURVE in THE FORUM Millennium Plain, Norwich Thursday 19th January at 7.30pm All welcome - Voluntary collection
The Iraq and Afghanistan wars proved unpopular, yet this year, Britain bombed Libya. Now the drums are beating for Iran. The government lied its way into the war with Iraq. Act NOW to stop a catastrophic attack on Iran.
DON’T MAKE IRAN ANOTHER IRAQ
It is reported that plans are being drawn up for an attack on Iran. The case being made for war is based on a series of speculations about 'undisclosed nuclear-related activities' reminiscent of the disproved 'intelligence' about weapons of mass destruction used to justify the disastrous attack on Iraq. The West's attitude to Iran's nuclear weapons is hypocritical and contradictory. The US and its allies remain silent about Israel's covert nuclear arsenal, the only one in the Middle East, while they are tightening the campaign of sanctions against Iran without real evidence. Israel is the biggest proponent of an attack on Iran. The US is already flooding the Gulf region with arms and increasing its forces deployed in support of the autocracies in the Gulf. Simply ending its militaristic posture towards Iran would ease tensions dramatically. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have had disastrous consequences including the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the displacement of millions. Any attack on Iran would risk a wave of destruction across the region. Plans for an attack, along with sanctions against Iran, should be scrapped immediately. The British government must pledge to have no Involvement in any military action against Iran, including not allowing Diego Garcia to be used as a launch pad for air strikes.
Get more information from:
Nick 07717 504210 / Frank 01493664499
http://www.norwichstopwar.org.uk, email: info@norwichstopwar.org.uk
[edit] Reports on Events
[edit] What local people think on relevant local and global issues: The One World Blog
The One World Column raises issues such as international development, social justice, globalisation, peacemaking, human rights, international relations and the environment. Our six columnists intend to provide a positive voice for the future and to represent a wide group of concerned Norfolk people. We welcome feedback and healthy debate! http://oneworldcolumn.blogspot.com/
[edit] Public Meeting followed by Steering Committee Meeting, Wed 20th July, 6.30pm for 7:00 pm, Lili coffee Cafe
Guest Speaker: David Harrold
Chair of Trustees of Palestine Trauma Centre and Palestine Solidarity Campaign member
David entered Gaza at Xmas with Mohamed (from Gaza) and Andrew, Training director of Palestine Trauma Centre, where they witnessed F16 attacks.
Venue: Lili Coffee Cafe, Sackville Place, 44 - 48 Magdalen Street, Norwich
(Car Parking nearby)
[edit] Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts Rally, December 4th 2010
Photo: David Willis
Over a thousand people including Trades Unions and supporting organisations joined the march and rally from Chapelfield Gardens into central Norwich and back. Speakers included Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy Leader, Andrew Murray, Chair, National Stop the War Coalition and Liam McCafferty, National Union of Students (UEA). The march proceeded into Theatre Street and through the crowds in Gentleman's Walk and was cheered as it passed the Fire Station on Bethel Street. Norwich Stop the War supporters were joined by Kings Lynn Stop the War and the coalition of demonstrators in a powerful feeling of solidarity and purpose. Andrew Murray condemned the human and financial cost of the war in Afghanistan as 'an obscenity' calling on the government to withdraw the troops now and called on everyone to join the national demonstration against the cuts proposed for next March. Watch a video of the rally here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Vj0wpfvVM Norwich Evening News: http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/anti_cuts_protest_march_takes_place_in_norwich_1_745963
and Anglia TV's version complete with obligatory adverts:http://www.itv.com/anglia/hundreds-protest-cuts90925/
[edit] Time to Go - No to Nato - London Demonstration, November 20th
On Saturday morning demonstrators left Norwich by coach with the essential message 'Cut the War Not Public Services ' to join the thousands marching through London to rally at Trafalgar Square. The demonstrators were representative of the 70% of the population who oppose the war and want withdrawal of the UK forces. On the raw November afternoon numerous speakers addressed the throng, including John Hilary from War on Want; Bruce Kent, Vice-President for MAW (Movement for the Abolition of War) speakers from students against the war and Kate Hudson chair of CND. Andrew Murray, chair of national Stop the War Coalition, presided and Lindsey German, convener, called for the immediate withdrawal of troops, condemning the £12bn cost of the war, the cuts to education and the loss of lives of Afghan civilians. A spokesperson from Military Families Against War decried the human cost within the forces. The rally followed the Nato conference in Lisbon for setting the withdrawal date which was described by Guardian columnist Seumas Milne as a 'sham'. The coach journey was inspired by speeches from Nick O'Brien from the Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts and Frank Stone, convener Norwich Stop the War Coalition, who both called on the demonstrators to support the forthcoming rally in Chapelfield Gardens: 'Defend our Services.' The rally will be at noon on Saturday December 4th. Andrew Murray, who is also senior communications officer for Unite Union, will be speaking along with former Norwich North MP, long time supporter of Norwich Stop the War and Evening News columnist Ian Gibson. Watch the video of the London March 'Cut Warfare not Welfare': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGyU2wp5X1w And Jack Brindelli's excellent film of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NS9JReTEYs&feature=player_embedded
and Nicola appeared on Channel 4 News: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid601325122001?bclid=0&bctid=682473653001
all in all a good day for media coverage!
[edit] Gaza Freedom March
Peter Offord, former President of Norwich Stop the War Coalition, on a training day in London, November 2009, before travelling to Gaza with supplies to join the Gaza Freedom March, http://www.gazafreedommarch.org/article.php?list=type&type=416].
Some of the UK group at training in London, from left to right: Andrew Enever, Training Director, Palestine Trauma Centre(PTC UK); Alex Harrison, International Solidarity Movement returning to Palestine and Gaza; Peter, ambulance driver; front row: Mitsy, ex-officio counsellor, back row: Sameera Palestinian returning to visit, Peter, Human rights and NGO worker; Peter Offord, art therapist and city councillor; David Harrold, PTC UK Chair of Trustees.
The group arrived in Cairo during Christmas 2009 and the Egyptian authorities threatened that they were closing the Rafah crossing, in southern Gaza, until January and cancelled all coach transport. This would deny entry to the 1300 internationals hoping to enter Gaza with supplies and to express their support to the people of Gaza.
The Egyptian authorities finally allowed a contingent of 100 internationals to enter Gaza; Peter Offord, as an art therapist, was allowed in.
Peter received generous support from the people of Norfolk enabling him to take materials on his visit to the Palestine Trauma Centre in Gaza in which he was successful, arriving on 28th December 2009.
Following a briefing session Peter handed over art materials for therapy sessions and donations from the people of Norfolk to a senior psychiatrist at the Palestine Trauma Centre, Gaza.
For a full description of the event follow the link to the published document: 'Gaza: politics, art and therapy'
Media:Gazapoliticsartandtherapy.pdf
A video of the 'Gaza Freedom March' can be found at youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8VfCd5emx4
Peter also kept us updated on his blog:
http://petroff-riverofpeace.blogspot.com
click this link for The Greenview article: The Gaza Freedom March:
http://www.greenworld.org.uk/Past%20Editions/page249/page243/page243.html
[edit] Campaign against the War on Terror
[edit] No to racism - defend civil liberties - stop the war
[edit] Don't attack Iran
Norwich Stop the War Coalition condemns any military action against Iran and will organise protests against this - in the event of a military strike we will meet to protest at 6:00 PM at the steps of the City Hall.
[edit] FAQ about the Norwich Stop the War Coalition.
Please follow the link to the FAQ (frequently asked questions) page.
