The New Dark Age

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) THOUSANDS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST AFGHAN WAR
2) NEXT STEPS FOR THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT
3) MPS AFGHANISTAN PUBLIC MEETING
4) ADRIAN MITCHELL: A CELEBRATION IN WORDS & MUSIC
5) FUND PUBLIC SERVICES NOT WAR: CONFERENCE
6) JOURNALS OF BRITISH PHOTOGRAPER KILLED IN GAZA
7) DECEMBER 11: A DAY FOR SHAKER AAMER

1) THOUSANDS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST AFGHAN WAR

Congratulations to the thousands who marched last Saturday to bring the troops home from Afghanistan. And many thanks to all those who have sent messages of support to Stop the War, CND and the BMI for organising what was a very diverse, vibrant and angry demonstration.

The march was led by military families and Steve Barnes, who lost his son in Afghanistan in 2008, gave one of the day’s most moving speeches, saying he didn’t want any more families — Afghan or British — to go through what he had suffered. (A selection of other speakers can be heard here: bit.ly/fQM35l )

One noticeable feature of the demonstration was the large turnout from college and school students.

Much of the British mainstream terrestrial media ignored the demonstration, but the online coverage was excellent and we have posted a selection of the videos which capture the spirit of the day here: bit.ly/g7fxJZ

The Daily Mail had a good report with some great photos, which can be read here: bit.ly/ggB2Fe

2) NEXT STEPS FOR THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT

The lies and spin that came out of Nato’s Lisbon conference were proof yet again — if any were needed — that the work of the anti-war movement remains as necessary as ever.

While Obama, Cameron and other Nato leaders talked of “progress” and “successes” that will enable the gradual withdrawing of troops to begin next year, the military keep letting the cat out of the bag.

In Britain, army chief General Sir David Richards says the war could go on for decades.

In the US, the Pentagon admits that progress is “uneven”, with violence increasing over the past few months and the attempt to push back the Taliban in their Kandahar and Helmond strongholds having only marginal impact.

The Pentagon also confirms that the linchpin of Nato’s “exit strategy” — to train and deploy 350,000 Afghan troops and police to take over the occupation of their own country in the interests of US strategic aims — is running aground. Retention levels of recruits are abysmal.

In this context, the role of the anti-war movement is still of paramount importance in keeping up the pressure on politicians to respond to the overwhelming majority in Britain who want the troops home now.

Stop the War is organising an open discussion in London on 30 November to discuss how we take the campaign forward and how the many new supporters of Stop the War can get involved. The meeting is open to all. Join us, if you can.

NEXT STEPS FOR THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT OPEN DISCUSSION. ALL WELCOME. TUESDAY 30 NOVEMBER, 6.00 PM CONWAY HALL, RED LION SQUARE LONDON WC14 4RL Nearest tube Holborn For further information: Email office@stopwar.org.uk or call 020 7801 2768

3) MPS AFGHANISTAN PUBLIC MEETING

The cross-party parliamentary group of MPs, titled the Afghanistan Withdrawal Group, which was set up to campaign in the House of Commons for all British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan, and is chaired by Caroline Lucas MP and Paul Flynn MP, holds its second briefing meeting on 7 December, open to all MPs and the general public.

The discussion, titled Afghanistan: Counting the Dead, will be led by John Sloboda, founder of Iraq Body Count, who recently collaborated with the Guardian newspaper and others to provide analysis and commentary on the Iraq War Logs released by Wikileaks.

PUBLIC MEETING: AFGHANISTAN: COUNTING THE DEAD Briefing by the Parliamentary Afghanistan Withdrawal Group Chair: Paul Flynn MP Speaker: John Sloboda, co-founder of Iraq Body Count TUESDAY 7 DECEMBER 2010 7.00PM TO 8.30PM COMMITTEE ROOM 9, HOUSE OF COMMONS, LONDON SW1A 0AA (Nearest tube Westminster)

4) ADRIAN MITCHELL: A CELEBRATION IN WORDS & MUSIC

On Friday 10 December, the Wonderful Beast Theatre Company is performing a show in London to celebrate the life of Adrian Mitchell, one of the best-loved, funny, passionate and political poets, who was an active supporter of Stop the War Coalition from its founding in 2001 until his death on 20 December 2008. Tickets are on sale and are already selling fast, so book now to avoid disappointment.

FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER 7.30PM ST GILES IN THE FIELDS 60 ST GILES STREET, LONDON WC2H 8LG

FOR FULL DETAILS AND BOOKING: bit.ly/aUjYs6

5) FUND PUBLIC SERVICES NOT WAR: CONFERENCE

The Coalition of Resistance Conference Against Cuts and Privatisation on Saturday 27 November is supported by Stop the War Coalition.

The conference will bring together MPs, trade unions, community groups, political, parties, campaigning and pensioner organisations to discuss forming a national coalition of resistance to the government’s plans to decimate public services.

Stop the War’s national conference in October voted to support campaigns that oppose the cuts, noting that huge sums will continue to be wasted on military expenditure — such as the war in Afghanistan and the Trident missile system — at the same time that services are being slashed for the poorest and most vulnerable people who depend on them.

Speakers at the Coalition of Resistance include Tony Benn, John McDonnell MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, singer Billy Bragg, Bob Crow (RMT), film director Ken Loach, Mark Serwotka (PCS), Jeremy Dear (NUJ), Heather Wakefield (UNISON), Dot Gibson (National Pensioners Convention) and students who are leading the current campaign against education cuts.

Lindsey German, Andrew Murray and Kate Hudson from CND, all of whom are officers of Stop the War Coalition, will also speak at the conference.

FULL DETAILS & HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE ARE HERE: bit.ly/e7TxPf

6) JOURNALS OF BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHER KILLED IN GAZA

In Gaza in April 2003, Tom Hurndall, a young British photojournalist and peace worker, was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier, when carrying Palestinian children to safety.

His Middle East journals will soon be published and on Friday 26 November, from 4.00pm, there will be a live streaming of an online panel discussion by people who know Tom’s story.

For further details and how to register to watch the panel discussion, go to: bit.ly/hSrEk0

7) DECEMBER 11: A DAY FOR SHAKER AAMER

Shaker Aamer is the last British resident to be held in Guantanamo prison. He has been held without charge for eight years. For background to his case, go to: bit.ly/ekF0Sc

December 11 has been made a day for Shaker, and includes a demonstration, public meeting and film showing. Contributors include Moazzam Begg, Ken Livingstone, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Kate Hudson, Lindsey German, Victoria Brittain, Anas AlTakriti, Gareth Pierce, Yvonne Ridley and Wayman Bennett.

For a timetable for the day, go to: bit.ly/fLdIC9

Email office@stopwar.org.uk Tel: 020 7801 2768 Web: stopwar.org.uk Twitter: twitter.com/STWuk Facebook: www.facebook.com/stopthewarcoalition