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04-Nov-2004

Stop the attacks on Iraq's cities (LONDON/MANCS ACTIONS)

by: Peace News

Leaving a message at Welford. Details from stencil action at British Foreign office, 3 November 2004. (http://www.mollycooperphotos.net)..
PHOTO: Berkshire CIA/Molly Cooper ,

London: It has been a busy week for anti-war activists in London and further afield.
On Sunday a groups of activists roamed the streets talking to passers-by and carrying out the odd strategic die-in. Response from the public was reported to be very positive.

Their walkabout ended with one activist sitting atop the gates of Downing Street (Tony Blair's formal residence).

On Tuesday hundreds turned out to "name the dead" as part of a worldwide series of events to remember all those (civilians and soldiers) killed since the invasion began (see earlier report at http://www.peacenews.info/news/article/284).

On Wednesday an anti-war protester was arrested outside the Foreign Office in Whitehall in a dramatic visual protest against the imminent attacks on Fallujah (see image detail)

After climbing onto the side of the Foreign Office building next to the gates of Downing Street, the protestor stencilled "Don't Attack Fallujah, Black Watch Out" onto the wall and splashed it with fake blood.

He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and is due to appear in court next week.

Shortly before being detained, the protester, Milan Rai, said: "Today is a day of fear for the people of Fallujah. They need our active solidarity."

On the same day, two activists broke into USAF Welford in Berkshire - the biggest bomb store in europe. The base was used extensively during the invasion of Iraq, providing the bobs dropped by US B52s and B1s which were based at USAF Fairford last year.

In a press statement the two said their action was in protest at US plans to launch a new attack on the Iraqi town of Fallujah.

"We want to send the message to George Bush that the world will not sit back and let him get away with more war crimes in Fallujah. If US forces enter Fallujah they will not only face resistance from the Iraqi people but from anti-war activists like us who will take whatever non-violent action we can to oppose the assault.
Just because Bush has won the election it doesn’t mean the protests are going to stop."

What YOU can do

1. Join the emergency action THIS Sunday (7 November). meet parliament Square, central London at 2pm. bring white flowers and "protest in your own way".
2. Participate in training for NVDA in the event of an attack and equip yourself with the skills to organise and take part in NVDA and civil disobedience. 14 November 11am-4pm. 7a RampART social centre, London E1. organised by Voices UK (0845 458 2564).
3. Read the generic "you are not powerless" leaflet (see http://www.gn.apc.org/action/peaceleaflet.html) for more ideas about what you can do.

For more, use this link http://www.voices.netuxo.co.uk/actnow.htm

CONTINGENCY PLAN

If the massive attack starts, here are two things to do:
1. Stop the War coalition-organised vigil. Demo in the night (or night after) 5-7pm opposite Downing Street. See http://www.stopwar.org.uk
2. NVDA - London. Meet at Edith Cavell statue (opposite St Martin the Fields) 7pm. Called by ad-hoc NVDA-ers.
3. Manchester - meet 5-7pm Picadilly Gardens, Manchester city centre

Source: Voices UK