Stop the War coalition Newsletter 03/03/23

Posted: 3rd March 2023

Newsletter – 03/03/23

Iraq – 20 Years On: A War That Should Never Have Happened

The invasion of Iraq launched twenty years ago by George Bush and Tony Blair was a catastrophe for the Iraqi people and had a disastrous impact across the Middle East and beyond. It led to a million deaths, the displacement of millions more, the destabilisation of the region and a deep anger against the Western powers across whole areas of the globe.

It also generated the biggest anti-war movement in history.

Stop the War is marking the anniversary of the war with an evening of remembrance and analysis from Iraqi activists and other leading anti-war figures including Lowkey, Sami Ramadani, Raghad Al-Tikriti, Tariq Ali and Lindsey German.

Thousands marched through central London last Saturday calling for peace now in Ukraine, to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion. The march, organised by Stop the War and CND, assembled outside the BBC and ended with a rally in Trafalgar Square. Jeremy Corbyn addressed the protestors at the start of the rally demanding the big powers end their escalation and work for serious negotiations to stop the fighting and the killing.

Despite a tiny counter protest supporting the war, marchers got a good reception on the streets as they chanted for peace and against escalation by Western powers and Russia.

Over the course of weekend there were hundreds of protests, large and small, for peace across Europe, expressing growing opposition to the war around the continent. The emergence of a European movement against the war in Ukraine, co-operating under the banner of Europe For Peace, is an important step forward. In the dangerous months ahead, the movement urgently needs to be widened and deepened.

In the UK that means organising stalls, meetings and rallies locally. We’re encouraging all our groups and activists to organise events calling for peace in Ukraine in the next few months. If you want to build the anti-war movement in your area don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Yes, I want to build the anti-war movement in my area

Demo Fundraiser

Putting on a demonstration in central London costs a significant amount of money. So for the final time we’re asking all those in a position to do so to contribute to those costs by donating to our fundraiser…

Yes, I’ll Chip In

Brian Haw Memorial Fundraiser

To honour the personal sacrifice of Brian Haw in the name of peace, a group of supporters and friends, including fellow campaigner Michael Culver and actor Mark Rylance, has formed to create a permanent reminder of his work and character.

They’re appealing to members of the public to contribute in order to raise the £50,000 required to cover the costs of the creation and installation of the statue. Are you able to donate?

Donate Now

Supporting the Strikes on 15 March

We’re continuing our support for striking workers on 15 March when teachers, civil servants, train drivers, junior doctors and more are taking action to stand up to the Tories’ efforts to drive millions into poverty and wreak our public services.

The NEU have organised a march which will assemble in Hyde Park at 12 noon and march to Trafalgar Square. We’ll be joining them, demanding cuts to the military budget, not our education services.

If you’re able to help us out on the day just click the button below – we’ll be meeting at 11am at Speakers Corner.