Stop the War coalition Newsletter 15.9.23

Newsletter – 15/09/23

Stop the Attacks on the Anti-War Movement – Join Stop the War

The anti-war movement is under attack again. This week, the TUC Congress voted through a composite resolution spearheaded by the GMB union which effectively backed the Tories’ policy of supplying weapons to Ukraine and prolonging the war there.

The resolution called for moral and material support for the defence of Ukraine and failed to mention the massive involvement of NATO powers which has turned the conflict into a proxy war against Russia. The day after the Congress former Labour Party advisor Andrew Fisher wrote a dishonest article in the I newspaper attacking the Stop the War Coalition and demanding that we disband.

Stop the War will of course do no such thing. As the terrible war grinds on in Ukraine and the threats of conflict with China grow, our plan is the opposite; to strengthen and expand the movement over the months ahead. Amongst other things, we are planning to roll out a series of anti-war meetings around the country and to organise a big anti-war bloc at the demonstration against the Tory party in Manchester on 1 October.

To do this we need your support and participation. That is why we are asking you to join Stop the War today. Our only funding comes from members and supporters. By joining you add to our regular income but you also become part of what Jeremy Corbyn has called ‘one of the most important democratic campaigns of modern times’.

Protest the Tory Party Conference – Wages Not War Bloc

If we want security it should start with a decent housing, health and education spending – not weapons of mass destruction. That’s why we’re organising a Wages Not War bloc at the People’s Assembly Tory Party Conference Protest in Manchester on 1st October, alongside CND. Assemble: Oxford Road, Manchester at Midday.

We’re also hosting a Peace Now: Against A World at War public meeting as part of The People’s Assembly Festival of Resistance on Sat 30 Sept at 4.30pm in the PA Marquee in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester. Speakers will include Mohammad Asif (Afghan Human Rights Foundation), Lindsey German (StWC Convenor), Alex Gordon (RMT President), Laura Pidcock (PA National Secretary) and Tom Unterrainer (CND Chair).

Campaigning Against A World at War – Stop the War 2023 AGM

Stop the War’s 2023 AGM is tomorrow!

We’ll be joined by Brian Eno (Stop the War President), Clare Daly MEP and Mick Wallace MEP, Alex Gordon (RMT President) and Claudia Webbe MP, in addition to hearing from StW Convenor Lindsey German, our Chair Shelly Asquith and Deputy President Andrew Murray.

The AGM is where our Steering Committee, Chair, Convenor and Treasurer are all elected and where our policy and campaigning priorities are discussed and decided. With the ongoing bloodbath in Ukraine and the increasingly dangerous risk of escalation, this discussion could hardly be more urgent.

All Stop the War members are entitled to attend and vote. You must have joined as a member prior to 31 July 2023.

This Week’s Anti-War Briefing