Stop the War coalition Newsletter

Newsletter 06/02/26

 Defend the Right to Protest 

The acquittal of six of the Filton24 pro-Palestine activists earlier this week and their release from prison after 17 months is a significant victory for the right to protest. The verdict undermines the government’s line that the Palestine activists were violent terrorists. It is beyond time the remaining activists were released, all charges dropped and that the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation be overturned. 

Similarly the charges against Ben Jamal, Chris Nineham, Alex Kenny and Sophie Bolt, all leaders of the Palestine movement, must be dropped. Charged over a year ago for peacefully protesting against genocide, Chris and Ben’s court hearing begins later this month (23 February), with Alex and Sophie’s shortly after.

On Thursday 12 February, we are holding a public meeting (7pm at SOAS in Central London) to discuss the implications these cases have on the Palestine movement and on our right to protest. If you are in London please come along.

Speakers include actor Juliet Stevenson, Yanis Varoufakis, Chris Nineham, Ben Jamal and Katy Watts from Liberty. 

Please also join us on the first morning of the trial, Monday 23 February, when we will be outside Westminster Magistrates Court in solidarity with Chris and Ben and demanding the charges against them be dropped. 

The reverberations of this trial will impact not just on our ability to protest for Palestine but on our right to protest more generally. 

The hearing takes place while the government’s new legislation to further restrict protest is going through Parliament. The proposed restrictions will effect everyone who wants to take a stand, whether it’s strike action or protesting government policy. So come along, bring your trade union banner and stand up for your democratic rights. 

Stop Trump’s Drive to War 

The Trump war drive is ongoing. Clearly any US-led war on Iran would be catastrophic both for Iran and the wider region, and the world holds its breath while talks go on. Meanwhile in Latin America Trump is pushing for regime change through vicious sanctions on Cuba, and other Latin American countries await the President’s next move. 

The expiration of the nuclear treaty between Russia and the US on Thursday removed significant constraints on US and Russia’s nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than half a century. At the same time the UK is proposing a significant expansion of its nuclear capabilities. Is it any surprise the Doomsday Clock was set at 85 seconds to midnight just a few days ago, the closest the Clock has ever been to midnight in its history?

With a dangerous and deeply unpredictable president in the White House and a sycophantic British prime minister wedded to his side, the world has  never been more precarious. With this is mind StW has been organising public meetings up and down the country on Trump’s drive to war.

So far we have meetings in:

• Tower Hamlets, London – 11 February
• Hackney, London – 18 February
• Doncaster - 28 February
• our events page. If you would like to arrange a meeting in your area do get in touch and we will do what we can to help. 

  
  

  On Saturday 28 February there’s also a national demonstration – Stop British Nuclear Jets, being organised by CND at RAF Marham, Kings Lynn.

  
  

  And don’t forget to sign our petition demanding US military gets out of Britain. Please consider holding petitioning sessions in town centres, at transport hubs, train stations and at universities. You can download and print the petition here.

Workplace Day of Action for Palestine - Thursday 12 February

The workplace day of action is almost here – Thursday 12 February. We are asking as many of our supporters as possible to join and take action for Palestine. Actions may be big or small. Examples include bake sales, wearing a Free Palestine badge to work, or organising lunchtime meetings, film showings, talks or rallies. 

Do what you can to ensure Palestine is not forgotten. Take pictures of your action and send to us or tag us on social media @stwuk.

International Conference Against War

Tickets are selling fast and a growing number of of trade union branches have already passed the motion supporting the International Peace Conference on 20 June. We now have the support of four national unions, the NEU, RMT, PCS and BFAWU, and expect more to follow. 

If you haven’t got your tickets or passed the motion in your trade union branch do so now!

StW annual conference

Our national conference is on 14 March. This conference is wheredecisions are made about StW’s programme for the coming year. It is also where our Steering Committee is elected. You do not need to be a member to attend the conference, although you must be either a member or delegate to vote. 

Register now to hear the discussion and analysis. Confirmed speakers include Jeremy Corbyn MP, Maryam Eslamdoust TSSA General Secretary, Professor Paul Rogers, French MP Jérôme Legavre and Convenor of StW Lindsey German. More to be announced.

Saturday 14 March

 11:00 – 17:00

 Hamilton House, London, WC1H 9BD

This week’s anti-war briefing