Stop the War coalition newsletter, 13/03/26

Newsletter 13/03/26

Fourteen days into the war on Iran and there’s no end in sight. With each day more people are killed and the conflict spreads. Over 2,000 have lost their lives so far, with UNICEF reporting that 1,100 children have been killed or injured. 

We must do all we can to mobilise against this illegal war. We are holding a national day of action on Saturday 21 March, and are asking all our groups to organise local protests, street stalls and petitioning sessions.

In central London there will be a demonstration on 21 March. The march last weekend was at least 30,000 strong. It’s important we make the next as big as possible.

UK involvement is becoming more apparent with US bombers being deployed from bases in the UK while more military personnel and hardware is being sent to the region. White House officials said the UK signalled before the first US-Israeli strikes hit Iran that support would be forthcoming if Tehran retaliated. So much for Starmer standing up to Trump. As a letter in The Guardian calling for an immediate end to the attacks on Iran and all UK participation.

Flying in the face of public opinion Starmer has committed the UK to this illegal war and to the US war machine. It’s up to us to turn public opposition into action and show the strength of feeling against this illegal war. Make sure you are on the streets next Saturday.

StW Annual Conference – TOMORROW

Our annual conference is taking place tomorrow Saturday (14 March).

As well as setting StW’s agenda for the coming year we will be discussing the escalating war in the Middle East, moves towards conscription across Europe, arms sales and military spending, and what’s next for Palestine. 

There are just a few tickets left. 

All groups, affiliated organisations and members (who joined before 31 January) may attend with speaking and voting rights. Non-members may come along as observers to listen to the discussion and analysis.

Together for Palestine Against the Far Right

The rise of the far right needs to be challenged. Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment was already on the rise in the UK before this latest war. Labour is adopting the rhetoric of Reform and we know that this will only get worse as we hurtle into another Middle East war. The Together march on 28 March needs to be as big as possible. 

Join the Palestine coalition feeder march as part of this important demonstration against the far right. Stand up for Palestine, protest the far right, Islamophobia and racism.

International Conference Against War

If this past week has proved anything it’s that we urgently need a strong international anti-war movement backed by trade unions and activists. 

More and more trade union branches are supporting the conference. Make sure yours is one of them.

The world is moving towards global conflict and military spending has reached highs not seen for decades. Conscription is on the rise and is being talked about here and introduced in a growing number of European countries. We must take action. Join us on Saturday 20 June at Westminster Central Hall.

This week’s anti-war briefing