News from National CND Formal complaint made about Met chief over Nakba demonstration smears

With just a week to go until the crucial Nakba commemoration march in London on 16 May, the Palestine Coalition has made a formal complaint to the Mayor of London about Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley. The legal letter refers to recent antisemitic smears Rowley made in the media about our movement and the over 30 peaceful marches for Palestine rights we have organised since October 2023.

 
Rowley’s shameful overreach followed the three stabbings perpetrated by suspect Essa Sulieman last week, which included two Jewish men in Golders Green. These horrific attacks were quickly followed by attempts from some politicians and sections of the media to falsely characterise our movement and to call for our peaceful protests to be suppressed.

You can read the full letter which outlines Rowley’s claims and calls for him to fully retract and apologise for them here. Please share!

All to London on 16 May!

These latest attacks on the Palestine Coalition come ahead of the Nakba demonstration – which commemorates the violent displacement and oppression inflicted on the Palestinian people since 1948. While this is an annual event, the Met Police has also allowed for a mobilisation called by Tommy Robison to take place that day – effectively handing Central London over to the far right.

That’s why this year’s Nakba commemoration is also being supported by Stand Up To Racism. Join us in a massive demonstration of unity for those who believe in the universal principles of freedom, justice and equality!

• Saturday, 16 May 
• Assemble 12 noon, Exhibition Road, London
• March route and latest information here

International Peace Conference: Book your ticket today!

CND is proud to be supporting the International Peace Conference being organised by Stop the War Coalition, which will bring hundreds of peace campaigners and trade unionists to London on Saturday, 20 June.

This conference couldn’t come at a more crucial time as European governments push a massive rearmament drive and plan for the introduction of conscription – all while showing a complete failure of leadership when it comes to opposing Donald Trump’s agenda which is driving conflicts around the world.

Attendees will be joined by leading anti-war figures, trade unionists, MPs, and human rights campaigners. The previous International Peace Conference held in Paris last October was a massive success – so don’t delay! Buy your ticket today!

• Saturday, 20 June 
• Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, London, SW1H 9NH
• Doors open 12:00 noon, conference 13:00 – 17:00

For the latest information, agenda, and speakers, click here.

Find a nationwide screening of ‘Our Planet, The People, My Blood’ near you

Following a successful world premiere in London in March, the powerful documentary about the global legacy of nuclear testing, ‘Our Planet, The People, My Blood’, will be appearing in cinemas this month. These include a series of special Q&A events taking place across the country.

During the making of this film, Daniel Everitt-Lock interviewed victims of nuclear testing and their descendants from the Marshall Islands, Australia, the US, as well as British service personnel who were exposed to British nuclear tests in the South Pacific and Western Australia. The documentary also follows a descendant of an atomic test veteran, Alan Owen, on his journey taking on the Ministry of Defence, in a landmark legal battle that seeks recognition and compensation for millions.

For those in London, CND General Secretary Sophie Bolt will be on the Q&A panel for a screening at The Lumiere in Romford on 14 May. 

You can find the full list of Q&A screenings and buy your ticket here