Lambeth Stop the War

Lambeth Stop the War launches 'Don't Attack Iran' campaign with day of action in Brixton

2012-02-14T08:57:00.002Z

On Saturday 11th February, Lambeth Stop the War took to the streets of Brixton, South London, as part of a national day of action against war with Iran.

Iran has not attacked another country in over 200 years. There is no evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, and they have the right to develop civilian nuclear power. Simply put, Iran does not pose an offensive threat to the US, Britain or its allies. As well as being thoroughly unjust and immoral, war with Iran would have devastating consequences for people throughout the region as well as lay the basis for further attacks on welfare and civil liberties in the West. Lambeth Stop the War is resolutely against any attack against Iran, including the ongoing use of sanctions and assassinations.

To help launch a national campaign against such attacks, Lambeth Stop the War was in Brixton on Saturday 11th February campaigning and talking to local residents. The response to the campaign was overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority of people we spoke to against the idea of war with Iran. In just over one hour, we had filled out all of our petition sheets and one of our activists had to return home to collect more. The large map of the Middle East we had with us, marked with US military presence surrounding Iran, received much attention and highlighted the absurdity of castigating Iran as an 'aggressor' nation. Activists with the group also conducted vox pop interviews with members of the public on the Iran question, and we will be releasing a video of the interviews and the day of action on www.lambeth-stopwar.org soon.

Don't Attack Iran day of action

2012-02-08T20:13:00.001Z

Lambeth Stop the War will be taking part in a national day of action against the possibility of war with Iran this Saturday, 11th February 2012. Find us at 10am outside Brixton tube station.

Lambeth activists meeting: Monday 6th February

2012-01-31T20:12:00.000Z

Following the launch of the Don't Attack Iran campaign, Saturday 11 February has been designated a national day of action, with events organised in London and around the country by local Stop the War groups.

Lambeth Stop the War will be having an activists meeting next Monday (February 6th) to plan for the 11th, at 7.30pm in Clapham Methodist Church (just off Clapham High Street, map here)
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IRAN: TEN REASONS TO PROTEST AGAINST WAR AND SANCTIONS
NO THREAT. Iran has not attacked any country in more than 200 years. Its military spending per capita is among the lowest in the region. The regime has allowed inspections and agreed to negotiate with the West on all issues. Current Western rhetoric recalls the Iraq war, when a threat was fabricated to justify an attack.
DOUBLE STANDARDS. Many of the West's allies, including Israel, have nuclear weapons. There is no evidence that Iran is developing them, as last year's IAEA report made clear. Iran, unlike Israel and Pakistan, is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, under which it has the right to develop civilian nuclear power.
SANCTIONS LEAD TO WAR. As the recent military standoff has shown, sanctions are increasing tension and distrust. They will strengthen the hawks in Iran. In Iraq, sanctions resulted in a genocidal level of civilian casualties and brought nothing but death and suffering to the Iraqi people. Sanctions were not a stepping stone to peace, but to war.
CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. Any attack on Iran will lead to thousands of casualties and provoke retaliation with devastating effects across the region. Sanctions and war will drive up the cost of oil, creating further havoc to a world economy already in crisis.
LESSONS FROM THE PAST. If the attacks on Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya teach anything, it is that military intervention brings death, division and misery. 30,000 died in Libya, tens of thousands in Afghanistan, and a million in Iraq. Violence continues in all three countries.
WAR = CUTS IN WELFARE. Barack Obama recently committed to military expenditure above the levels of George W. Bush's administration. Britain spent hundreds of millions bombing Libya and is spending £6 billion a year on the war in Afghanistan. An attack on Iran could have far greater financial implications, leading the government to threaten yet more cuts in welfare and public services.
DEMOCRACY. Recent wars have been deeply unpopular at home and have created a democratic deficit. Plans have been laid in Washington and Whitehall for an attack on Iran, with neither elected politicians in parliament nor the electorate, being consulted.
SECURITY. The War on Terror has made the world a more volatile and dangerous place. An attack on Iran can only increase bitterness against the Western powers.
CIVIL LIBERTIES. The campaign against Iran will lead to further demonisation of Britain’s Muslim community and more curbs on our freedom, dressed up as 'anti terror measures'.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. The main restraining factor on the war makers is mobilised public opinion. Even George W. Bush opposed Israel attacking Iran while in office, because he felt Americans were against it. The voice of the anti-war majority in Britain must be turned into a mass movement that forces our political leaders to end their policy of endless war.

Protest rally: Hands off Syria, Don't attack Iran!

2012-01-04T20:59:00.004Z

Sat 28 January 2pm-4pm
Picket at US Embassy: No western intervention in the Middle East

US Embassy
Grosvenor Square
London W1 [map]

The growing threats against Iran in recent weeks have been backed up with increased sanctions. As we know from Iraq, these are a prelude to war, not an alternative to it. There are signs of covert intervention already in Iran, as there are in Syria. Stop the War opposes all military intervention from the west in the region, for which there is absolutely no justification.

We will be gathering outside the US embassy, Grosvenor Square, London W1 on Saturday 28 January from 2-4pm. Please support it if you can.

If armed Chinese troops were in Texas...

2012-01-04T20:33:00.002Z

The United States has at least 700 military bases across the globe, possibly more than 1,000. Imagine if China followed the US model and had armed troops in Texas.

Help us make the Anti War Assembly huge

2011-10-01T12:49:00.000+01:00

We need to plan the final few days of publicity for the Anti War assembly this Saturday 8th October. Please come along to our planning meeting to find out how to get involved.

Monday 3rd October
7:30pm
Vestry of Clapham Methodist Church, Nelson's Row, just off Clapham High Street

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Everyone is very welcome

Prepare for the Anti War Assembly

2011-09-11T16:59:00.001+01:00

Lots happening in the lead up to the anti war assembly:

Public Meeting: Libya, Nato & the Arab Spring
Wednesday 14th September, 7pm
Bloomsbury Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8EP
With

George Galloway

Sami Ramadani (Iraqi Democrats Against Occupation)

Madawi Al-Rasheed (Saudi academic)

Mohammed Matar (leading Bahraini political activist)
Let us know you're coming on facebook

Breaking the Silence: Speak Out, Tweet Out
22 September, 7.30pm
University of London Union (ULU), Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY
In a UK first, Stop the War has brought together poets, rappers and other spoken word performers to perform at a tweet convention aimed at raising to viral level the profile of the October 8 Antiwar Mass Assembly in Trafalgar Square.
More details here

Afghanistan & The War on Terror - Ten Years On
Tuesday 27th September, 7:30pm
Balham Library, 16 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QY
With:

Greg Muttitt (author Fuel on the Fire - Oil and Politics in Occupied Iraq)

Lindsey German (convenor Stop the War Coalition)

Shadia Edwards-Dashti (Stop the War Coalition Student organiser)
More details here

To advertise all of this we're having stalls in Brixton on Sunday 18th September and in Streatham on Sunday 25th September, both at 2pm. If you can help out please email Chris

This is all leading up to the big anti war assembly in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 8th October

Next Organising Meeting

2011-08-29T10:34:00.000+01:00

Our next organising meeting is on

Monday 5th September
7:30pm
Vestry of Clapham Common Methodist Church, Nelsons Row
(just off the High Street, close to Clapham Common tube)

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Everyone is very welcome

Two Stalls this Weekend

2011-08-27T10:34:00.000+01:00

Lambeth Stop the War Coalition is having two stalls this weekend:

Saturday 27th August
2pm - 4pm
Meet outside the Imperial War Museum.
If you can help please email Grace

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Sunday 28th August
meet 1pm at Notting Hill Gate tube, then move on the Notting Hill Carnival.
If you can help please email Sam

Note that we won't be having a stall at the Urban Green Fair on Sunday 4th September as the event has been cancelled

Stop the Imperial War this Saturday

2011-08-19T12:42:00.000+01:00

This Saturday 27th August, at 2pm, Lambeth Stop the War Coalition will be joining forces wih Central London Stop the War to run an alternative information centre/street stall outside the Imperial War museum - our very own 'Contemporary Imperial War Museum'.

If you're interested in helping please email Grace

While the exhibits inside the museum commemorate the tragedy and sacrifice of past wars, most prominently World War 1 and 2, we need to put it in the forefront of people's minds that the UK is still at war in Afghanistan. This is a deadly, costly, unjust and pointless war, and one that has now lasted nearly as long as the 2 World Wars put together.

The day of action is a chance to raise the profile of the mass assembly on October 8th. We'll be getting people to sign the pledge for the protest and saying enough is enough: the last 10 years of war has to be brought to an end.

We will be there from 2pm. Look out for us by the big cannons near the main entrance. And, if you're thinking of coming, please email Grace so we can look out for you

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Graham wins Lambeth Stop the War Peace Cake

2011-08-07T10:56:00.000+01:00

A visit to the Stop the War stall at this year's Lambeth Country Show proved lucky for one local.

Graham Kemp's entry in our 'Guess the cost of the Afghanistan war' competition – £35 billion – was closest to the £29 billion answer the adjudicator was looking for.

The competition prize was a made-to-order “peace cake” featuring a white dove, and by extraordinary coincidence Graham was informed of his win and received the cake on his birthday, 20 July – the Wednesday following the Country Show on the weekend of 16 and 17 July.

“That was a nice moment of serendipity,” said Graham, of Loughborough Junction. “I was persuaded to pay 50p to enter the competition by a Lambeth Stop the War activist, who described it as 'guess how many sweets in the jar for Guardian readers'.”

The competition question, devised by activist Jim Brann, was: “What does the UK government say will be the total cost of British military operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2014?". Guesses ranged from £2 million to £950 billion.

While Jim phrased the question carefully to be clear that for the purpose of the competition we were using controversial Government figures, the competition nevertheless prompted polite dissent among some Lambeth Stop the War activists, who felt it was important to stress that the true cost of the war is incalculable.

“For the true cost of a war we should not be relying on MoD accountants”, emailed Aubrey Nunes. Fellow activist Veronica Ball added: “The real cost is the alternative goods/services which the resources used on war could have provided. But this ignores the even more scandalous real costs in the victim country, which are hardly imaginable.”

At Lambeth Stop the War’s latest planning meeting it was agreed that for our next stall at a big event, the Urban Green Fair in Brockwell Park on Sunday 4 September we would develop the competition idea by holding a caption contest.

A big thank you to Graham Brooks of London Cakes who provided Lambeth Stop the War with a medium sized cake for the price of a 'small', because he felt it was for a good cause

Outreach

2011-08-07T10:50:00.000+01:00

Two big events are coming up in the autumn. Wandsworth Stop the War Coalition are organising a public meeting on Tuesday 27th September and there is an Anti War Assembly in Central London on Saturday 8th October. We need to do lots of work to make sure these events are big.

We're currently concentrating on outreach:

If you live near Stockwell and want to help with outreach to the mosques please email Aubrey

If you live near Streatham and want to help with outreach to the mosques please email Chris

If you want to help with outreach to the Methodist churches please email Jan

If you want to help with outreach to the Anglican and Catholic churches please email Aubrey

If you want to help with outreach to the community groups please email Chris

We will also have a stall at the Urban Green Fair on Sunday 4th September. If you can help out please email Chris

Events coming up

2011-07-19T19:16:00.001+01:00

Please support the following events:
Gaming in Waziristan - Until 5th August, Beaconsfield 22 Newport St, SE11 6AY. A cache of hitherto unseen images taken by a local journalist in the tribal regions of Pakistan reveal the unequal human cost of remotely controlled war machines and more. More details here

Acoustic Insurgency - Sunday 24th July, 8pm, The Grosvenor, Sidney Road, Stockwell, SE11 5DA. An awesome mixture of music and comedy including
Sh!t Theatre and Steve White. Stop the War will be having a stall there so if you're passing to please say hello. More details here

Planning Meeting - Monday 1st August, 7:30pm, Vestry of Clapham Common Methodist Church, Nelsons Row (just off the High Street, close to Clapham Common tube). We'll be discussing our stall at the Urban Green Fair, and how to get lots of people along to the anti war assembly.

Next Planning Meeting

2011-07-18T13:00:00.000+01:00

Our next organising meeting is on

Monday 1st August
7:30pm
Vestry of Clapham Common Methodist Church, Nelsons Row
(just off the High Street, close to Clapham Common tube)

We'll be discussing our stall at the Urban Green Fair, and how to get lots of people along to the anti war assembly.

Everyone is very welcome

Lambeth Country Show

2011-07-09T19:47:00.001+01:00

On the weekend of 16th and 17th July is the Lambeth Country Show. It's one of the biggest free festivals in South London and is a great chance to talk to people about why the bombing of Libya and the occupation of Afghanistan is bad. Lambeth Stop the War Coalition will be having a stall there. If you can help out please email Grace

Last Week of June

2011-06-22T20:42:00.000+01:00

It's a very busy week this week:

Acoustic Insurgency - Sunday 26th June - 8pm, The Grosvenor, Sidney Street, Stockwell. Gig with Press Gang and The Jack Rats. Stop the War will be having a stall there so if you're passing do please say hello

Stop the Bombing of Libya - Tuesday 28 June 6pm Old Palace Yard SW1, opposite visitors' entrance to Parliament, with Jeremy Corbyn MP, poet Sanasino, Sami Ramadani among those joining us.

Screening of Budrus by Palestine Solidarity Campaign - Tuesday 28th June, 7:30pm, Bookshop Theatre, The Cut, near Waterloo

Rally to Celebrate Public Services - Thursday 30th June, 11am to 3pm, Windrush Square, Brixton. Organised by Lambeth Save Our Services

Who Polices The Police - Friday 1st July, 7pm to 9pm, with Benjamin Zephaniah, Merlin Emmanuel, Samatha Rigg-David and Jody McIntyre. Organised by The Equality Movement. Let us know you're coming on facebook

Planning Meeting

2011-05-24T16:00:00.000+01:00

Please come to our next organising meeting:

Monday 6th June
7:30pm
Vestry of Clapham Common Methodist Church, Nelsons Row
(just off the High Street, close to Clapham Common tube)

Everyone is very welcome

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The War You Don't See

2011-05-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

There is another chance to see John Pilger's film The War You Don't See at the Clapham Picturehouse on Monday

The War You Don't See - A film by John Pilger
Clapham Picturehouse
Monday 23rd May
6:30pm

Lambeth Stop the War Coalition will have a stall there, so if you're at the film do please say hello. If you can help out with the stall please email Chris

Cut Warfare, not Welfare

2011-05-14T15:44:00.001+01:00

Lambeth Save Our Services has called a People’s Convention Against the Cuts

Saturday 21st May
12noon - 4pm
Lambeth Town Hall

Speakers include John McDonnell MP, Gill George, (UNITE/ Health Sector), Ruth Cashman, (Unison/ local librarian), Ted Knight (former leader Lambeth Council), UK Uncut, Smiley Culture campaign. tenants, pensioner and disability groups,

Lambeth Stop the War Coalition will be having a stall there to argue the case to Cut Warfare, not Welfare. If you can help out please email Chris

Please also support:

Saturday 21st May: Confornting Anti Muslim hatred in Europe. Will Seamus Milne, Salma Yaqoob, Tony Benn and others. Apologies for the clash with the People's Convention

Monday 23rd May: A showing of The War You Don't See by John Pilger, 6:30pm, Clapham Picturehouse. Lambeth Stop the War Coalition will be having a stall there, if you can help please email Chris

2011-05-07T09:31:00.000+01:00

Please come to our next planning meeting:

Wednesday 11th May
7:30pm
38 The Chase, London, SW4 0NH (near Clapham Common tube)

Everyone is very welcome

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(Note: We usually meet at the vestry of Clapham Methodist Church on the first Monday of the month, we're changing the date for May only because of the bank holiday)

Stop the War stalls

2011-04-22T10:52:00.000+01:00

Help us in our campaign to Stop the Bombing of Libya. We're having stalls at the following events

Acoustic Insurgency - Benefit gig
8pm Sunday 1st May
The Grosvenor, Sidney Street, Stockwell
With Bastards on Parade, Smokey Bastard and The Lagan
We'll be having a stall there, if you can help out please email Aubrey
Organised by Acoustic Insurgency

Peace History - Pioneers and prophets
Friday 13th May and Saturday 14th May 10am - 5pm
Imperial War Museum
We'll be having a presence there, if you can help out please email Jan
Organised by the Movement Against War

People's Convention Against the Cuts
Saturday 21st May 12noon - 4pm
Lambeth Town Hall
We'll be having a stall there, if you can help please email Chris
Organised by Lambeth Save Our Services

Please also support:
CND stall - Cut Trident, not public services
Saturday 23rd April 11am to 1pm
Outside Brixton tube
If you can help, please email Jim

Help stop the Bombing of Libya

2011-04-09T15:57:00.000+01:00

Help us in our campaign to Stop the Bombing of Libya

Stall in Brixton
Sunday 17th April 2pm - 3:30pm
Outside Brixton tube
If you're coming please email Jo

Acoustic Insurgency - Benefit gig
8pm Sunday 1st May
The Grosvenor, Sidney Street, Stockwell
We'll be having a stall there, if you can help out please email Aubrey
Organised by Acoustic Insurgency

Peace History - Pioneers and prophets
Friday 13th May and Saturday 14th May 10am - 5pm
Imperial War Museum
We'll be having a presence there, if you can help out please email Jan
Organised by the Movement Against War

People's Convention Against the Cuts
Saturday 21st May 12noon - 4pm
Lambeth Town Hall
We'll be having a stall there, if you can help please email Chris
Organised by Lambeth Save Our Services

We also hope to have stalls at the Streatham Festival on Saturday 2nd July and the Lambeth Country Show on Saturday 16th July and Sunday 17th July. Watch this space for details

Stop the Attack on Libya

2011-03-28T09:15:00.000+01:00

Hear the arguments
7pm Wednesday March 30th.
Conway Hall, Red lion Square, London WC1
Speakers include Tony Benn, Lindsey German, Sami Ramadani, and Jeremy Corbyn MP
If you're coming please let us know so we can look out for you.

Plan the campaign in Lambeth
7:30pm, vestry Clapham Methodist Church
Nelsons Row, just off Clapham High Street
If you're coming please let us know so we can look out for you.

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Cut Warfare, not Welfare - March for the Alternative

2011-03-13T12:00:00.000Z

Cut Warfare, not Welfare
Join the TUC March for the Alternative on Saturday 26th March
Lambeth Stop the War Coalition is meeting with other groups from South London at 11am Kennington Common, look out for our banner
Let us know you're coming via Facebook
(Pensioners and people with mobility difficulties who may have difficulty with the full march meet at Green Park at 12:45)

Acoustic Insurgency presents David Rovics
Celebrate a successful demo with some brilliant activist music
Sunday 27th March, 8pm, The Grosvenor, Sidney Street, Stockwell
More details at the Acoustic Insurgency website
David Rovics has been a good friend of the Stop the War movement for many years, the video below is of his recent Song for Bradley Manning

Planning Meeting
Plan the next steps
Monday 7th March, 7:30pm, Clapham Methodists Church Vestry, Nelson's Row
Close to Clapham Common tube
Everyone is very welcome

Hands Off the Middle East

2011-03-11T15:10:00.000Z

Hands Off the Middle East
No Military Intervention in Libya, Troops out of Afghanistan
Protest 2pm, Downing Street, Saturday 12th March
Look out for the Lambeth Stop the War banner

Cut Warfare, not Welfare
Join the TUC March for the Alternative on Saturday 26th March
Lambeth Stop the War Coalition is meeting with other groups from South London at 11am Kennington Common, look out for our banner
Let us know you're coming via Facebook
(Pensioners and people with mobility difficulties who may have difficulty with the full march meet at Green Park at 12:45)

Acoustic Insurgency presents David Rovics
Sunday 27th March, 8pm, The Grosvenor, Sidney Street, Stockwell
More details at the Acoustic Insurgency website
David Rovics has been a good friend of the Stop the War movement for many years, the video below is of his recent Song for Bradley Manning

Planning Meeting
Monday 7th March, 7:30pm, Clapham Methodists Church Vestry, Nelson's Row
Close to Clapham Common tube
Everyone is very welcome