Aims and Objectives
Introduction
On Sunday, 23rd February 2003
following the overwelming success of the 15th February march in London,
around 50 people attended the founding meeting to set up an official Taunton
Deane Stop the War Coalition. The group agreed to adopt
a model constitution and the aims and objectives of the National Stop
the War Coalition. This was uninimously agreed by vote, with the suggestion
that we do not limit ourselves solely to following the National Coalition,
but also adopt our own initiatives and ideas. the meeting agreed to formally
affiliate to the National Stop the War
Coalition
A regular steering committee has been set up with open meetings in the
Perkin Warbeck on Monday evenings from 6.30pm as from the 3rd March 2003.
The Coalition continues with regular stalls in the Town Centre on Saturdays,
and a Somerset wide Demonstration & March
is arranged for Saturday the 8th March. Other campaigns include writing
to MPs, Councilors, the Prime Minister and the local and National Press.
Regular Peace Vigils are held and open to all at the Friends Meeting House
in Bath Place, every Tuesday from 5pm.
Taunton Deane Stop the War Coalition, as affiliated with Stop the War Coalition, adopts the following aims and objectives.
- The aim of the Coalition should be very simple: to stop the war currently declared by the United States and its allies against ‘terrorism’. We condemn the attacks on New York and we feel the greatest compassion for those who lost their life on 11th September. But any war will simply add to the numbers of innocent dead, cause untold suffering, political and economic instability on a global scale, increase racism and result in attacks on civil liberties. The aims of the campaign would be best expressed in the name Stop the War Coalition.
- Supporters of the Coalition, whether organisations or individuals, will of course be free to develop their own analyses and organise their own actions. But there will be many important occasions when united initiatives around broad stop the war slogans can mobilise the greatest numbers.
- The Coalition shall elect a steering committee which reflects the breadth of those involved to carry forward the aims and objectives. Local groups should have regular, open and inclusive meetings.
- We call on all peace activists and organisations, trade unionists, campaigners and labour movement organisations to join with us in building a mass movement that can stop the drive to war.
- We are committed
to opposing any racist backlash generated by this war. We will fight
to stop the erosion of civil rights.
The Stop the War Coalition was formed on September 21st, 2001 at a public meeting of over 2,000 people in London. The resolution above, setting out the Coalition's platform, was ratified at public meetings held in October 2001 in London.