12th March 2003 - Newsletter No 2
Welcome to our
2nd Newsletter
As the axis of Bush and Blair continue to toboggan towards War, here's
the latest update on the activities of Taunton Deane Stop the War Coalition.
In the latest newsletter:
1) Report from Saturday 8th Demonstration in Taunton
2) Report from Steering Committee Meeting on Monday
3) Forthcoming Diary Dates and Events
1) Taunton & Somerset Demonstration
on Saturday 8th March.
Over 500 people turned out in spite of the Rain on Saturday and we had
a lively March through the Town Centre. At 10.45 it was looking bleak
outside the railway station, with prospective marchers outnumbered by
Police, Media and Placards. But by 11.15 it was heaving, and the demonstration
seemed to double in size as we made our way through the Town. There was
certainly a lot of support, and a huge number of young people - Students,
School Students and Youth, took part, along with a number of more senior
citizens.
There was plenty of chanting, and an impressive array of home made Banners
and Placards. The Steering Committee gave a vote of thanks on Monday to
Di Glover, who produced the Taunton Banner, which headed up the demonstration.
We also extended our thanks to the people who provided the excellent PA
system for the rally outside County Hall, which really made a huge difference.
We had a good variety of speakers - Representatives from other Coalitions,
Borough and County Councillors, Trades Unionists, representatives of Political
Parties, Students, Clergymen, and a whole lot more, all giving a clear
message against the War, and all recieving enthusiastic applause, in spite
of the Rain. We all feel it was a very successfull protest, and truly
inspiring that so many people turned out for it, we now need to build
on that for action on the first day of War, if as seems inevitable, it
does go ahead.
Photos from the March & Rally are now on the website: www.tauntonstopwar.org.uk
Steering Committee Meeting, Monday 10th
March, at the Perkin Warbeck.
Apologies were recieved from Jan Cave, Dave Moody, Stephanie, Belinda
Burton and Adrian Wellings
The first item was a report from James Kerr on the mass cycle ride taking
place this Friday - it assembles at the Brewhouse Theatre at 4.30pm and
concludes with a Rally in Vivary Park. Anyone with a bicycle and time
on Friday should try and make it along. Alan Debenham agreed to bring
his Megaphone to help with the Rally at the conclusion of the Cycle.
Next we discussed the South West Regional March in Exeter this Saturday
15th March. We agreed it was too short notice to organise a Coach, but
if people want to get to Exeter, but need a lift, then please indicate
this through the list by replying to this message, and we will try and
sort out a lift for you. The Banner will be transported to the Exeter
Demo, and the March assembles at 12 noon in Belmont Park, Belmont Road,
which is one of the streets off the roundabout near the Odeon Cinema,
fairly close to the Bus Station. Please do come along if you can make
it, if not then there will be a stall in the High Street, and there are
plenty of leaflets for the first day of War that still need distributing.
The next item was the Fairford Demonstration on the 22nd of March. We
agreed to organise a Coach to this protest, and Steve Bush agreed to book
one from Redwoods and announce details on the egroup as soon as this is
done (I am still waiting on a price, and will post details as soon as
I have one, in the mean time please call on 07976 641304 if you want to
book a place anyway) This promises to be a big demonstration, and verious
scenarios were discussed including the possibility that there may be arrests.
We agreed to produce a 'bust card' in case anyone is arrested.
We then discussed further plans for 'Day X' and it was agreed that more
leafletting needs to be done for this in the Town, as well as specific
targetting of Schools and Colleges for walkouts on the day. James reported
a strong mood at Castle School for a walkout, and there was already one
at Richard Huish last Friday involving about 50 Students. It was also
agreed to send out formal letters in support of such action, and confirming
it as legitimate, on behalf of the coalition to Heads and Principles of
Schools and Colleges, as well as trying to establish contact with Teaching
Unions Steve Bush agreed to take this on. It was agreed that the main
demonstration would assemble in the Town Centre from 6pm and further actions
were discussed.
Next up was a Financial Report. Di Glover reported a Bank Account was
in the process of being opened, with herself, Stephanie and Alan Debenham
as signatories. It was reported that £77 was collected on the March
and Rally, and that £20 had been paid out to the PA people to cover
the cost of Petrol etc. A further £32 had also previously been collected
- but £29 was spent on a generator for the Rally. This leaves some
£79 to be paid into the account, and a further approx £70
to come as a Donation from Unison. It was agreed to buy some material
from the website ASAP as well as to chase up the badges and pay for them.
It was also agreed that some money might be used to subsidise the Coach
to Fairford if necessary, and that all cheques etc for the Coach be made
out to 'Taunton Deane Stop the War' and the Coach be paid for via the
account.
Finally there was very little in terms of Any Other Business, except an
extended discussion on tactics for the demonstration on 'Day X' - some
actions were agreed and will be relayed by word of mouth.
Diary Dates and forthcoming Actions
Friday 14th March - Mass Cycle Ride against the War in
Taunton, assemble 4.30pm at the Brewhouse Theatre, followed by Rally in
Vivary Park
Saturday 15th March - South West March against the War
in Exeter - assemble 12 noon at Belmont Park, Belmont Road
Also Stall, Petition and leafletting in Taunton High Street 11am - 1pm
Saturday 22nd March - National Demonstration at Fairford
Airbase Gloucestershire, for details & to book Coach spaces phone
Steve on 07976 641304
'Day X' - The first Day of War - Walk outs from Schools
and Colleges from 1pm - Demonstration in Town Centre for everyone from
6pm
Best wishes,
Steve Bush.