26th March 2003 - Newsletter No 3
Welcome to the 3rd edition of our Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1) Reports from last week.
2) Reports from Fairford and London, Saturday
3) Report of Steering Committee meeting, Monday
4) Upcoming Events and Dates
Reports from last week:
Last week was frantic - we had school students walking out all over on
Tuesday and Wednesday, and then the big walkout on Day X - Thursday.
On Tuesday about 40 School Students in Tiverton walked out and held a
lively protest here in the town centre. On Wednesday there was an incredible
walkout at Kingsmead school, Wiveliscombe, with practically the whole
school - 400 students - walking out. There are pictures and a commentary
on our website. On Thursday about 200 took part in a lively walkout in
Taunton, mainly from Castle School, with a few students from SCAT and
Richard Huish. There was a great protest in the Town Centre for the best
part of four hours. Other students from other schools were prevented from
walking out, and sadly Richard Huish College basically wasn't there on
Thursday TO walk out, otherwise it would have been even bigger! Students
also walked out in several other Towns in Somerset. In the evening there
was a far smaller vigil held, with between 40 and 100 people attending
at different times.
All in all it was a spectacular display by the school students, but a
disappointing turnout by the adults.
Reports from Fairford and London:
With the difficulty of a London protest at the same time as the Fairford
protest, our Coach was only just half full, and large donations had to
be made to cover the costs. But in the end it got to Fairford (Or as close
as it could get) There were about 6000 protestors there, but a heavy Police
presence meant that very little could be done other than stand around.
The media sadly almost completely ignored the protest at Fairford, but
people felt it had been worthwhile.
Those who went to London reported a March almost as large as last time,
probably around 750,000 strong, which considering the short notice, was
still very impressive. The mood was more angry, but still strong and defiant
against the War.
Steering Group Meeting 24/03/03
The meeting on Monday recieved
apologies from Jan Cave for absence, and reports as detailed above from
the weeks and weekend's events. We hen proceeded to s discussion of ideas
as to what to do next. Many suggestions were made, including occupations
of County Hall, streets, Asda (owned by Wal*Mart) and occupations of schools
and colleges. The idea of a hunger stike was suggested, as was making
large banners and putting them around Taunton. There were also suggestions
of Street Theatre and Laying down on the Motorway.
One suggestion which provoked a lot of interest was the idea of standing
anti-War candidates in the local elections.
Guerrilla advertising - subverting existing poster site adverts to a stop
the war message, was also suggested.
In the end two things were decided upon by the committee:
A protest this Friday 28th March between 4.30pm to 6.30 pm - please contact
us for details of this event.
Also - it was agreed that we should create placards to site on routes
into Taunton following a 'storyboard' about and against the War, to raise
awareness and get the message across to a wider audience.
It was also agreed that Alan would approach the Quakers with a view to
having steering committee meetings at the Friend Meeting House from now
on so that we can hear each other and speed up the meetings.
Finally, we discussed approaching other groups in the area with a view
to holding another county wide protest, perhaps at Yeovilton, on Sat /
Sun 5/6 April.
Events and Dates for the Diary:
Friday 28th March protest between 4.30pm to 6.30 pm - please contact
us for details of this event.
Sat 29th March - Stall, vigil & petition in the High
Street from 11am - 3pm PLEASE COME ALONG - WE NEED NUMBERS!
Sat / Sun 5/6 April Possible County wide protest - maybe
at Yeovilton?
Sat 12th April - National Demonstration London - we will
be running Coaches.
Steve Bush.