27th February 2003 - Newsletter
Welcome to the
first weekly newsletter of the Taunton Deane Stop the War Coalition.
In this newsletter:
1) Brief report from National Demonstration
2) Brief report of 1st Meeting Sunday 23rd Feb
3) Dates for the Diary - forthcoming Events
If you have any issues to raise, points to make, assistance to offer or
ideas, please reply to this message and it will be automatically posted
to all people on the egroup.
1) NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
We had a successful day out with our two coachloads, unfortunately a few
people failed to make it, so we weren't quite full up, but over 90 of
us went in the end, and everyone was agreed it was a great day.
Approx 1.5 million people were there, it was a massive event, and sent
a hugely powerful message to Blair about the level of opposition there
is to these War plans.
A few of us appeared on Page 3 of 'The Guardian' the following Monday
- to see the pic go to www.spdevon.org.uk
and scroll down the page.
Unfortunately four people from one of the Coaches got left behind, but
made it back safely to Taunton before the rest of us! We can learn a lot
about organising Coaches for future events, and hopefully there will be
more helping us organise such things in future!
2) FOUNDING MEETING
Last Sunday about 50 people attended the founding meeting to set up an
official Taunton Deane Stop the War Coalition. The meeting was chaired
by Alan Debenham and started by reports of work done so far in the area.
It was reported that weekly stalls had been held by the Socialist Party
and Alan Debenham jointly and that from this the two Coaches to London
had been organised and booked by the Socialist Party. It was explained
by Steve Bush from the Socialist Party that this was solely due to the
lack of any existing organisation in the area and that it was always the
intention of the Socialist Party to work together with others from any
political or non-aligned persuasion in a broad based campaign against
the War. As the demonstration itself proved, the movement was far, far
bigger than any one group or organisation.
It was also reported that there has been a lot of support for action in
the Schools and Colleges in Taunton, with Students from Richard Huish
and SCAT keen to organise Strike action and walkouts as well as School
Students from Castle School and Bishop Fox's so far.
The meeting was then asked to agree the formation of an official group,
calling itself 'Taunton Deane Stop the War Coalition' and agree 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 then agreed to formally affiliate to the National Stop the
War Coalition as soon as possible and pay the £10 affiliation fee.
Volunteers were asked for to help form a regular steering committee, and
a number of people indicated that they would be willing to take up specific
responsibilities. Patricia Rowe agreed to create a local website, Jan
Cave agreed to help Alan Debenham deal with the media as Press Officer,
others agreed to come and attend open steering committee meetings in the
Perkin Warbeck Pub in the Town Centre on Monday evenings at 6.30pm starting
from the 3rd of March.
It was agreed that the Coalition should continue with regular stalls in
the Town Centre on Saturdays, and a large number of people indicated a
willingness to help with this. It was also agreed to organise a Somerset
wide Demonstration / March for Saturday the 8th March.
Other ideas included raising the idea of Strike action in workplaces on
'Day X' - the first day of War. A number of people agreed to approach
workplaces - particularly Supermarkets and Unions to raise this issue.
Also suggested was letter writing campaigns to MP's, Councillors, the
Prime Minister and the local and National Press.
Adrian Fluke MP is attending Castle School on Monday 3rd March, and School
Students there are going to organise a protest and raise questions against
his support for the War.
Peace Vigils were mentioned, it was reported that the Quakers are having
regular Vigils (Details Below) and suggested that Vigils might be held
in the Town Centre.
It was also suggested that material be ordered from the National Coalition
for the Stall, Steve Bush volunteered to do this when funds were raised,
and someone volunteered to order badges from the Sedgemoor Peace Group
which were felt to be clearer than those on offer from the National Coalition.
It was also suggested that travelling to demonstrations at Fairford Airbase
be investigated.
3) DATES FOR THE DIARY
Saturdays 11am Stall near the Old Market House in the Centre of Taunton
Mondays 6.30pm Taunton Deane Stop the War Coalition Steering Group meetings
over a pot of tea or drink at the Perkin Warbeck Pub on East Street
Tuesdays 5pm Peace Vigil run by the Quakers at Friends Meeting House Bath Place
Friday 7th March - International Socialist Resistance / Youth Against the War - Strike action in Schools and Colleges.
Saturday 8th March - Taunton March and Rally - assemble 11 am Town side of Railway Station march through the Town Centre.
Saturday 15th March - South West March against War in Exeter, Assemble 12 noon, Belmont Park, Belmont Rd
Contact numbers for members of the public, Alan Debenham 01823 321304 and Steve Bush 07976641304
Best wishes,
Steve Bush.