TAUNTON
DEANE STOP THE WAR COALITION - PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday 11th February 2003
Acting Co-ordinator: Cllr.
Alan Debenham
49 Clifford Avenue
Taunton TA2 6DL
Tel. 01823 321304
or 07753 447 669
EXCITING BIG BUILD-UP FOR ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION DAY
Stop-the-War Coalition supporters in Taunton Deane and Somerset are excitingly gearing themselves up for what is now forecasted to be the biggest demonstration day in British history next Saturday 15th February, with a national march and rally of over a million people in London opposing the Bush-Blair planned war against Iraq, coupled with parallel demonstrations in many major towns and cities throughout the Britain, and throughout the world. (See www.stopwar.org.uk).
Taunton Deane anti-war organisers report ‘history in the making’ by the fantastic response local people have made to their calls to use all peaceful means available to stop the war. From a stall in Taunton High Street, run for the last three Saturdays, petition forms have run out, papers, leaflets and badges also, and two coaches to London have now been booked, with the possibility of a third. (They will be leaving near the Taunton bus station at 7.30am and returning around 9.45pm - booking through Steve Bush 07976 641304, or Alan Debenham 01823 321304).
For all local protesters who can’t make the trip to London, a twin demonstration in the form of a peace vigil is being staged from 11am to 1pm. in Taunton centre near the Market House. People are advised to bring banners, badges, balloons etc. - further info. Biddy Garstang 01823 421819.
All protesters are also invited to a Stop-the-War public meeting for 7pm. Sunday 23rd February at Taunton’s Municipal Hall, Corporation St., when it is proposed to form an official Taunton Deane Stop-the-War Coalition group with a Steering Committee, draft constitution and future programme - including, in the event of a war starting, a call to everyone to ‘walk out’ and immediately head for Taunton centre for a mass rally and sit-down vigil that very afternoon and/or evening. The long term aim is not only to stop the war against Iraq, but also eventually to become a standing Taunton Deane People’s Parliament for Peace and Democracy, trying to stimulate debate and represent local views and actions on all important issues confronting local residents.
Alan Debenham, Taunton Deane
Councillor and joint organiser, commented:
“We’re marching in London to give Mr Blair his marching orders
if he continues to disregard the adamant wishes of the vast majority of
the British electorate for him not to take us into a war against Iraq
without the full backing and participation of the UN. The Bush-Blair plan
to attack Iraq, if proceeded with unilaterally will break international
law and brand them both as ‘war criminals’, as well as bringing
chaos and terror to the world, especially the estimated 500,000 Iraqi
civilian casualties and extra 4 million refugees. I’m so excited
by all the fantastic anti-war protest going on everywhere and the sheer
size of the British and international Stop-the-War Coalition movement.
I’m sure Saturday’s London demonstration will be the biggest
in history and, together with other massive ones happening in hundreds
of other major cities throughout the world, if this doesn’t stop
the war, then I’m sure people will be using mass direct action as
their next dramatic move to force a government response - it’s
that serious.”
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Ps. A Stop-the-War motion is
being proposed for debate at the next full TDBC meeting and next week’s
county Council meeting will be equally targeted.