East London News A Force for the community…
THE Stop the War Coalition has looked back on 2024 with dismay – and determination to do better next year. What has been so dismal, then?
First, there have been demonstrations around the world in protest at the wars and murders that have been taking place – but still state-sponsored murder goes on; human rights are trampled underfoot and people have lost their home, their possessions and their way of life.
Second, a year that saw a record number of national elections has returned a record number of reactionary, populist dunderheads stepping in to lead governments with policies that favour the wealthy.
Third, wars have continued, as states try to take over their neighbours or factions compete for a greater share of a shrinking state.
What can we do about it?
First, we have to go further than just holding demonstrations. We have to build an anti-war movement that will take a range of peaceful protests and turn public opinion against state-sanctioned mass murder.
Second, we have to organise and protest when our elected governments take wrong decisions or expect working people to pay for the failings of the state.
Third, we have to talk truth to power about the realities of war. Perhaps we should change its name: “war” can be made to sound noble, as if we had no alternative to engaging in this noble endeavour. Perhaps we should talk about “mass murder” – which is what it is.
There have been good moments. Julian Assange being freed was a fantastic success and a real tribute to those who campaigned doggedly against this brave human rights journalist being hounded by national governments who were furious that he had revealed their crimes.
This success is soured as we confront the reality of climate change and the destruction of Gaza by a state which seems to have the mentality of those who waged the first holocaust.
Where our governments remain silent about the genocidal slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza and beyond, the people must speak out. We cannot renounce our responsibility to respect human rights. We cannot assume someone else will do it: it is up to us all.
The New Year begins with a national March for Palestine (see below): please join it, and take your friends and family. Don’t stop there. Contract your local Palestine Solidarity group and get involved – while we still have the freedom that others have had taken away.
●Foreign Secretary David Lammy is supplying the UA with components for F-35 combat aircraft, knowing the USA will forward them to the Israeli state.
●Sign the petition here:
Petition: Stop Arming Israel
●Tower Hamlets Unison has launched a public petition asking the Council not to invest staff pension funds companies which are helping the Israeli state to wage war.
●Sign the petition here:
Petition: divest pension funds from companies which support Israel
●Join anti-war campaigns:
Stop the War Coalition
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
●To catch up with the news in East London, go to:
East London News
