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News Special Edition of Respect newspaper - out now!
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All election materials published and promoted by I Donovan, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU
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Special Edition of Respect newspaper - out now! |
"The greatest mass movement of our age has brought us together. We have marched in unprecedented numbers against war, against racism and in defence of democracy and civil liberties. Our views are shared by millions, often an majority of people in this country."
With those founding words Respect was launched less than one year after the mass global demonstrations against the invasion of Iraq on February 15th 2003. And if those words were true of Respect they are truer still for the anti-war movement that has been such a feature of political life of Britain for the last few years.
"War or peace?" has been the defining question of the 21st Century and with the death toll rising in Afghanistan this looks set to continue in the years to come.
So it is with a mixture of pride and determination that we will march again on Saturday 15th March - together in the Stop the War Coalition alongside our many allies for peace and liberty. We will march with pride for what the anti-war movement has been able to achieve and with determination that our job is is not yet done and must be finished.
Five years after the invasion of Iraq, the crying need for a political alternative to war and the economic system that relies on it has never been clearer or more needed.
That's why two of the most consistent and inspiring leaders of that peace movement George Galloway MP and Councillor Salma Yaqoob - have come together to write for a mini-magazine especially for Saturday's demonstration.
In this 16 page pocket-sized souvenir publication George Galloway uncovers the devastating legacy of the folly that passes for British policy in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We are told that NATO forces are killing Taliban," says George. "It's not Taliban they are killing, it's Afghans, Afghans who are as indignant at foreign occupation as we would be to imagining that they would be otherwise is evidence of the kind of racist delusion that underpins imperialism."
Meanwhile Salma Yaqoob celebrates multiculturalism on the march as represented by the anti-war movement.
"For me, and many people like me," writes Salma, "the British public's opposition to war and the racism that it brings, has done more to restore a sense of belonging a sense of British identity and democracy than any number of government sponsored citizenship classes ever could.
"It is that humanity, that ease with difference, that attitude of 'live and let live' that I feel encapsulates the true sense of multiculturalism and the best of Britishness."
Respect have produced ten thousand copies to be given away free on Saturdays demonstration and at the Aldermaston march over Easter. You can download a copy here but don't forget to pick up your own souvenir copy at the demonstrations.
We're sure you'll like what you see and read. So why not help us distribute it in Trafalgar Square on the day? We are asking for volunteers to meet us at our stall from 11.30am. Email us at
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, call Linda Smith on 07854 998 501 or simply turn up on the day.
But we also need to pay for the production costs. We are asking members and supporters to make a donation towards the hundreds of pounds in printing costs. Any donation however small or large will mean we can continue to spread the message of Respect for peace, justice and equality wider and deeper across the country.
As George says in his article, "Respect was born out of the movement against the war to fight for peace, against racism and for justice at home and abroad. By taking the fight against war to the ballot box, as we are doing again in London and elsewhere this May, we hope to strengthen the movement as a whole and demonstrate to pro-war politicians that they cannot expect to plunge us into disaster and be confident of survival at the ballot box."
You can make a donation online through the Manchester Respect website or by sending a cheque made payable to 'Respect Renewal Conference' to Souvenir Publication, Respect, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU.
Please note that in compliance with party funding legislation, if you are donating £200 or more, your details will be checked to ensure you are registered on a UK electoral register (this applies to overseas residents as well as UK residents). If you donate more than £5,000 to Respect nationally in the course of a calendar year, your name and the amount of the donation will be reported to the Electoral Commission for publication on their public register of donations to Respect. |
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