Stop the War coalition Newsletter, 13.2.26

Newsletter 13/02/26

Palestine Action ban quashed 

In a landmark decision earlier today the High Court overturned the government’s ban on Palestine Action. This is a massive win for the Palestine movement. The Court ruled that the Home Office’s decision to proscribe the group was both ‘disproportionate’ and unlawful.

Lindsey German, StW convenor said: “This is fantastic news. It is an utter humiliation for Yvette Cooper, Shabana Mahmood and the rest in this most authoritarian government in living memory.”

Stop the War and Palestine campaigners are now calling for the head of the Met Police, Mark Rowley, Yvette Cooper, the former Home Secretary responsible for the ban, and the current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to resign, and for all charges against the 3,000 activists arrested under the ban to be dropped.

Friday’s victory in the High Court shows the government has overplayed its hand. It is not only acting counter to public opinion but against legal opinion. With this in mind, and with the acquittal of six of the Filton24 last week, it is clear we are winning, yet the government continues in its attempts to persecute Palestine activists. 

On 23 February Stop the War’s vice chair Chris Nineham and PSC’s director Ben Jamal are appearing at Westminster Magistrate’s Court for the first day of their trial. We ask all our supporters to build the protest outside the court and demand the charges against Chris and Ben are dropped. 

Come along, bring your trade union banner and stand up for our right to protest. 

Stop Trump’s Drive to War 

This weekend the world’s most powerful leaders convene for the Munich Security Conference. All the talk is of preparation for war. No wonder the vast majority of people in the US, Canada, the UK, France and Germany believe that World War 3 may break out within the next five years. 

Against the terrifying background of Trump’s naked imperialism, we are living in an increasingly insecure world. In response, rather than building bridges, governments are building their military capabilities at an alarming rate. 

With this in mind StW has been organising public meetings up and down the country on Trump’s drive to war and the growth of militarism. 

We have meetings in:

• Tower Hamlets, London – 11 February
• Hackney, London – 18 February
• Doncaster - 28 February
• Haringey & Enfield, N London – 4 March
• Coventry – 12 March
• Liverpool – 12 March

For more details check out our events page. If you would like to arrange a meeting in your area please get in touch and we will do what we can to help. 

On Saturday 28 February there’s also a national demonstration – Stop British Nuclear Jets, being organised by CND at RAF Marham, Kings Lynn.

On 17 March StW, the Palestine coalition, civil society organisations and trade unions are holding a lobby day in parliament to encourage MPs to vote against the crime and policing bil. Register here to join us to lobby your MP. 

And don’t forget to sign our petition demanding US military gets out of Britain. Please consider holding petitioning sessions in town centres, at transport hubs, train stations and at universities. You can download and print the petition here.

StW annual conference

Our national conference is on 14 March. This conference is wheredecisions are made about StW’s programme for the coming year. It is also where our Steering Committee is elected. You do not need to be a member to attend the conference, although you must be either a member or delegate to vote. 

Register now to hear the discussion and analysis. Confirmed speakers include Jeremy Corbyn MP, Maryam Eslamdoust TSSA General Secretary, Professor Paul Rogers, French MP Jérôme Legavre and Convenor of StW Lindsey German. More to be announced.

Saturday 14 March

11:00 – 17:00

Hamilton House, London, WC1H 9BD

International Conference Against War

Tickets are selling fast and a growing number of of trade union branches have already passed the motion supporting the International Peace Conference on 20 June. We now have the support of four national unions, the NEU, RMT, PCS and BFAWU, and expect more to follow. 

If you haven’t got your tickets or passed the motion in your trade union branch do so now!