Stop the War coalition Newsletter 01/05/26

Newsletter 01/05/26

 Nakba78 March for Palestine 

Nakba78 is just two weeks away. This is the day we commemorate the ongoing ethnic cleanisng of the Palestinian people. We must make sure the demonstration is huge. Not only to remember past atrocities but to show solidarity to the Palestinians as their persecution continues.

It is also important we stand up for free speech and the right to protest, not just to oppose the far-right and Tommy Robinson who have chosen this day to march and amplify their vile racist and islamophobic views, but to make clear to those in government and the media attempting to silence the Palestine movement that we will not be silenced. 

What you can do to help build the demo.

• Watch and share this excellent video.
• Book your coach ticket, arrange your transport to London.
• Organise a street stall in your town centre.
• Arrange leafleting sessions in your local area - leaflets available hereand from the national office.
• Use the National Day of Action on 14 May to promote the demo in your college, school or workplace.

The conflation of antisemintism with opposition to Israel’s genocide is something we must call out as completely false. Suggestions that there should be a moratorium on the marches are an attack on the right to protest. We will stay on the streets until Palestine is free. 

Read StW’s statement on the attempts to connect the horrific antisemitic attacks with the marches in solidarity with Palestine. You can listen to our National Officer John Rees on teh BBC refuting these attacks here. 

International Anti-War Conference

International delegations are preparing to travel to London and we are getting ready to receive them.

Make sure you are one of the thousands attending this vital and historic conference. 

We are delighted to announce that Dr Mustafa Barghouti from Palestine will be attending and speaking, along with José Nivoi, leader of the Genoa dockers, Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink from the US, StW patron Tariq Ali, and MPs and trade union leaders from the UK and across Europe.

The list of supporters for the conference keeps growing. Check if your union or organisation is one of this number. If not, you know what to do. 

Organising a conference on this scale is expensive. We urgently need to raise funds to help pay for venue hire, translation costs, speakers’ travel and expenses and publicity. Please help us raise funds to meet these costs by donating and sharing this link widely.

Calling all students

The anti-war student movement is getting organised. Join their meeting on Monday 11 May at 6:30 if you would like to hear what’s going on and how to join in. 

This week StW launched an anti-conscription petition. No-one, young nor old, deserves to have their lives put on the line for another illegal war. And last month the government began recruitment for their pilot, military ‘gap year’ programme. This is a poverty draft and a precursor to what they are planning next – the reintroduction of conscription. 

Get signing and sharing. 

This week’s anti-war briefing