Welcome to this site, which will keep you informed of the group's activities. We are a broad coalition of all faiths and none, political groups, campaigners and individuals from in and around the MK area who came together to stop the war in Iraq.

 

This site was last updated on 21/06/2009  

The Campaign Continues... Join Us

We continue to campaign on the following issues:

  • End the Occupation of Iraq Now
  • Defend Civil Liberties
  • No Racist Backlash
  • Bring the Troops Home
  • No to war in Iran!

News...

 

Public Meeting: WHERE NEXT FOR GAZA?

Mon 30th April, Heelands Meeting PlaceAround 20 people attended. There were two speakers. First Muthanna Al-Qadi, a journalist-photographer from Nablus in the West Bank, gave his stark prognosis on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The 1994 Oslo Agreement promised a Palestinian state by 1999, but since then Israeli settlement land had increased 173%, with settlers doubling from 240,000 to 500,000. Although in 2004 the International Court of Justice had condemned Israel’s "security wall", it had extended by 20% sequestering a further 100km2 of land. 650,000 citrus and olive trees—vital to the economy of any future state—had been uprooted. Checkpoints had doubled from 383 to 742 making normal life impossible. Palestinian goods were stopped from reaching markets, whilst Israeli goods were allowed in. Over 1,000 houses had been demolished. 11-12,000 Palestinians were prisoners in Israel. Settlements ringing East Jerusalem were increased from 17 to 232 (over 13 times!) to strangle its hopes of ever becoming a Palestinian capital.

Against this background, the recent assault on Gaza had killed 1,400, wounded 2,600, destroyed 4,000 homes and partly destroyed 17,000. 219 factories, 34 clinics and 8 hospitals had been bombed.

In response to questions, Muthanna stated his view the "peace process" was a complete "con": also the recent conflict showed there is no "independent" media. A hard situation demands a tough response from us locally: "witness" is not enough, but we should expand the group and get the message over to increase public support.

A boycott is a strong weapon, though not backed by the UN unlike former South Africa. Both trade and academic boycotts are needed: 60% of Israel’s university budgets come from "defence".

Expect Israel to exploit divisions between Hamas and Fatah.

Carol Turner from Stop the War HQ set Israel-Palestine in the wider context of Iraq/Afghanistan and Obama’s election. The UK government should stop selling arms to Israel, support business divestment and put every pressure on Israel in the UN and other fora. We shouldn’t accede to spurious demands for Palestinian "unity". Hazel Blears’ attack on the Muslim Council of Britain (Daoud Abdullah) for signing the Cairo Declaration was disgraceful

On the media, Israel couldn’t prevent news getting out of Gaza: nor could it stop us hearing some Israeli soldiers have raised concerns.

The economic crisis and Obama come together in important ways. He has stepped up aggression in Afghanistan/Pakistan dressed up as a twin-track (military and civil) approach. But NATO "allies" are still reluctant, and Pakistan looks like fragmenting. The US wants alliances with dodgy warlords but won’t talk to Al-Quaeda or the Taleban. It has three not-very-good choices: first, maintain the status quo, which is not viable; second, substantially increase forces, risking long-term "Vietnamisation"; third, immediate withdrawal. Pakistan is actually more important to the US than Afghanistan.

A questioner suggested Obama’s "difference" is style, not substance. However Carol personally felt he had made a difference on Iran by withdrawing the threat of military action. She believes we should always oppose imperialist wars, however flaky the target.

Questions were raised why StW had denied affiliation to HOPI (Hands Off the People of Iran). HOPI has criticised the Iranian regime for supporting the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and for jailing anti-war Iranians.

 

HANDS OFF GAZA - END THE SIEGE - FREE PALESTINE

Members of the Milton Keynes Stop the War Group joined thousands of other demonstrators in London on Saturday 3 January 2009 to demand an end to the Israeli bombing of Gaza. The march was noisy, passionate and peaceful. Outside Downing street shoes were thrown to express disapproval of our Government's low key condemnation of the Israeli action. Marchers came from all over the country to demand an end to the slaughter of innocent Palestinians civilians.

A second demonstration on Saturday 10th January 2009 saw even more protesters brave the cold weather to march from Hyde Park to the Israeli Embassy in Kensington after hearing some very emotive speeches. More shoes were thrown, this time over the embassy gates.

Although Gaza is no longer in the news, the suffering of its civilians continues as a result of Israel's blockade of Gaza. Aid is literally rotting at the border while thousands of people go hungry. Thousands of people are also homeless as reconstruction has barely begun.

On 16 May 2009 members of the Milton Keynes Stop the War Group and MK members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign attended the "End the siege of Gaza" national demonstration in London

The stall / vigil held outside the MK Shopping centre on Thursday 8th, 15th and 22nd January attracted a lot of attention and received lots of support for the cause.

 

AFGHANISTAN VIGIL - 17 JUNE 2008

Members of the Milton Keynes Stop the War Group and friends held a Vigil on 17 June 2008 outside MK Central Railway Station, in memory of all who have died in Afghanistan.

The Vigil was held in recognition that more than 100 British soldiers have now lost their lives in Afghanistan.

We also remembered the lives of the many Afghan civilians lost in the war.

The names of all the British soldiers who have died were read out together with the names of a similar number of Afghan civilians.

In a simple but moving Vigil leaflets were handed out and some commuters and taxi drivers engaged us in conversation and discussion.

 

 Past Action

National Demonstration 24th February 2007

Around 30 Peace Campaigners from Milton Keynes joined thousands of demonstrators on the streets of London on Saturday 24 February. They were calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq and for the UK not to renew its Trident nuclear weapons system.

Tom Bolton of the MK Stop the War group said:

“Having illegally invaded another country to get rid of non-existent weapons of mass destruction, our government  is planning to  spend thousands of millions of pounds to ensure we keep our actual ability to kill millions and millions of people. Instead of leading an international initiative for nuclear disarmament and meeting our obligations under the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty our government is determined to lock us in to another forty or fifty years of nuclear madness. They are unable to tell us what threat  these weapons could possibly defend us from. The Government claims to be concerned about other countries acquiring nuclear weapons but by its actions it is recommending them to other countries as  necessary for their defence. They are  encouraging proliferation! Nuclear proliferation is a real threat to our safety and security. The more countries possess  these weapons the greater the chance they will fall into the hands of people who will use them.”  

Demonstration at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, 2nd December 2006

On Saturday the 2nd of December nine members of the Milton Keynes Stop The War Group joined 500 or so demonstrators for a march at R.A.F. Brize Norton, the U.K's largest military base. The march was ostensibly to keep up the “Bring The Troops Home” message, but also to protest at the use of the airbase as a supply route to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The march got underway at 1:30pm in almost perfect December weather. The march proceeded past the main gate of the military base, where the names of the dead were read out and flowers were laid. We carried on through the village of Carterton, where we stopped and gathered on the local playing field to listen to some very interesting and moving speeches.

The speakers included:- Andrew Murray and Lindsey German (National Stop The War), Jeremy Corbyn M.P, Caroline Lucas M.E.P., an ex-soldier who had served in the first Gulf War, Kate Hudson (C.N.D.chair) and many more. The event was very well organised and we were glad to have taken part.

Manchester 23rd September 2006

Labour Party Conference Demo & Die-in

Members of the MKSTW Group travelled up to Manchester to join the National Stop the War Coalition Demonstration. Up to 50,000 protesters filled Manchester city centre on the eve of the Labour Party Conference to call for an end to the Bush/Blair wars. When the march surrounded the Conference building, a Die In was held to protest against the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis who have died in the brutal occupation of their country.

The MKSTW Group stall, held on Saturday 9 September 2006 in MK Central, focused on advertising the National Stop the War Coalition Demonstration" Time to Go" held in Manchester on Saturday 23 September. Over 200 leaflets were distributed to members of the public.

100th British Soldier Dies in Iraq - 31st January 2006

MK Stop The War Campaigners gathered outside the Railway Station on Wednesday 1 February between 6.00pm and 7.00pm and held a candle-lit vigil to mark the death of another British soldier in Iraq, the 100th to die so far - and to demand the withdrawal of all British troops still remaining in that country. Tom Bolton of the MK Stop the War group said: "The Milton Keynes Stop the War Group expresses its deep regret at the news that 100 British soldiers have now died in Iraq. With the deaths of over 2,200 US troops and and an uncounted number of Iraqi civilians ( estimated at 200,000 ), is it not time to bring the illegal war in Iraq to an end?

We urge people in Milton Keynes to write to Tony Blair, and to their local MP to demand the immediate withdrawal of all British troops.

It is also time to stop the so-called "war on terror" which is a cover for exploitation and the denial of human and civil rights.

The Iraqis people should be allowed to control their own resources and to determine their own future.

BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!"

Remember Fallujah!

 

Demonstration outside HMP Woodhill

Sunday 28th Nov 2004

15.jpgA rally took place outside Her Majesty's Prison at Woodhill, in Milton Keynes, between 12:30 and 14:30 on Sunday 28 November 2004, to protest against the imprisonment without trial of detainees at Woodhill and Belmarsh prisons.

The rally was attended by about 200 people, who braved heavy rain, united in their reasoned opposition to arbitrary detention and manifest neglect of justice.

The demonstration was entirely peaceful, having been agreed upon in consultations between the Milton Keynes Stop War group and local police officers... More >>>

 

 

 

20th November 2003 Demo Report back

Fifteen people from Milton Keynes boarded two of three completely filled coaches from Kettering and Northampton on Thursday to make their way into London for the Anti-Bush demonstration. Another 12 or so made their way down by train. It was apparent as we got to Malet Street at 1.30 that this was going to be a BIG demo... More >>>

 

19th November 2003- MK action

A dozen or so protesters  unfurled a banner across a footbridge over the M1 Motorway early on the first morning Bush spent on his state visit to Britain. The banner drop, which displayed the message 'Bu$h Go Home' in 20" high letters, was just one of hundreds of protests that occurred across Britain by people disgusted at the presence of the war mongerer in this country... More >>>

[Click here for other Past Events]

MK Group Events...  
 

  • The Stall
    We are holding a stall and vigil for Gaza at TBA at City Square CMK. Coma and join us

  • Occasional Meetings
    From time to time we host discussion meetings or invite speakers with specific expertise to address a special meeting. The next one will be posted on our web site or phone the contact number. All welcome.

  • National Demos
    We will know when the next national demos will be - see the web site or phone the contact number. We like to go as a group so come join us.

  • Planning Meetings
    Next planning meeting will be on TBA. Use the contact details below to find out where this will be held and obtain directions.

What you can do

 

  1. Come to the Saturday Stall
    Once or twice a month at 11:30am near Midsummer Place - exit 6 of CMK. We distribute leaflets, get petitions signed and generally keep the agenda on the public's mind. It is also an opportunity to chat and discuss current issues with each other. You could just come and meet others, pose questions and share your thoughts - you would be most welcome.  See MK Group Events for next stall dates.

  2. Put your name on the stall rota
    We need people to commit themselves to staffing the stall. General duties may involve picking up the equipment, setting up or just being there to provide moral support. On each stall we will need at least 4 people on the rota so you would not be alone. You may choose to commit yourself once a month or even less if you wish.

  3. Take part in organising
    You might have administration skills, be good at organising, or accounting. You may have good ideas or see things from new angles. Whatever your particular skill or knowledge we need your help in organising events and keeping the show on the road. We have a loose steering committee comprising the usual 'officers' but we welcome anyone. Ring the contact number and find out how you could help and when the next meeting is.

  4. Become a member or give a donation
    We are a voluntary group, and to cover the cost of printing, mailings, coach bookings, etc. we rely upon donations from supporters. Membership is also available at £1, from the Stall or from the contacts below

  5. Turning up when needed
    You might be busy and only able to turn up for the odd event. That's fine. Make sure we have your contact details and we will keep you in touch. We will tell you when we need a big turn out for something. But why not write letters to the local press or politicians keeping the issues 'live' with them (see below). We can help. Phyllis Starkey [website / web mail] or Mark Lancaster [website]

  6. See What you can do... on the national coalition website

    7.

Other resources

 

 

MK Group Contact