15 March 2005: For immediate release
END THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ: NO MORE BUSH WARS
Peace camp in Trafalgar Square, Wednesday 16th to Saturday 19th March
Press call: 5pm, Wednesday 16th March, Trafalgar Square
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, will join peace and anti-war campaigners sleeping in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday night. Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a three day long peace camp to protest against ‘the ongoing bloody occupation of Iraq’ and to send a very clear message No more Bush wars, Don’t attack Iran”.
This is the first time that there has ever been a peace camp in Trafalgar Square. It will be a colourful and peaceful environment to let the warmongers know that a peaceful world is possible. There will be speakers, performance, arts and entertainment. The aim of the camp is to draw public attention to the demands of the national demonstration on 19 March – End the Occupation of Iraq: No More Bush Wars.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said,
“This peace camp will reflect our message that there is a peaceful alternative to the violent, aggressive, warmongering policies that led to the war on Iraq and the deaths of thousands of innocent people.
We are calling for an end to the ongoing bloody occupation of Iraq, but we are also asking the question where next Mr Bush? Will the horror Bush and Blair have created in Iraq be repeated elsewhere? Recent reports suggest that there is a real threat of military action against Iran. The US used the threat of nuclear weapons being developed as an excuse to attack Iraq. The same language and pressure is being used on Iran. It is vital that we say no more Bush wars, don’t attack Iran.”
The Peace Camp has been organised by Stop the War and supported by CND and others.
end
Notes to Editor:
1. For further information and interviews please contact Ruth Tanner CND’s Press & Communications Officer on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. For further information about the camp please contact Andrew Burgan on 07939242229
3. The peace camp in Trafalgar Square will be a positive and peaceful event. It will be a family friendly camp and children will be very welcome. In this spirit there will be no drugs or alcohol at the camp. To ensure that this is a comfortable and pleasant experience for everyone we will be actively encouraging people to keep the camp clean and tidy. Security is extremely important to us. It is important that this is an inclusive and safe environment. The camp will have a woman only space. The two head stewards each night will be a man and a woman. There will also be GLA wardens there every night and medical support will be on site.
4. Each evening of the camp there will be special events: Wednesday 16th – press call at 5pm – Followed by an evening with Mark Steel 7pm, Thursday 17th – Tony Benn and Jeremy Corbyn MP discuss ‘Bush wars and terror laws’ 7.30pm onwards, Friday 18th – Forum – Military Families Against the War, Followed by Hip Hop Against the War
19th March Demonstration
5. PRESS CONFERENCE of CND, Stop the War and MAB to launch the demonstration will take place 10.30am Thursday 17th March, Room A, 1 Parliament Street, Whitehall.
6. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Speakers Corner 10am – Where next Mr Bush, George Bush will be throwing (Bomb) darts at a map of the world. He has hit Iraq already resulting in 100,000 deaths. Where next, Iran? CND weapons inspectors will be there to say No more Bush Wars. For further information and interviews please contact Ruth Tanner CND’s Press & Communications Officer on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
7. Speakers at the rally include Ken Livingstone, Shami Chakrabarti (Director of Liberty), Pro Jo Fahey (Pax Christi USA), Martin Mubanga, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Tony Benn, Bruce Kent, Caroline Lucas MEP, Kate Hoey MP, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, George Galloway, Louise Richards (War on Want) Mark Serwotka (PSU), Paul Mackney (NATFHE), Bob Crow (RMT), Speakers from Stop the War, CND, MAB and Military Families Against the War, School Student and NUS rep, The rally will be chaired by Kate Hudson, Chair of CND, Andrew Murray, Chair of Stop the War and Anas Altikriti (MAB)
8. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.