Month: August 2020

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Soldier’s Protest Against British Arms to Saudi Arabia

A British soldier from the Electronic Warfare Regiment has taken a stand against the UK backed Saudi-led war on Yemen by protesting outside the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in full uniform.

Ahmed Al-Babati was filmed with a sign beside him that read ‘I REFUSE TO CONTINUE MY MILITARY SERVICE UNTIL THE DEAL WITH SAUDI COMES TO AN END’ before being led away by military police.

In a pre-recorded statement Al-Babati spelled out his opposition to the continuing sale of arms to the Saudi regime:

“I joined the army in 2017 and took an oath to protect and serve this country, not to be part of a corrupt government that continues to arm and support terrorism. What made this decision so easy for me and why I choose to sacrifice a lot of things including possibly my freedom is for the simple fact that me myself as somebody that was born in Yemen I could have easily fell victim to one of those air strikes or died out of hunger. I’ve seen enough not to speak out and I’d rather sleep peacefully in a cell than stay silent for a paycheck.” We support Al-Babati because we believe that the armed forces should not be pursuing aggressive wars abroad. We urge that no disciplinary action is taken against Al-Babati’s stand of conscience. Please sign and share the petition below in support of his actions.

SIGN AND SHARE THE PETITION
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XR Autumn Rebellion

WE WANT TO LIVE – CLIMATE NOT TRIDENT

Join us to be part of Extinction Rebellion (XR)’s autumn rebellion – from your own home, garden, local streets – the choice is yours! Powefully named ‘We Want to Live’ – a message at the heart of CND’s own campaigning – XR is calling on us all to take local action over the August Bank Holiday weekend, prior to events starting on 1st September.

So please join with us to raise awareness of the climate emergency, to demand change and to highlight the crucial links between climate change and nuclear weapons – the twin existential threats that we face.

Due to social-distance requirements, this Rebellion will not be the same as the one we joined last October. But there are still plenty of actions we can take. Here a just a few ideas!

  • Arrange a socially-distanced flash mob in your town or village centres, like Yorkshire CND did recently in Bradford.
  • Print and colour in this poster. Be as colourful and creative as you can! Take photos to tweet and share on social media over the weekend – use hashtag #ClimateNotTrident, then send us your photos.
  • Contact your local XR group to get involved with their activities and make sure they incorporate the Climate not Trident message
  • Email your local MP to explain why issues of climate change and nuclear weapons go hand in hand
  • Write to your local paper to explain why getting rid of Trident is an environmental issue. You may want to use this briefing for inspiration

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Peace and Nuclear Disarmament in Africa and the world

Unfold Zero invites you to join an online event on September 3 (4:30pm GMT) with Ela Gandhi and some special friends to discuss Peace, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in Africa and the World, the legacy of  Mahatma Gandhi for protecting current and future generations.

The event commemorates the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the UN – the birth of hope for global peace and disarmament. It is being sponsored by the Gandhi Development Trust, Phoenix Settlement Trust, Religions for Peace South Africa and the World Future Council.

Click here to register

CHAIR:
Ela Gandhi (South Africa). Founder of the Gandhi Development Trust. Co-President of Religions for Peace.

SPEAKERS:

  • Maria Espinosa (Ecuador). Member, World Future Council. President of the UN General Assembly (2018-2019). Former Ecuador Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  • Nuriya Azamatova (Kazakhstan). Organizer of Youth Peace Week Kazakhstan. Member of the Youth Group of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation. Member of the Abolition 2000 Youth Network.
  • Divina Malloum (Cameroon). Founder of Children for Peace. Co-winner of the 2019 International Children’s Peace Prize.
  • Tamara Lorincz (Canada). PhD candidate, Balsillie School for International Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University). Expert on the military impact on the environment. Board member of World Beyond War.
  • Alyn Ware (New Zealand/Czech Republic). Global Coordinator, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. Consultant, International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms. Author, Religions for Peace Guide on Nuclear Disarmament.
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day photos

A big thank you to everyone who joined us in St. John’s Gardens our commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings and a special thank you to Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Anna Rothery who laid a wreath in memory of all the victims.

A selection of photos from the event is below.