Iraqi Women's Bodies Are Battlefields for War Vendettas By Kavita N. Ramdas, Global Fund for Women

Rose Gentle, mother of Fusilier Gordon Gentle who was killed in Iraq, at her 24 hour peace camp outside 10 Downing Street on 19 October 2005.

G8 Scotland: Two Workshops Sun 3 July 2005
African Women, Asylum & War - Asylum seekers and their supporters organise to end our history of poverty
- 10-11.45am: Adam House, Chambers St, Edinburgh
- 3pm: ONE PLUS, 55 Renfrew Street, Glasgow

Defend the right to protest outside UK Parliament 

A casualty of free speech Independent 10 Dec 05
At first light yesterday, Brian Haw was dragged from his slumber by police officers and arrested. His crime was that his bed - or to be more precise his sleeping bag - is within shouting distance of the Prime Minister's bedroom.
Blair's Britain 2005 - where peaceful protest can be costly

Brian Haw is running as a candidate for Cities of London and Westminster www.parliament-square.org.uk
 

3 August: Defend the Picket's and Everyone's Right to Parliament Sq 
July: Brian Haw established that he has the right to continue his 24-hour protest opposite Parliament - press report
January:  New law aims to ban the right to protest outside Parliament

March 2005:
We Will Not Give Up Our Hard Won Rights!
The Serious Organised Crime & Police Bill is in Committee Stage in the House of Lords and will be debated and amended 5-6 April
Report of 14 March demonstration Parliament Square
Mass protest in Parliament Sq. as Lords debate government banning protests

Feb 2005:
Photos of demonstration, 7 Feb, Parliament Sq, London 
Letter to the Stop the War Coalition
We refuse to be silenced! demonstration jointly called by Military Families against War, Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, Vanessa & Corin Redgrave, John McDonnell MP, Green Party, Trisha Goddard...
All African Women’s Group Support the Right to Protest
PRESS RELEASE

Jan 2005:
Report and leaflet: Parliamentary briefing on the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, Defending the right to protest in Parliament Square

Go to www.parliament-square.org.uk/PR300305.htm  to read more about Brian Haw's court case: Parliament Square Peace Campaigner wins appeal but faces new law stopping protest at heart of government. 

Parliament Square peace campaigner wins again in court
House of Commons Early Day Motion 299  
"Blunkett legislates to silence lone protester at Westminster", Independent on Sunday 24 Oct
Endorse this petition to defend our right to protest in Parliament Square, London
Petition signatories

USA

Letters by Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, and who has been protesting against the war outside Bush's ranch in August. Cindy was a speaker at the Strike's event in Los Angeles in 2004. 
Goodbye to Crawford, but not to Camp Casey
One Mother's Stand: Go Home and Take Care of Your Kids

Mass March & Rally in Los Angeles: Stop the War on Iraq! Bring the Troops Home Now! Money for People's Needs, Not War!

Wed, JULY 20, 6pm: Next Opt Out check-in meeting, Philadelphia
Did you know that Bush’s “No Child Left Behind Act” requires schools to give students’ home phone numbers & addresses to the military? You have the right to Opt Out – refuse to have the school release that info.
Opt Out "check in" meeting, Philadelphia, Wednesday June 22

A disarming personality: Activist working to keep military out of schools, Philadelphia Tribune, May 2005

Los Angeles: March Against the War - Sept 24th

Speech given by Phoebe Jones from the Strike in Philadelphia, USA 20 Jan 2005, at Counter-Inaugural Demonstration, Washington DC

Say No to Bush, War & Occupation come to Jan 20th Counter-Inaugural Demonstration in LA

Mumia Abu-Jamal's message for March 20, 2004--"End Occupations!"

Japan New Japan's Women's Assiciation protest in Tokyo against attack on Fallujah

Rape in Iraq & Afghanistan: 
Neither blood nor rape for oil To Women Legislators of the Coalition of the Willing, Coming clean on rape and other sexual torture of women and girls at the hands of US and UK armed forces or their agents in Iraq and Afghanistan, By Black Women’s Rape Action Project and Women Against Rape
"Rape in Iraq", letter to The Guardian (England), May 24 from Black Women's Rape Action Project and Women Against Rape
Rape and other torture in Iraq - statement from the Global Women’s Strike
Please sign Stop the rape & other torture of Iraqi women and US servicewomen by US military personnel, and women in US Prisons. 
Letter to US Congresswomen from International Women Count Network re: suppression of information about rape in Iraq
"US Government and Pentagon Sanctioning Rapes and Abuses" Excerpts from a paper by Rev. Dorothy Mackey, former US Air Force Captain and Commander who herself suffered rape and sexual assault while a serving officer, at the hands of her colonel and lieutenant colonel. Neither was ever prosecuted.
June 5 Protest in Los Angeles - Neither Blood Nor Rape for Oil, stunning poem by the sister of a US soldier killed in Iraq, & photo of rally.
Survivors of sexual assault by the military, and supporters, go to "the summit" to demand an end to the crime of rape and for benefits and services for rape survivors June, USA

Actions: Throughout the years, the Strike has done many kinds of organising: weekly anti-war pickets in a number of countries, and daily work to defend our right to welfare, healthcare, asylum from deportation, rape and other violence . . .

England - London
Community Picket & Open Mic
Join us Every Wednesday 5.30-7pm in Parliament Square

Press Release: Police give ultimatum to Parliament Square peace protestor, Brian Haw
December 2003: Change of time to community picket in Parliament Square, London
Report of Anti-Bush demo in London 20 Nov 2003
Call for a women's contingent on Anti- Bush demo in London
Press release re: President Bush's visit to London  As huge sums are spent on security arrangements, MPs call for protection for Parliament Square protesters and their rights
Iraqi Women's League appeals to all women and women’s organizations to join our Women’s Contingent at the Anti-Occupation march on Saturday 27 Sept, London
Iraqi Women's League Press Conference 22 Sept, London
Pan African Women's Day, 31 July 2003
Letter from the Iraqi Women's League to Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development,14 April 2003
We are writing to ask for an urgent meeting to raise a number of issues with you.  We are a group of Iraqi women in exile who have come together at the initiative of the Iraqi Women’s League (IWL).  IWL started in 1952 in Iraq and has been active in the UK since 1979 providing support and practical help to Iraqi women in exile...
A Jewish woman speaks out against the Israeli state at the Global Women's Strike Anti-war picket, Parliament Square, London
Defending and building the community anti-war picket
Report from the press conference 'Free Speech in Parliament Square' Tuesday 17 June, 11am, Room W1, House of Commons, Westminster, London. Called by John McDonnell MP with the Parliament Square Peace Camp & Community Picket. Press Releases
Statement from the Strike for the "Disarm DSEi" events London 9-12 Sept against Europe's biggest international arms fair. Visit the Strike stall and workshop on Monday 8 Sept 4-5.30pm.  More information on the week of actions against DSEi visit Disarm DSEi!
Letter from the Strike Community Anti-War Pickets in Galway and London to Caritas Internationalis and Trócaire regarding medicated powdered milk and infant formula going to Iraq as "Humanitarian Aid"
From the Global Women's Strike daily anti-war picket to Oxfam regarding formula going to Iraq as "Humanitarian Aid"
We write from the daily Anti-War Picket on Parliament Square called by the Global Women's Strike.
On Monday 31 March, it was brought to the picket’s attention that over five million tons of infant formula had arrived in Iraq as part of the UK's "humanitarian" aid. This will be distributed by the military, which will also advise mothers how to use it. We are sceptical to say the least. First of all: How? And in what language?
Report and photos of the Daily Picket & Open mic
Indymedia picket report, 18 March 2003
Stunning anti-war song written and performed by a nine-year-old girl click to download
15 minute anti-war stoppage 14 March 2003
Women say no to war, The Weekly Gleaner, Caribbean newspaper, 5 March 2003
Women's contingent on the anti-war demo 28 Sept 2002
Arab & Jewish Women speak out against the holocaust in Palestine May 2002
Report of first of women's weekly pickets October 2001

Guyana
Anti-war statements
Imagine the hard days and nights that women have to spend in bringing up their children, only to have them (mostly poor) join the army to be slaughtered like pigs.
Call for solidarity of Caribbean women with countries threatened by US
Open letter to Guyanese women and men  
A time to break the silence: "At 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Red Thread ended the round-the-clock vigil which it started 312 hours earlier, at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, April 17...  the immediate impetus for the vigil was the kidnapping, torture, and murder of 16-year-old Joshua Bell."
Report of first women's picket October 2001

Ireland - Galway
Picket against war, occupation and deportation at Mill Street Garda Station!  Join us 

Open Letter to Prominent Women in Ireland From Women in the Anti-War Movement Regarding Mary Kelly's Re-Trial
ALERT: Mary Kelly, who took direct action against refuelling warplanes at Shannon airport, Ireland, faces re-trial . . .  watch this space for details of how you can help
Women from San Francisco and London Join Women in Ireland Against War, Occupation, Deportation and Apartheid
Letter from the Strike Community Anti-War Pickets in Galway and London to Caritas Internationalis and Trócaire regarding medicated powdered milk and infant formula going to Iraq as "Humanitarian Aid"
Women Say Scrap the Bye-Laws or We'll Have to Break the Law! 
protesting proposals in Galway, Ireland which would restrict the right to hand out leaflets or have public events
Report from anti-war march at Shannon airport, Ireland 21 June 2003
Picket news from Ireland, 4 June 2003
Garda 'Jokes' About Taking a Baton to Women and a Child, 16 April
Protests against Bush & Blair, 7 April
Striking out for a world without military budgets, Irish Examiner 28 March
Women oppose war because we are the first carers for people and planet, and because we pay the highest price, with our lives and with the lives of those in whom we have invested our time and care.
Gardai Forced to Stop Work Due to the Noise!
Ireland Strike Action News 1
Picket of Mill St Garda station, 26 March
Strike Actions in Ireland on the Day War Began and Continuing Action to Stop War Across Ireland
Press release, 18 March
Shannon, Global Women's Strike against oil wars and all wars 8 December 2002

Italy- Palermo
Demonstration by school kids 9 April 2003

USA 
NEWS FLASH: US radio station, KPFK features new show with Margaret Prescod. Beginning Tuesday, July 15 2003, Margaret Prescod, from the Global Women's Strike in Los Angeles, will host a regular show on KPFK radio. The show will be from 7-8:00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so tune in. And email KPFK to let them know what you think - pd@kpfk.org. 

Los Angeles
ANTI-WAR MARCH AND RALLY, Los Angeles USA
Demonstrate Against Occupation in Iraq, Haiti, Palestine, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2004
June 5 Protest - Neither Blood Nor Rape for Oil
Protest against Bechtel Corporation, dowtown LA, Tuesday, March 2nd, 5-6PM
Global Day of Action: Stop the Corporate Invasion of Iraq, 24 Feb, 4-6pm LA
Protest Against Bechtel Corporation, Feb 10, 5-6pm
Morning Review, the Sojourner Truth Edition for Feb 10, 7-8am
'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised', Feb 14, 5:40pm
San Gabiel Valley and El Sereno Vigils
Opposing the Patriot Act: an Open Letter to the American Civil Liberties Union and Civil Liberties Defense Coalition. 
ACLU and CLDC weaken opposition to Patriot Act says Global Women's Strike. ChangeLinks Newspaper June 2003.
Upcoming events in LA for Sat, December 13
Call to vigil against Bechtel Corporation 
Join Women and Men in Protesting Military/Corporate Occupation in Iraq and Elsewhere! Don't let Bush and Bechtel Off the Hook! 707 Wilshire Blvd. Downtown Los Angeles at Hope St.
TUESDAY NOV. 25, AND EVERY TUESDAY, 5 - 6PM
Leaflet for weekly protest and vigil at Bechtel Corporation, Los Angeles
Report of Anti-occupation Halloween protest against "truly scary" Bechtel Corporation, LA
Women's Contingent on International Protest to End Occupation in Iraq and Palestine and Everywhere! 28 September, Los Angeles
Video Cafe: Women Say No to War and Occupation in the Middle East
ACTION ALERT! Bush is coming to LA on June 27! Mass protest against his Policies! Global Women's Strike invites you to participate in a Women's Contingent
Women's anti-war Action in Hollywood Sunday 13 April 2003
Women's anti-war action 2 April
Stop the US War on Iraq and the Whole World Sunday, March 30th 2003
LA events calendar 20-25 March
Emergency Notice, March 21
Women's Contingent, March 15 protest
Join the women’s contingent to the antiwar protest January 11^th 2003
A Community Dialogue: Speakout Against War & For the Right to Welfare Dec 2002
PRESS RELEASE  Welfare Mothers and Other Caregivers to Speak Out Against War December 6, 2002

Philadephia
Letter from an American nurse on trial for anti-war protest who wore 'Invest in Caring Not Killing' T-shirt in court
Press report of July 4 protest "5000 gathered at Franklin Square and marched through Center City to oppose U.S. policies"
National Protest in Philadelphia on July 4th and Women's Action July 3, part of national protests in Philly the week of July 4 (Independence Day) to Stop US Wars at Home and Abroad.
National Protest in Philadelphia on July 4th to Stop U.S. Wars at Home and Abroad.
Testimony given by Nancy Carroll to Philadelphia School Reform Commission, April 16, 2003
Video Cafe: "Billions for war and not a dollar for a child" - Welfare Mothers Speak Out December 2002

Washington DC
Women's contingent on march to stop the war against Iraq October 26, 2002
GWS speech at the A20 anti-war mobilization

San Francisco
Women Say No to Bechtel! June 5th action, San Fransisco From Iraq to Big Mountain to Palestine to Bolivia: Every Life Is Of Value!  Women pay the highest price for the real ‘axis of evil’: war, privatization and globalization, and Bechtel profits from all three.  Women are holding Bechtel accountable for its crimes.
Boycott Israeli products at Rainbow! 22 March. Women support the boycott of Israeli products in Rainbow Grocery as an anti-war action!
Video Cafe: Women Say No to War and Occupation in the Middle East
No life is "collateral damage", picket outside the CNN October 2001

Other USA
US Cities which have passed anti-war resolutions
More than 58 U.S. City Councils have passed resolutions opposing war in Iraq. Anti-war resolutions are pending in 70 more communities. Faced with crushing budget deficits, safety concerns about urban terrorist attacks that might accompany a strike against Iraq, and the prospect of their constituents fighting a costly and bloody war, growing numbers of City Councils have passed public resolutions that express mainstream American concerns about a possible war in the Middle East and its domestic repercussions
Milwaukee: Welfare Warriors - Join the Moms on Strike Bus Tour, 8 March 2003
US labor against the war
“The principal victims of a war will be the sons and daughters of working class families serving in the military and innocent Iraqi civilians. The billions of dollars needed for the action will come from schools, hospitals, housing, and social security. The war push is already serving as a pretext for attacks on labor, civil, immigrant and human rights at home as well as a distraction for the sinking economy, corporate corruption, and layoffs.”  (US Labor Against the War resolution)

Other US sectors opposing the war:
Churches
Politicians
Students, Academics, Women &  People of Color
Veterans
Other US-based actions against the war

12 April 2003 - international anti war actions took place in:
Adelaide (13.04), Athens (16.04), Auckland, Antwerp, Basel, Berlin, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Channo, Copenhagen, Cyprus, Delhi, Dhaka, Dubrovnik, Glasgow, Gothenburg, Gujrat, Haifa, Halmstad, Helsinki (13.04), Hiroshima (7.04), Hong Kong, Hoshiarpur, Hyderabad, Joensuu, Khartoum, Kolkata, Ljubljana, London, Los Angeles, Macedonia, Madrid, Malmo, Managua, Manilla, Maribor, Melbourne, Mexico City, Montreal, Oslo, Osijek, Ottawa, Oulu, Paris (+ 50 other French cities), Patna, Puerto Rico, Poznan, Quebec, Pula, Regina, Rijeka, Rome, Rotterdam, Salonika, San Francisco, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Sao Paulo, Seattle, Seoul, Shannon, Sherbrooke, Split, Stockholm, Sydney (13.04), Tokyo, Trois Rivières, Vaasa, Vancouver, Victoria (13.04), Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vukovar, Warsaw, Washington, Zadar, Zagreb ...and lights out all over Spain.

International anti-war women's contingents, 15 February 2003 
London: Guardian report of 15 Feb anti-war demo including the Strike
Calling all women to a women's contingent on the anti-war protest Saturday 15 February
Call to all Women of Colour - join the women's contingent
Philadelphia: women's contingent and feeder march to the Feb 15 Philadelphia Regional Anti-War March
Los Angeles: join the women's contingent 15 February

London marchers from Left to Right:

• Women's contingent led by women of colour, London 15 February 2003. 

• Views of millions marching in London.  Media reports estimate 1.5 - 2 million people marched in London. The orange Global Women's Strike banner can be seen above in the top right corner. 

• School children left school and walked to Parliament in protest against the war,  London 5 March 2003. 

• Marchers walk past Big Ben and Parliament

Anti-war Statements
A Jewish woman speaks out against the Israeli state at the Global Women's Strike Anti-war picket, Parliament Square, London
Iraqi woman in Britain
Women in Uganda
Interview with a Palestinian Woman in London joining the Strike
Pakistani woman living in Britain
Statement from the Strike against the bombing of Afghanistan, 2001, also in:
Albanian   Español   Francais   Svenska   Arabic

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