Sat. June 26, 2010
Unarmed Forces Day
Peace Campaigners Speak Out on Armed Forces Day
On June 26th CND Cymru members will join others who campaign for peace and justice in several events in Ceredigion and in Cardiff. On this the propaganda event ‘armed forces day’ they will be calling for a different way of running the world – for an ‘unarmed force’ of genuine justice and peace which upholds human rights.
In Aberystwyth the Choir of Hope, Côr Gobaith will be supporting the Aberystwyth Palestine Solidarity Campaign as they leaflet in the streets to encourage shoppers to boycott any goods imported from Israel and grown or made on territories which were illegally taken from Palestinian people. Before their event Women in Black will be holding a thirty minute silent vigil urging us all to ‘Remember Gaza’.
In Aberporth, Cymdeithas y Cymod (Wales Fellowship of Reconciliation) will hold a service and vigil at Parc Aberporth, Ceredigion where Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs – drones) and their spying and tracking equipment are being perfected for use by arms companies, for the British military. The service will be led by Cymdeithas y Cymod President, Guto Prys ap Gwynfor and there will be other speakers. They will be joined by local campaigners against the UAV centre form the Bro Emlyn Peace & Justice Group and Aberporth group, ACTIMA.
The use of unmanned drones as weapons of war in conflicts around the world has been called into question by one of Britain’s most senior judges. Lord Bingham, a former senior law lord, said that some weapons were so ‘cruel as to be beyond the pale of human tolerance’.
Jill Gough, National Secretary of CND Cymru said:
‘Many know that if there is to be any healthy, safe future for our children and those all around the world then it is nigh time we learned, as humans, to behave differently. Life on the planet is already damaged by human activity; people are suffering from resource depletion, pollution and disease and poverty – as a result of violence and greed.
‘We want Wales to be part of the solution, not the problem. There will be more of the sort of situations we are seeing in Israel and Palestine, more conflict and further suffering unless we stop fuelling the arms trade – which itself fuels wars. We say ‘No’ to more military development at Aberporth and ‘No’ to the proposed Military Academy at St Athan.’
Ray Davies, Vice Chair of CND Cymru commented this week:
‘Ironically, the tragic milestone of the 300th British death in Afghanistan came just before the start of Armed Forces week. As the endless, pointless war goes on, CND Cymru and Côr Cochion marked the latest casualties with a vigil in Queen St, Cardiff last Wednesday.
‘The majority of the British public do not agree with our involvement in Afghanistan, as reflected by the warm response to the vigil in Cardiff.
‘One passerby in particular stood out. An ex serviceman expressed his gratitude to the vigil as he put a note in the collecting bucket to build the movement to bring the troops home.
I hope our politicians come to their senses so we will not have to hold a vigil for the 1000th death.’
‘We will be on the streets campaigning for peace and justice for all peoples – until we get it!’
ENDS
- For information about Palestine Solidarity Campaign Aberystwyth contact Elizabeth Morley eimorley@rocketmail.com The Aberystwyth Vigil starts at 10.30am in Owain Glyndwr Square.
- Cardiff Vigils, leafleting and singing for peace and justice by Cor Cochion Caerdydd will continue. For more information/interviews contact Ray Davies 02920 889 514
- For More information about the campaign to stop the testing of UAVs/drones at Aberporth see www.bepj.org.uk
- For interviews about Aberporth event contact Jill Gough 01239 85 11 88 (before 10am) m: 07704 675787
