I went to listen to Hastings’ first Stop the War meeting this evening. I learned that…
They are kidnapping young Ukrainian men off the streets — working class men mostly – the other kind have ways of avoiding this fate. They are sent to the front, where the average lifespan of a new arrival is 4 hours.
FOUR HOURS.
Some German politicians have considered forced repatriation of fugitive Ukrainians. The war needs more victims.
Across Europe, young people are resisting, protesting, staging school strikes.
In Germany, the government continues to cut education, health and welfare budgets, and tells its beleaguered youth there’s a better life in the army.
(For an average of 4 hours.)
This was the story told to us by German anti-war activist Felix Kreklow Rojas.
Who wants their kids sent off to die in a war? Hardly anyone. We are in the majority.
We also heard from Roxi Farhadi of Brighton and Hove Stop the War. She told us about some of the places where our country is helping to raise the amount of war that’s going on in the world.
I think we’ve all heard by now about RAF Akrotiri, and about the UK helping Israel target its victims.
There is also British activity in the Ukraine-Russia war – as well as our politicians and media pulling muscles to sell us that particular war.
The UAE is using weapons supplied by the UK in its genocidal attacks on Sudan.
And we’ve noted that because our government allows attacks on Iran from US Fairford, Iran now considers bases in the UK legitimate targets in war.
Who wants the UK to be the target of military attacks? Hardly anyone. We are in the majority.
That’s always the consequence. Any country is allowed to respond to attack, to defend itself, so everywhere our politicians and our weapons industry contribute UK activity in a war, they make us a new enemy, expose us to another risk of attack.
And we heard from Dr Stuart Griffiths, an ex Para, who’s been on tours of duty in Northern Ireland, among other places. He told us what it’s like to be really hated. He told us about a photo-journalist who used to work in war zones – Vietnam, amongst other places. He said he wouldn’t do it now. He said if a soldier points a gun at you, as a journalist you can pray he has a moral compass. You can’t even do that with drones.
Who wants to be chased down by killer drones? Hardly anyone. We are in the majority.
For once, we are the majority
Most people really do not want war. Most people never do. So, when we got to the Q and A, I asked the panel how we should approach those who are yet to be convinced that war is a minority choice and for all its victims, soldiers and targets alike, a bad choice.
Roxi said Stop The War have a stall in town in Brighton, they talk to people of all opinions, they let them know the dialogue is open.
Felix said keep calm, keep discussing. People don’t change their minds all in a moment.
Stuart said, reach out to them with music.
Someone else asked, as a member of our generation to the younger folks there, ‘how can we help?’
Roxi said most young people don’t have much hope right now. Their futures stolen by austerity and by climate breakdown, their lives threatened by war so yes – support them, speak up with them and for them.
Who wants their kids in a state of despair? Hardly anyone. We are in the majority.
Give us better jobs
Hastings is having a ‘Give Us Better Jobs’ fair next month. If you’re in the area, please come along…
… and in the meantime, tell everyone – including the dratted politicians — we are the majority. Most people do not want war. So, let’s…
Make more noise
Like they did in Sandwich today…
This and the header pic are from today’s blockade of the Elbit factory in Sandwich, Kent.
Who wants to support this generation growing up under threat of war and climate crisis? We are in the majority. Let’s make more noise.
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