SOAS Mature Students Officers debut event

SOAS Mature Students and SOAS Stop the War society go to see Mother Courage, one of the most astonishing stage creations of the twentieth century, drags her cart across the battlefields, profiteering
from a war that destroys her children, one by one.

"It isn’t easy, starting a war, but nothing worthwhile is easy. And once you’re in, you’re hooked like a gambler, you can’t afford to walk away from
the crapshoot once you’re deep into it."

Followed by drinks and discussion in a private room at the Oxo Tower.

£15 including ticket and drinks. Please let us know if you are TOTALLY skint and we will see what we can do.

planning mtg & debrief

Following the brilliant demo on Saturday we are meeting today to discuss what next. All welcome to this mtg and plz bring people with you.

The Institute of Education is just next door to Soas. Call 07850 177637 if u can't find us.

Bring new ideas and suggestions

see u later...

[Posted with iBlogger from my iphone ]

demo report back

Saturdays demo was great. Soas students began the day by marching down Oxford St (see video below).



We chanted 'da3man helwa al-hurriya (freedom is always beautiful) and taught passersby how to join in this Arabic chant! We sang 'we all live in a terrorist regime' and handed out leaflets as we did so. We got to know the new students and began planning further activity as we marched. Soas students were lively and highspirited for the whole day.

A woman in her 60's came up to us and said how much she enjoyed marching with us but that she had nothing to compare with since this was her first ever demo. She had come all the way from Cornwall because she 'felt so angry about this war' and felt powerless on her own but coming to the demo had renewed her belief in humanity.

One of the most bonkers thing on the demo was the Iranian 'Halal Leather Jackets' theatre group. They said that only 2% of the Muslims own a quality Spanish designer leather jacket! Not quite sure what the subtext was?!! I thought I videoed it but must have only pressed record after thinking I was filming since I then filmed two minutes of my feet and me chatting to Viva about how bonkers the leather jacket thing was!!

Anyway, it pleased me to see that someone had poured red colouring into the fountains-how much more blood will be shed in Afghanistan before these governments start listening to the people?



This lovely man was starting to struggle by the end but he kept going-what a trooper.



A small delegation of us made an impromptu march down to Downing st to attempt to deliver a petition. A woman called Kay persuaded the police to let her in to do so. We don't know her full name so if anyone does please let us know. Well done Kay.

Assed Baig brought loads of new activists from the Uni where he is now President of the Students Union and they said they had a great time.

As did we all.

Well done to everyone who spent time building this great demo. See u at the next one.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iphone ]

Our lovely banner...

See u soon

This is how it's done...

Students' Union elections TMRW (Wednesday)

Dear SOAS Stop the War people and supoprters,

Tomorrow there are the Students' Union elections. We are not allowed to tell you who to vote for but we can tell you that we want you to vote for people who speak out against wars and who we think would represent us best in our vibrant union. You can read their manifestos on the walls around the union and behind the ballot box.

VOTE WED 24 Oct from 10am to 5pm in the main stairwell. Remember to bring your student ID.

The Students' Union is affiliated to Stop the War Coalition and on the ballot paper there is also a section for us to vote to keep this affiliation. PLEASE make sure you tick this box too. It sends a very strong message when an entire Union is affiliated.

Good luck to all the candidates standing...

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National Demonstration THIS Saturday

Reminder for National demonstration: 24 October 2009

As you have seen around campus we are preparing for our own little action on Saturday ahead of the national demo. Please bring anything noisy with you (margerine containers and wooden spoons will be fine). We want the whole of Oxford St to know what we are protesting about. An end to the occupation of Afghanistan and to all these wars.

The more people that meet us at SOAS the more impact we will have so PLEASE come to the SOAS meet up point.

Assemble 11am at SOAS to march via Oxford St to Hyde Park to meet the rest of the demo then on to Trafalgar Square
Called by Stop the War Coalition, CND and BMI
The march will be lead by anti-war military families & soldiers

Speakers include: Peter Brierley, who recently refused to shake Tony Blair's hand because it had his son blood on it; Lance Cpl Joe Glenton, serving soldier facing court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan; George Galloway MP; musician and poet Lowkey.

Call 07931 365 731 or 07850 177 637 for more info or if you are late.

See you there.

Rethink Afghanistan filmshowing THIS Tuesday (tmrw!)

Stop the War Society: Filmshowing & discussion Rethink Afghanistan

Date: Tuesday 13th October
Time: 5.30pm
Venue: JCR

Stop the War society is showing the first 3 parts of Robert Greenwald's new documentary 'Rethink Afghanistan' offering a strong critique of the escalation of the war in that country. Subjects include the consequences of escalation, Pakistan and the cost of the war. Stick around afterward for a chat about the issues raised. Part 2 next week!

We are building for the National Demonstration on 24 October. SOAS is looking to build a lively, militant contigent so please let everyone know. Let us know if you have any musical instuments, samba bands etc - music makes the demo even more lively!

** Banner and Flag making on Wednesday lunchtime on the steps** Come add your voice to the banners...

From soas.stopthewar@gmail.com

Welcome

Welcome to the SOAS Stop The War Society blogspot.

We aim to use this site to keep members updated on all events, meetings and general news of the society. If you would like more information on the stance of this society check out the Stop The War Coalition website.

More information will be provided soon on upcoming events but as it stands we aim to have a STW Stall outside SOAS(Russell Sq. Campus) every Thursday in the run up to the National Demonstration against the war in Afghanistan on 24th October. The SOAS Stop The War group will be meeting at the steps outside the main building at 11am on the 24th.

Also in the run-up to the 24th Demo will be the screening of a film entitled "Rethink Afghanistan" on the 13th (Tuesday) and 14th (Wednesday) October at the Khalili Lecture Theatre starting at 6:30.

If you're interested in joining the group, want any extra information on what we stand for, or have any queries at all do not hesitate to e-mail at

soas.stopthewar@gmail.com