Yorkshire CND Issue 96

Summer 2018 Action for Peace The Yorkshire CND Newsletter CND Symbol coming to a town near you! The role of the iconic CND symbol - the internationally recognised peace sign - is being marked by the Now More Than Ever tour of Britain throughout this 60th anniversary year. A giant three-dimensional symbol installation will visit more than twenty dramatic locations across Britain, including several in Yorkshire from 1-8 July. We will have the symbol in Calderdale on 2nd July, at the Ribbleshead Viaduct in conjunction with Grassington Peace Group on 3rd July, at the annual Independence from America demo at Menwith Hill on 4th July (see inside). On 5th July we will be in York outside the Minster from 12- their own country. 2pm, to coincide with CND General Secretary Kate Hudson doing a book signing in the city that evening Finally, on Sunday 8th July, we are in Leeds outside at Waterstones (see inside). On Saturday we will be the Jobs Not Bombs conference taking place at Mill heading up to Fylingdales with some of our South Hill Chapel in City Square (see inside). Please get in Korean friends, who are in the country researching touch if you can help put it up in any of these places our US bases to compare with those stationed in or come along and support us. Summer Peace & Craft Fair Outlawing Nukes - Update Building on the success of the winter fair, we’re The Ban Treaty – or the Treaty on the Prohibition of running a similar, slightly smaller event on June 16th. Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was opened for signatures There’ll still be music and activities for children in- at the UN on 20th September. It will enter into force cluding circus skills, face-painting, badge-making and (become legal) when 50 nations have signed and more, as well as the usual mix of quality crafts and ratified it. The Treaty text was agreed by 122 states inspiring campaigns. (with 1 against) in a vote on 7th July last year. So far, We’re looking out for volunteers who can help on the 58 nations have signed it and 10 of those have also day - get in touch with Cath in the office if you could ratified it through their governmental procedures. help with the cafe, the door, the Y CND stall or the It takes a long time for the signing and ratification children’s activities. And if you can’t do that, then at processes to take place and the treaty is making least help us publicise it by passing on the leaflet good so far. enclosed or putting it in your window Our government has so far ignored or spoken out against the TPNW, which would outlaw nuclear weapons for all states, preferring instead the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which divides the world into Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) and Non-Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS). The NPT is reviewed by signatory states in the UN every 5 years and in between holds annual Preparatory Committees (or Prepcoms) to discuss progress/ examine issues. The most recent Prepcom was continued on page 4

Inside Bradford vs the Bomb, Menwith Hill demo, Nuclear Convoy spotting, student activism round-up, Jobs Not Bombs conference, and more...... Bradford vs The Bomb Yorkshire CND has joined forces with the Bradford Literature Festival for a special panel event marking the 60th anniversary of CND on 4th July 7.30pm- 10.00pm. CND began in 1958 following the publication in The New Statesman of an article by Bradfordian J. B. Priestley. Since then, Bradford has played a major part in the development of CND, becoming one of the UK’s first Nuclear Free Zones in 1981. Speakers: Kate Hudson, General Secretary of CND. David Kennedy - Dave worked in the mills before ending up as a serious man in a suit at Bradford Council where his best job was Nuclear Free Zone Co- of CND in order to make music ordinator. He was closely involved in at peace marches in the 1980s, establishing The Peace Museum. YCND New Privacy and they continue to march Michael Randle - Michael has been today. Policy In order to comply with new data active in the peace movement since the Tickets from https:// regulations, Yorkshire CND has early 1950s. He was a Member of the bradfordlitfest.ticketsolve. drafted a privacy policy. This can Direct Committee Against Nuclear War, com/shows/1173587379 be accessed online at https:// and its Aldermaston March Committee. yorkshirecnd.org.uk/privacy-pol- Michael is an editor of A Guide to Civil (Eagle-eyed members will spot icy/ Resistance. the clash with the Menwith This outlines how we protect your Hill 4th July commemorations, The Peace Artistes - The Peace Artistes data and your rights. For a paper details below, but it is just band was formed by Peace Studies copy phone 01274 730795 possible to do both). students from Bradford and members Menwith Hill - Annual Independence from America Demo The Independence from Amer- from Bradford, and we are subsi- with Bradford vs The Bomb (see ica Day demonstration will be dising that so that it is free. Please above), but if enough people wish on Wednesday 4th July 4 - 8pm get in touch if you want a space, as to attend both, we will endeavour to outside the Main Gate at Menwith. soon as possible. make that happen. Organised by Menwith Hill Ac- Unfortunately there is a clash countability Campaign, this event is always really fantastic, so definitely worth making the effort. Speakers confirmed from Con- science (Peace Tax Campaign) and Trident Ploughshares, Michael McGowan, Dave Webb and poetry from Vet- erans for Peace. The Commoners Choir who entertained us so brilliantly at the 60th do recently will also be there. There will be a minibus Nuclear Convoy Spotting in Yorkshire Our brilliant Yorkshire nukewatchers have been managing to spot the nuclear weapon convoys most times it has passed through Yorkshire recently. The latest convoy (at time of going to press) was on 16th May, and was spotted by Jo and Bracken from Objectors. We heard testimony about Pontefract at Wentbridge, and then by ICO Day, Sheffield. the hardships endured by COs in the Sylvia and Hugh further up the A1 as it Sheffield SCRAP and Sheffield went into RAF Leeming. CND comemorated International UK in WW1 and about the courage Conscientious Objectors Day on of Conscientious Objectors in Israel Nuclear warheads are regularly 15th May. We marked the courage and South Korea. We sang songs transported for hundreds of miles of those who have stood for peace of peace and laid a wreath at the along UK roads between the warhead in the past and stand for peace Cenotaph in Barkers Pool (pictured factory near Aldermaston and the now by becoming Conscientious above). Trident submarine base in Scotland. With each lorry carrying lethal radioactive materials including up to 8kg of plutonium, any accident involving an explosion or fire could lead to a radioactive plume spreading for miles. No radiation warning symbols are carried and neither the public nor local authorities are warned of these nuclear convoys. Nukewatch UK monitors these convoys in order to keep MPs, journalists, local communities, and councillors informed. If you can help spot a convoy contact [email protected] or Sylvia via the YCND office. Syria Crisis A chemical attack is horrific, and Military strikes will not serve to expose Theresa May’s shock decision to should be roundly condemned. No- the truth about the chemical attack nor bypass parliament and join the US one wants to stand by and do nothing hold anyone accountable. They were and France in bombing Syria last if Assad is guilty (although in our purely for show, by self-interested month was met by protests around view the daily horrors that Assad is parties that are themselves deeply the country and here in Yorkshire. inflicting on innocent people already implicated in crimes against humanity The emergency demo pictured (with make him guilty). As Mohammed and war crimes being committed our YCND banner in the background) Elmaazi argues in an article published in Syria. We cannot hold people to took place in Leeds and was well- originally in OpenDemocracy.net and account for committing war crimes by attended. It was a reminder that republished on the Yorkshire CND committing further actual war crimes. having a peace group or anti-war website, “unfortunately, the only group meeting regularly in a city is We may not be able to stop “something” offered to the British, very useful to coordinate response to the horrors in Syria but we can American and French public was the such events, as well as for planning certainly reduce them pressuring launching of a military assault inside ahead for demos (such as against our governments to desist in their Syria – a sovereign state – which has Trump’s upcoming visit to the UK.) complicity in war crimes, including the attacked neither Britain, America or arming (directly or indirectly) of Salafi- There are divergent opinions on the France. Humanitarian options like jihadist groups, their support for the left about the crisis in Syria, a multi- taking in refugees are not on the unlawful Turkish invasion of Northern layered conflict fast becoming a proxy table. The only response to use of Syria, as well as opposing any military war. But we can agree that Britain violence by the Syrian government strikes against the country. and its ‘Allies’ have fuelled conflict is even more violence by the self- by selling arms to various factions proclaimed leaders of the “free (a policy that has led us to some world”.” On the Y CND website there is an difficult places before!) and then have If a military response is deemed informative article about the role of UK spurned refugees that the conflict bases in the attack on Syria. It is too necessary by the UN, it should has created. Now they are punishing long to print here, but see https://york- definitely not be carried out by the US Assad’s alleged war crimes by shirecnd.org.uk/the-role-of-uk-bases- or the UK, with their bloody history of committing war crimes of their own. in-the-syria-bombing/ provoking conflict in the Middle East. held in Geneva in April/May and Student activism for peace there the UK condemned the actions of North Korea but spoke Another academic year Yorkshire students attended the Warwick Peace Conference, and out against the TPNW saying heard talks from CND and ICAN “Negotiating an international is coming to ban on nuclear weapons will not an end, so let’s take a look back bring us closer to the goal of a at some of the world without nuclear weapons”. fantastic things The UK seems to see the Treaty that students as a danger to the NPT and to have been up to the so-called ‘nuclear stability’ this year. achieved by it (have they followed the news recently?). This is not The CND group what the vast majority of the world at the University thinks however. The NNWS are of York is increasingly frustrated and angry going strong and continuing at the lack of progress by the to campaign NWS, despite their commitment against Trident. through Article 6 of the NPT “to Students at the pursue negotiations in good faith University of Bradford organised representatives of CND, Pugwash, on effective measures relating to a “Peace Project” event. They and several universities. nuclear disarmament”. So, the discussed what peace means and Students for Global Health at Leeds NNWS argue that a process to made peace cranes to send to University held a well attended ban nuclear weapons, coming Hiroshima. It was a huge success talk about nuclear disarmament. about from discussion about their so they have decided to try and Students in Sheffield attended an humanitarian effects, has the take the project into schools. event about nuclear power and are potential to prevent the NPT’s At Leeds Beckett University pushing for greener alternatives on collapse. students have organised several campus. They were also outraged The US and North Korea have fantastic events throughout to discover that their university demonstrated that nuclear the year, including discussions were doing research for Rolls- weapons are the ultimate tool on the Manhattan Project, and Royce on the next generation of of global bullies and are not a full day conference about Trident submarines, and will be in safe hands. The sooner the Nuclear Disarmament and non- campaigning for their university to world wakes up and breaks the proliferation. The conference end arms research. brought students from across deadlock in progress towards Rachel Melly, Student Coordinator nuclear disarmament the better! Leeds together to hear talks from Trident Ploughshares lobbies parliament CND at 60 - Book Last month, ten campaigners from They listed the 58 countries which Trident Ploughshares entered have already signed the UN Global Signing, York. Parliament and used banners and Ban and shamed the UK for not Kate Hudson is the General Sec- theatrical performance to demand also signing. They carried on per- retary of CND. She is a leading an- that the UK signs up to the Nuclear forming and singing for over half an ti-nuclear and anti-war campaigner Weapon Ban Treaty. hour despite being surrounded by nationally and internationally. Kate Members of Trident Ploughshares armed police! will be discussing her new book, entered the lobby CND at 60, at an event at Water- of Parliament stones bookshop, 15 Coney Street to coincide with York YO1 9Q. Prime Minister’s Timed to coincide with the 60th an- Questions, and niversary, and drawing on archive displayed banners material and interviews with activ- and performed a ists from across the decades, the piece of theatre book situates CND’s current work in to communicate the context of the Trump presiden- their demand that cy and increasing global tensions the UK signs and around nuclear weapons. ratifies the Treaty Tickets - https://www.water- on Prohibition of stones.com/events/an-evening- Nuclear Weapons. with-kate-hudson-cnd-at-60/york Conference - UK Defence Diversification The UK arms industry has been Barnaby Pace haemorrhaging jobs for decades. is a researcher Despite increasing international and writer on the arms sales (particularly to the arms trade. At the Middle East), last year BAE conference he Systems announced a further will be launching 2,000 skilled jobs losses his latest mainly affecting Yorkshire and report Defence Humberside. Diversification: ’s Labour International leadership bid laid out plans for Learning for a Defence Diversification agency Trident Jobs. active campaigner around the to involve communities heavily Ann Feltham is Parliamentary issue of Defence Diversification, dependent on arms production and Trade Union Co-Ordinator not least as a representative of in a ‘just transition’ to more at Campaign Against the Arms her constituents in Barrow-in- sustainable employment, and this Trade. She’ll be discussing the Furness. was backed by the 2017 TUC subsidy regime applied to the “Mounting a successful local conference. arms export industry. campaign, how to get started” This conference in Leeds will Small group sessions will include West Yorkshire Campaign Against bring together Labour and Trade “From Policy Adoption to Practical the Arms Trade – a newly formed Union activists with disarmament Action: Creating change in your and active local campaigning campaigners to explore what Trade Union” - Kevin Allsop group linking to CAAT. This is such a ‘just transition’ would look (Unison) a session for campaigners who like and how we make it a reality. “How to influence policy in the are not trade union or Labour Speakers Labour Party: an Intro to Local members. Fabian Hamilton MP – and National Structures and Your Shadow Minister for Peace and Route in” Julie Ward MEP – Julie 8 July @ 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm Disarmament, has been given is a long term peace activist Mill Hill Unirarian Chapel, responsibility for developing a and member of the Labour CND City Square, Leeds, LS1 5EB. Defence Diversification Agency. Executive. She has been an Organised by Y Labour CND

Fundraising update NHS not Trident 28 April - Day of Dance The busy Quakers of Thanks to all our volunteer leaflet distributors, helpers and amaz- Huddersfield have been holding ing tutors, we’re pleased to report that the send-off we gave to our street stalls for peace and justice long-standing fundraiser The Day of Dance, was so powerful, it looks on a regular basis. As Action like it’s coming back again, boomerang like! for Peace goes to press, their NHS not Trident themed vigil will It was the best attended and most financially successful in a while, and be their 40th. They had a great there was a definite buzz as more and more people came forward to reception to their event last time, offer their time to make sure there is another one. So, put 13thApril as they handed out leaflets that 2019 in your diaries, cross your fingers and watch this space! specifically linked the threat to We’re also doing the Summer Peace & Craft Fair, detailed on the front Huddersfield Royal Infirmary page, and with the vast sums being spent have a 12 on nuclear weapons. So they’ve strong team chosen to do a street stall with the of volunteers same message. running the All are welcome and they’ can be lock-ups at contacted at [email protected] Shambala or https://www.facebook.com/pg/ Festival to HuddersfieldQuakers raise money Good Luck to them! Diary Office Move for Y CND Every Tuesday - vigil at Menwith Hill 6pm-7.30pm. Unfortunately, the Diocese are planning to sell Please get up there to support if you can - it’s very Desmond Tutu House, where Yorkshire CND has hard in the dark, cold winter months had its offices for the past few years. 16th June - Spring Peace & Craft Fair, Saltaire. See We are currently looking for other temporary prem- inside for details ises, so are asking our members to keep their ears to the ground. We need somewhere to house at 1-8th July - CND Symbol tour of Yorkshire least 3 desks, must be accessible at all hours, and ideally in central Bradford, though Leeds is also a 4th July - Demo at Menwith Hill (see inside) possibility. 4th July - Bradford vs the Bomb (see inside) In the long term, we hope to move to a new building alongside the Peace Museum and other 5th July - CND at 60 Book event with Kate Hudson, groups, but do need somewhere urgently for now. York (see inside)

8th July - Jobs not Bombs, defence diversification con- ference, Leeds Local CND & Peace Groups/ Rotherham CND - [email protected] 13th July - Protests Against Trump’s UK Visit. National or phone 07952 044824 demo in London. Transport being organised by various groups including Leeds Socialist Students, and Leeds Shipley CND - Chris Butler christopherbutler1@ Coalition Against War who are also planning a sister mac.com or 07913 636036 demo in Leeds 1pm-4pm, Leeds Art Gallery - see https://www.facebook.com/ Calder Valley - contact [email protected] events/194517081187143/ or 07980 291478

6th-9th August - local Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day Huddersfield Peace Group c/o Charlie Fairbank, commemorations - Leeds, Calder Valley, Bradford, Shef- [email protected], Tel: 01484-846183 field, Keighley. See YCND website or call for details. or Huddersfield Quakers - Robin Bowles at cara@ cooptel.net 22nd September - Nae Nukes Anywhere - Rally at Faslane. Leeds CND - contact Dave on 07717 606189 International campaigners from across the world will be facebook.com/LeedsCND or [email protected] joining Scottish CND at Faslane to challenge the UK government to sign the Nuclear Ban Treaty. It’ll be a Leeds Coaltion Against War - Meetings will be lively, colourful, musical day out.Transport from across twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays, Yorkshire, inlcuding from Skipton, Keighley, Bradford 7pm, Leeds Civic Hall [email protected] and Leeds. Look at the YCND website or call us to book Keighley Peace Justice & Environment a space. More details in the next issue Network - Eithne on [email protected] : 07947 Stop the Pentagon takeover of 793876 space Grassington & District Peace Group - Richard The Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power Hargreaves, [email protected] in Space (GN) will hold its 26th annual space organising Sheffield CND- jonathanpaul.wallis@ conference from June 22-24, 2018 in Oxford. The event virginmedia.com http://www.sheffieldcnd.org.uk will also include a protest at the major US/NATO military space communications and control centre at nearby Sheffield Creative Action for Peace (SCRAP) - Croughton Air Force Base. Hilary 07818040982 - [email protected] Each year the Global Network holds its space organizing conference in a different part of the world, the last being in Alabama. Are you subscribed to our email announcements Full conference details are available at http://www. list? A fortnightly email keeping you up to date space4peace.org/actions/gnconf_2018.htm between newsletters - [email protected]

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