NATO Welcoming Committee

RAWA Solidarity fund raiser in Edinburgh

On the 14th of November 2009 a solidarity fund raiser was held to support the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA). The fund raiser was held as part of the ‘Edinburgh Anti-Militarist’ week long event to oppose the Annual General meeting of NATO which took place in Edinburgh between the 13th to the 17th of November this year. During this time several protests were held outside the conference centre where NATO delegates were meeting and six people were arrested by police when they tried to enter the building wearing T-shirts with pictures of injured Afghan children on them.

An anti-war protester is arrested after trying to disrupt a meeting of NATO delegates.

The fund raiser was held in the evening and began with a showing of the film ‘View from a Grain of Sand’ directed by Meena Nanji, which highlights Afghan women’s history over the last 30 years and the steady erosion of women’s rights in the country. A display of photographs taken from RAWA’s website was available for people to look at and learn from through out the evening. ‘Solidarity Goods’ an Edinburgh based shop which sells Afghan crafts on behalf of several charities was also present.

People at the fund raiser listening to live music after watching 'View from a Grain of Sand'.

Several live bands played and food was served to people attending the event by the voluntary group ‘Food not Bombs’. Many people came and enjoyed the event, and several expressed interest in organising similar events in the future.

The photographic display of RAWA's activities

As a result of the event £300 was raised for RAWA and we have now set up the Edinburgh based group ‘RAWA Solidarity Scotland’ whose aim is to continue active support of RAWA in the future.

If you would like to join the mailing list for RAWA Solidarity Scotland send an email to RawaSolidarityScotland@lists.noflag.org.uk

Anders Fogh Rasmussen covered in paint by a protester, in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, while Denmark’s Prime Minister

Meet outside Old College on South Bridge, Edinburgh at 1pm tomorrow, Tuesday 17th November. Bring banners and things to make lots of noise with!

As Gordon Brown announces another 5,000 British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, and Obama is expected to announce over 30,000 additional American troops, calls to bring the troops home seem to be falling on deaf ears.

In keeping with the kind of despicable rhetoric we’re used to hearing from NATO and its apologists, the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will be delivering a lecture titled “The Future of Peace Support Operations”, tomorrow, Tuesday 17^th November at 2pm, Lecture Theatre 175, Old College, University of Edinburgh.

There is nothing peaceful about NATO’s operations – NATO is a murderous, imperialist force for imposing western-style capitalism on those who resist it. We must bring the war home to people like Rasmussen who get away with living lives of luxury on huge salaries at the expense of the lives and freedom of Afghans and all people affected by NATO forces.

No Platform for Murderers!

Reports from the demo on friday can be found on Indymedia Scotland here with some great photos here.

The first meet up was unsuccessful

Meet at the EICC on Morrison Street, the host building off the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, at 1.30am.

See you on the streets!

The location for the mass demo is the West Corner of The Meadows, between Melville Drive, Coronation Walk and Londsdale Terrace. Be there at 11am sharp!

See you on the streets!

View Larger Map

The Smash NATO mass demo is finally upon us.

Be in town for 10.30am. Meet at 11am.

To find out the location sign up for the text message updates here before 10am. Alternatively call the info line number (07952606546) any time after 10.30 and listen to the recorded message.
The location will also be revealed on this website at 10.30.

People should then converge at 11am sharp.

See you on the streets!

After months of mobilising and planning today the NATO Welcoming Committee set up the Smash NATO Convergence Space in Edinburgh. The space will act as a base for activists resisting the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in the city from Friday.

It was a busy day of sorting but now the space is ready. It will open again tomorrow at 10am and has legal support, a medics space, an Indymedia Centre, information regarding Fridays mass demo and there will be food.

The Convergence Space is in Bristo Hall, upstairs from the Forest Cafe. See here for more information and maps.

For people coming from out of town who need accommodation turn up at the convergence centre or email or phone us (07500163480). As much notice as possible is preferable!

All of this work is in preparation for NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly. Friday will see a mass demo aiming to get to the militarist meeting or a list of other targets released on a map. For details of the demo and the targets map see the NATO Welcoming Committee website.

NATO Welcoming Committee

To carry out effective resistance, we need a place to meet, plot, eat food, have access to information and communication. We call these spaces convergence spaces.

The NATO Welcoming Committee is has organised a convergence space in Edinburgh for people to use during the NATO parliamentary Assembly. The space is Bristo Hall, upstairs from the Forest Cafe, on Bristo Place. (more…)

The timetable for next week is now available here

To raise funds for the mobilisation we are having a punk gig after the demo next Friday.
Bring your friends!

ASSEMBLE AT 11AM SHARP
BE IN TOWN FOR 10.30AM
SIGN UP TO TEXT ALERTS FOR MEETING PLACE

With just over a week to go the NATO Welcoming Committee can release the details of the Friday the 13th demo. (more…)