NATO SUMMIT DEMONSTRATIONS
Week of Action (Saturday 30 August – Friday 5 September)
7 Days to Shake the World
A quick round-up of some of the key actions

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST
<<<Counter Summit in Cardiff. County Hall, Atlantic Wharf 10am – 5.30pm.>>>

Speakers from the global peace movements & sessions and workshops on NATO expansion, the drive to war and military spending; Ukraine and a new cold war; Afghanistan: the endless occupation; Women and War; Move the money: Disarmament for Development; Palestine; Middle East: Oil & Empire; The New Nuclear Arms Race; Militarisation & Science; Singing for Peace
Full timetable here:
http://cnduk.org/images/stories/Counter_Summit_Programme_1.pdf

<<<For Gaza: A Fundraiser>>>
The Full Moon, Womanby Street, Cardiff City Centre, CF10 1BR, Upstairs – the Moon Club.

5pm – 8pm – snacks, stalls etc.Music from 8pm
Performers include – Stu and Reb from Dirty Revolution (Ska-Punk-Reggae), Lynne Denman – unaccompanied Welsh singing, Salih Hassan (Palestinian Oud Player), Cosmo (Folk-punk), Novacoda (Dance), Flora Mackay (Acoustic), David Ambrose (Storytelling), Neta Hel (Poetry), Think Pretty (Acoustic), DJS – Love & Harmony Sounds,
Shahid (Salsa Buena), Dave Grooveslave
£5. All funds raised will go to purchase medical supplies and support for children in Gaza via Middle East Children’s Alliance. Please seehttps://www.mecaforpeace.org/

Facebook event page:https://www.facebook.com/events/1451993351727210/

MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
<<<Newport Alternative Summit at Dolman Theatre, 10.00 – 5pm.>>>
Sessions on combating drones, militarisation of the EU, Iraq: War & Crisis, Nuclear weapon abolition, closing all military bases

Full timetable here:
http://cnduk.org/images/stories/Counter_Summit_Programme_1.pdf

TUESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
<<<Newport Alternative Summit continued>>>
Dolman Theatre. 11am – 4pm – Sessions on Gaza, Peaceful co-existence, Victims of NATO

WEDNESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
<<<Artists and Musicians against War.>>>
All day at the Tredegar Park Peace Camp

Including kite making, anti-facial-recognition-software makeup, placard making, banner making, self-defence workshops, Urban Circle workshops, Singing peace and protest workshop, Fly Kites not Drones, Revolution Rock with Birmingham band Living Field. Open mic throughout the day until 8pm for poets and musicians.

THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
<<<First day of NATO Summit. >>>

NEWPORT Mass Action and March on the Celtic Manor where world leaders meet to present messages. Gather at 12.00, Cenotaph, Clarence Place

CARDIFF No dinner of death! Protest World Leaders castle banquet to send a message from Wales and the world: Freedom for Palestine. No New Wars Cardiff Stop the War Coalition and Cardiff Trades Council are calling for people to gather assemble Queen Street Cardiff at 6pm (Details may change due to security on this day )

Facebook event page:https://www.facebook.com/events/572940132811020/

FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
Final day of NATO Summit.

Direct Actions. Street Theatre. Celebration party at the Pen and Wig in Newport from 6.00

<<<NEWPORT PEACE CAMP>>>
Accommodation

A peace camp will be located in Tredegar Park, Newport, from Friday 29th August. Basic facilities will be provided and the camp is recognised by the local council and police. Bring your own tents. The camp is asking for a donation of £2 per night per person.

Facebook event page:https://www.facebook.com/events/1462249840701918/

Great new Fracking site, launched by the people behind the “We Need to Talk About Fracking” Tour that visited Swansea in June. Use it to heap pressure on the New Energy Minister, Matthew Hancock.

Web Version | Like Tweet Forward Hello Andy In June we invited a range of Government representatives to address the public’s questions at five Talk Fracking debates around the country. We were shocked that not one of them agreed to attend. Since then the new Energy Minister, Matthew Hancock MP, has offered fracking companies half of the UK for drilling, completely ignoring the public’s concerns. But if enough of us stand together we can’t be ignored and so today we launch ‘My Fracking Questions’ – a website designed to make sure Mr Hancock answers your questions. Question Mr Hancock in three simple steps: Visit MyFrackingQuestions.org Read the questions by clicking on the titles, then drag your top three into the circles above and click ‘Get some answers’ Choose whether you want to send your fracking questions by email or Twitter and please feel free to add your own questions into the email. It’s time to make our voices louder. You can forward this email to your friends or share the following link on your preferred social network: http://www.myfrackingquestions.org. If enough of us demand real answers – answers based on fact, not spin – we will reveal the truth about fracking. Thank you for your continued support, The Talk Fracking Team Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram This email contains news and information about Talk Fracking   www.talkfracking.org #talkfracking

Begin forwarded message:

Hi folks,

PLEASE FORWARD this final invitation to the Long March on NATO to anyone who cares about way the world is going!

Just two more chances to be involved in the Long March:

Thursday 28th august: walk or cycle from Abergavenny to Cwmbran (10 miles). Meet at 10am Abergavenny Rail Station

Friday 29th August: Cwmbran to Newport (9 miles) Meet at The Arcade, Cwmbran 10.30am

or Friday 29th August: Cardiff to Newport (14 miles) Meet at the museum steps 10.30am

Or call 07510 911460 to join us later in the day.

War, austerity, unemployment, degradation of the environment – it is all part of the package deal that corporate capitalism has in store for us for years to come, unless a different vision of the future catches hold. The Long March takes that vision out there… see our aims at www.notoNATOwalk.org.uk

peace and solidarity,

marie

PS PLEASE FORWARD to all who may be within distance… thanks

I have had a few requests for more details of what is going on when and where – this is the latest bulletin:

Begin forwarded message:

From: Cardiff Stop the War

Subject: NATO Week of Action

NATO SUMMIT DEMONSTRATIONS – No to NATO. No to Austerity. No New Wars. Stop Arming Israel
Week of Action (Saturday 30 August – Friday 5 September)

7 Days to Shake the World. A quick round-up of some of the key actions around the visit of 60 world leaders including Obama for the NATO Summit. As leaders, foreign and defence ministers prepare to come to Wales, this weekend Israel called up 10,000 reservists reportedly for another ground invasion of Gaza.
The week begins on Saturday with a national demonstration (including international delegations from Europe and America) assembling outside the Civic Centre at 1 pm in Newport. Note: Organisers of the week of action have been experiencing something of a ‘funding crisis’, so if you would like to make a donation to the cause, get in touch.

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST
<<<Eve of the Summit: Mass Demonstration and March>>>
March Assembles 1 pm, outside Civic Centre, Central Newport

Ends with a rally outside Westgate Square with speakers from the global anti-war movement.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/242628435926556/

Note: Cardiff Stop the War Coalition contingent will be meeting outside Newport Railway Station between 12 noon – 12.30 pm to form up the Free Palestine Bloc before moving on to join the main march. There are very frequent trains from Cardiff to Newport, the journey takes about 15 mins and a return costs around £5. Bus travel is also cheap, though there may be traffic delays.

Facebook event page for Free Palestine Bloc https://www.facebook.com/events/622061097912566/

SUNDAY 31 AUGUST
<<<Counter Summit in Cardiff. County Hall, Atlantic Wharf 10am – 5.30pm.>>>

Speakers from the global peace movements & sessions and workshops on NATO expansion, the drive to war and military spending; Ukraine and a new cold war; Afghanistan: the endless occupation; Women and War; Move the money: Disarmament for Development; Palestine; Middle East: Oil & Empire; The New Nuclear Arms Race; Militarisation & Science; Singing for Peace

Full timetable here:
http://cnduk.org/images/stories/Counter_Summit_Programme_1.pdf

<<<For Gaza: A Fundraiser>>>
The Full Moon, Womanby Street, Cardiff City Centre, CF10 1BR, Upstairs – the Moon Club.
5pm – 8pm – snacks, stalls etc.Music from 8pm. Admission £5

Performers include – Stu and Reb from Dirty Revolution (Ska-Punk-Reggae), Lynne Denman – unaccompanied Welsh singing, Salih Hassan (Palestinian Oud Player), Cosmo (Folk-punk), Novacoda (Dance), Flora Mackay (Acoustic), David Ambrose (Storytelling), Neta Hel (Poetry), Think Pretty (Acoustic), DJS – Love & Harmony Sounds, Shahid (Salsa Buena), Dave Grooveslave

£5 entry. All funds raised will go to purchase medical supplies and support for children in Gaza via Middle East Children’s Alliance. Please see https://www.mecaforpeace.org/

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1451993351727210/

MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
<<<Newport Alternative Summit at Dolman Theatre, 10.00 – 5pm.>>>
Sessions on combating drones, militarisation of the EU, Iraq: War & Crisis, Nuclear weapon abolition, closing all military bases

Full timetable here:
http://cnduk.org/images/stories/Counter_Summit_Programme_1.pdf

TUESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
<<<Newport Alternative Summit continued>>>

Dolman Theatre. 11am – 4pm – Sessions on Gaza, Peaceful co-existence, Victims of NATO

WEDNESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
<<<Artists and Musicians against War.>>>

All day at the Tredegar Park Peace Camp
Including kite making, anti-facial-recognition-software makeup, placard making, banner making, self-defence workshops, Urban Circle workshops, Singing peace and protest workshop, Fly Kites not Drones, Revolution Rock with Birmingham band Living Field. Open mic throughout the day until 8pm for poets and musicians.

THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
<<<First day of NATO Summit. >>>

NEWPORT Mass Action and March on the Celtic Manor where world leaders meet to present messages. Gather at 12.00, Cenotaph, Clarence Place

CARDIFF No dinner of death! Protest World Leaders Castle banquet at 6pm to send a message from Wales and the world: Freedom for Palestine. No New Wars Cardiff Stop the War Coalition and Cardiff Trades Council are calling for people to gather assemble Queen Street Cardiff (Details may change due to security on this day )

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/572940132811020/

FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
Final day of NATO Summit.
Direct Actions. Street Theatre. Celebration party at the Pen and Wig in Newport from 6.00

<<<NEWPORT PEACE CAMP>>>
Accommodation
A peace camp will be located in Tredegar Park, Newport, from Friday 29th August for people who wish to stay in Newport for the week. Basic facilities will be provided and the camp is recognised by the local council and police. Bring your own tents The camp is asking for a donation of £2 per night per person.
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1462249840701918/

See you on the streets!!!

Adam Johannes
Secretary
Cardiff Stop the War Coalition
www.stopwar.org.uk

Sunday 24th:Starting from the Co-op in Pyle

Via the A48 near Laleston (just after an interesting encounter with South Wales Police – apparently a passing motorist thought we were being anti-social by carrying our banner over a motorway bridge and had called the Police to complain. Perhaps we should call the Police to complain about all the antisocial barricades being erected around Cardiff and Newport!)

End of the day outside the Tesco opposite the South Wales Police HQ – how daring was that!!
Left to right: Sheila from Cardiff, Maggie from Ystradgynlais, along with Bridgend Greens, Laurie, John and Andy.

We received plenty of supportive toots and waves, along with a handful of less supportive gestures, but we decided that there are a lot worse things we could be than what a couple of the gestures suggested – merchant bankers? We ended the day with some very positive feedback and some people expressing interest in getting more involved.

On which note, the walks continue. See the schedule here:
http://notonatowalk.org.uk/en/

We encountered a few people non-plussed at why we have issues with NATO, and for those people, or if you want a response for similar people, here is the nub of it: (click on it to enlarge)

Apologies for short notice!!

We are assembling at the Co-op between 10.00 and 10.30 on Sunday morning for a stroll into Bridgend.

I really no little more than that.

All welcome. My son is dropping me and Laurie Brophy off in Pyle so we have room for one or two more if you contact me.

Here’s hoping the weather holds!
Andy

On 14 Aug 2014, at 22:00, Andy Chyba wrote:

I was gutted to receive a phone call from the manager of the Three Horseshoes to say that the pubs owners had instructed him to cancel the Mini Peace Festival after the Police had contacted them to raise ‘concerns’ over the event. I have not got full details of what was said, but it appears they mentioned my name specifically and may have suggested that that as known political activist they may have to ‘monitor’ the event. This has evidently spooked the pub owners into not wanting to be involved at all.

I can only apologise to all the people, and performers in particular, that had so generously committed to supporting the event.

The Long March on Newport will still take place, but I cannot see me being able to put on much of a reception for them in Bridgend. Sorry, everybody.
(I am still able to offer accommodation to Maggie and Sheila as before).

I will post details of how to get involved with the Long March when I get them.

Andy Chyba

Provisional running order:

4.00pm – The Unforgiven (Pontypridd’s Waterboys!)

5.15pm – Justin Lewis Preece (accomplished acoustic fusion of rock, blues and folk)

6.30pm – Blood Club (rising stars – sublime songwriting)

7.30pm – Paul Thompson (acoustic bluesy roots)

8.30pm – Vinna Bee (gorgeous alternative folk – catch them before their US Tour)

10.00pm – Novacoda (blurring the boundaries between techno, garage, dubstep and breakbeat!)

Many thanks to, in particular, Frances Jenkins – best known to most of you as founder of Frack Free Wales.
She is also the founder of CounterComms Ltd, graphic design and media company, who produced the poster for me and helped get the line up sorted. And as if she is not talented enough, she is also half of Novacoda who will be helping chill us out at the end of the day!!

Thanks also must go to Vic Doyle, Croc Dinaero, Ben Jenkins, Vinna Bevan and the Three Horseshoes for all your help and advice in getting this together.

APOLOGIES FOR THE LATE AGENDA AGAIN!! (only just back from holiday!)

7.00pm Thursday 5th August 2014 at theThe Pencoed Social Club, Hendre Rd. Pencoed (1 minute walk from the station – across the level crossing)

ALL WELCOME (Especially new members!)

AGENDA:

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Apologies for Absence
3. Minutes and matters arising
4. Officers Reports
5. Councillor feedback
6. Campaigns Update- bedroom tax/fracking/NATO Newport
7. Elections – standing in General Election? Council target seat?
8. Autumn Conference
9. AOB
10. DoNM

REMINDER – If anyone needs a lift to any of our meetings, let Andy know (andy.chyba) and we will organise it for you.

Click on images to enlarge:

Venue 1 Venue 2

Thank you Alan. Typical Carwyn! I love the tone of your response.

Keep up the good – work. You continue to have my full support.

Warm regards,

Andy

On 31 Jul 2014, at 17:29, Alan Rogers wrote:

Dear Andy,
Now that the National Assembly is in recess (until October) I thought it time to let you know the current position on the campaign.
We have at last extracted a response directly from the First Minister … or at least signed by him. This is attached. You will need Adobe Reader to view it.
You will see that it repeats the vacuous response “the Welsh Government thinks chaplaincy is important” … “it is best to fund it using NHS Wales budget”.
No attempt is made to explain why it is more important than funding clinical care. No attempt is made to explain “best” for whom and in what way “best”.
My reply is given below. I hope you support this response. If you have any reservations about it please let me know.
Regards,
Alan Rogers

Dear Carwyn,

Thank you for your letter Ref: FM/00691/14 dated 30th June and forwarded to me by Lesley Griffiths AM via email.

You write:-

The Welsh Government regards hospital spiritual care services as playing an important role in supporting and counselling patients, relatives and staff.
For these reasons we believe that the best way to ensure patients and staff throughout Wales have the appropriate access to those services is to continue to support them financially though the NHS Wales.

You use the phrase “support them financially”. In fact the arrangement is rather more generous that this phrase might suggest. The hospital chaplaincy service is 100% fully funded from the NHS Wales budget and costs around 1.3 million pounds each and every year.

You claim that this is because the WG “regards hospital spiritual care services as playing an important role…”.
Presumably, therefore, the WG regards the Wales Air Ambulance Service as playing a significantly less important role since it operates only as a result of a continuous Wales-wide charitable fund raising effort. I suggest you check the local press of Wales. You will find that the people of Wales do not share this view. Perhaps you could finance a survey of a random sample of the people of Wales asking:- Which is the more important – the Hospital Chaplancy Service or the Wales Air Ambulance Service? I would also suggest that NHS Wales doctors would, if asked, tell you which of these two services they regard as the more “important”.

The role played by the hospital chaplaincy service is irrelevant to our Proposal because we simply wish to replace its funding by grants from a charitable trust. It would continue “playing an important role” but the money so released could be used to play an even more important role by providing additional nursing, midwifery and/or medical staff.

It is obvious from the above that the real reason for refusing even to consider charitable funding goes beyond a desire to support an important service and it is clear that you and your Ministers have been reluctant to state what that reason is.

We will continue to ask the question “Why is it impossible or unthinkable to fund hospital chaplaincy by means of a charitable trust?

We will eventually get an answer and then we can begin to work towards our goal of saving the NHS Wales over one million pounds per year. Sadly, with every year that passes a further 1.3 million pounds is lost forever.

Yours truly,

Alan Rogers

<Letter from First Minister.pdf>