Wednesday 27th January is the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps...

Nick Thomas writes; Wednesday 27th January is the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps. A number of free events in Bristol bring people together to commemorate the legacy and learn the lessons of the Nazi Holocaust. The Legacy of Hope is a 45 minute soundscape incorporating words, music and movement at 5.15pm on Wednesday 27th January. It takes place in the magnificent surroundings of Bristol Cathedral – one of the finest examples of a 'Hall Church' anywhere in the world – and it’s an event designed to welcome and engage everyone, people of all faiths or none. The Legacy of Hope includes a performance of The Guests, a setting of Leonard Cohen's poem for soprano voice and clarinet septet by the prolific Bath-based composer Howard Davidson, and a unique performance with multiple clarinets of the 'Abyss of Birds' from Messiaen’s extraordinary Quartet for the End of Time. The event also features music from Bristol Cathedral choristers and the cantor Robert Hurst.Full article.

| www.hmd.org.uk | Related News English Defence League cracks begin to show - infighting around Bristol EDL member |

How To Contribute Articles - A Brief Guide | Publish an Article/Event | Help Guide | Calendar | Indycycle |Bristol Just Living - Positive Guide to Bristol | Get Involved with Bristol Indymedia | @bindymedia

"Let's not beat around the bush; the radical left needs to wake up and treat these people like the fascists they are...The BNP and Islam4UK are two sides of the same hateful coin"

On the eve of radical fundamentalist group 'Islam4UK' being banned, Matt Banning writes; In recent weeks a lot has been made in the media of the antics of the far-right Muslim group 'Islam4UK'. Islam4UK are a pro-Sharia group who advocate the turning of Britain into an oppressive Muslim state. They advocate capital punishment, flogging for public drunkenness, and a whole raft of other oppressive policies, and have as one of their many slogans: “Freedom go to hell”. The group has recently proposed a demonstration in Wootton Bassett (the town where British war dead are repatriated), ostensibly to commemorate Afghan and Iraqi casualties in the two ongoing military occupations, but in reality they are just using it as a chance to publicise their deplorable fascist views (whilst great care must be taken when bandying about this much-abused phrase, in terms of Islam4UK's strong authoritarian slant, advocacy for a strong police state, and excessive punishment for minor crimes and acts of dissent, we feel the term is justified). While the reactionary forces of white nationalism have been quick to condemn the march and use it as a justification for their racist viewpoints, the radical left has been characteristically silent for fear of being labelled Islamophobic. It is with this silence in mind that we have decided to pen this open letter outlining why it is the duty of the radical left to oppose bigotry and injustice in all its forms, including Islam4UK and other far right Muslim groups... (Image: Radical fundamentalists protest against the Danish cartoons in London, February 2006) Full article.

| Islam4UK and the Silence of the Left | Wildcat strikes - an open letter to the anarchist/anti-authoritarian movement |

How To Contribute Articles - A Brief Guide | Publish an Article/Event | Help Guide | Calendar | Bristol Just Living - Positive Guide to Bristol | Get Involved with Bristol Indymedia |

Action taken as medicines from Bristol spoiling in desert sun due to Egyptian government's refusal to allow them to proceed.

Ed Hill of Bristol-Gaza Link writes: Members of the Viva Palestina aid convoy stranded in Jordan, today formally began a hunger strike to protest the Egyptian government's refusal to allow them to cross the Gulf of Aqaba on their way to Palestine. This day marks the first anniversary of Israel’s bombing of Gaza that last year killed 1400 people - two-thirds of them civilians. The Viva Palestina convoy, now numbering 250 vehicles – among them a 44-tonne truck donated by the people of Bristol - has spent nearly three weeks travelling across Europe to deliver vital supplies to the Palestinians besieged in Gaza. For the past three days the convoy has been stranded in Jordan, because the Egyptian authorities refuse to let the convoy travel to Nuweiba on the other side of the Gulf of Aqaba. Full article - and what you can do to help....

BRISTOLIANS ON HUNGER STRIKE IN JORDAN | Video appeal by Monica Jones (youtube.com) | Bristol Gaza Link Website | Local Yew Year's Eve Events: NY Refugees Music at Kebele | New Years Eve Masked Ball @ Trinity | Southbank New Years Eve

| How To Contribute Articles - A Brief Guide | Publish an Article/Event | Help Guide | Calendar | Bristol Just Living - Positive Guide to Bristol | Get Involved with Bristol Indymedia |

Embedded video Youtube Video

MPs, City Councillors, Trade Unions and supporters spoke at a rally in the town centre, followed by a parade across the city led by musicians & marchers with placards. The convoy finally left the City after prayers at one of the city Mosques.

Ed Hill writes: Cllr Barbara Janke, Leader of Bristol City Council said: "I visited Gaza myself in 1987 and was appalled by the conditions people were living under, particularly children. From everything I have read since, I know things are even worse there today. I think it’s tremendous that people in Bristol have committed themselves to a humanitarian mission of this kind. I’m very impressed by the courage and commitment of those taking part and pray for their success and safety."

Dr. Chris Burns-Cox, Emeritus Consultant Physician at Frenchay Hospital, who has visited Gaza several times explained at the rally “Even before this year’s massacre and onslaught the people in dire need of the basics for life. I have seen children with amputations, mothers distraught at being unable to look after their children, young men paralysed from bullets through the neck and fathers distraught, unable to earn money to support their families. Even if our Government does nothing to help the people of Gaza the people of Bristol will help ease the suffering.”

They were joined by other City Councillors MPs and Trade Union speakers. Tony Benn and Ken Loach also sent messages of support

The Bristol contingent of the Viva Palestina Convoy has been assembled over just the last few weeks. It was led by a massive 44 ton truck packed with humanitarian aid, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals which have been donated from across Bristol and the South West. It was also followed by FIVE vans/minibuses. Travelling with the convoy was a team of TEN people with specialist skills. These including drivers, translators, an artist, a mental health nurse, an engineer, an IT specialist, and a documentary film-maker. They were joined by an ambulance from Country Cork in Ireland which is also on its way to the assembly point in London this weekend.

Over £20,000 has been collected for the convoy throughout Bristol. However money is still needed which will be used for fuel & transport costs on the journey plus final medical purchases before crossing into Gaza.

Full Story | Viva Palestina Convoy Website

How To Contribute Articles - A Brief Guide | Publish an Article/Event | Help Guide | Calendar

tn_d4fri001.jpg 0.02 Mb tn_dsc01201.jpg 0.02 Mb tn_d4fri055.jpg 0.02 Mb tn_d4fri084.jpg 0.03 Mb