London CND opposes scrapping of anti-racist message from Rise
London CND calls opposes decision to withdraw from Mayors for Peace
Wednesday 9 July, 8pm
London CND film screening of 'Barefoot Gen'
A packed audience at Conway Hall, watched this powerful ‘manga’ film from artist Keiji Nakazawa’s series of graphic novels about his experience of the Hiroshima bombing. ‘Gen’ was first serialised in 1972 in Japan’s largest weekly comic with a readership of over two million people. It gripped Japan with its evocative and emotional story, drawing wide aclaim from critics and readers. Since then it has been translated into six different languages and in 1984 was made into this animated film. Keiji has said of the the response to his cartoons ‘They wanted to know what the war and the atomic bombing was really like. It was the first time people had heard the truth. That’s what they told me everywhere I went. People should be told what happened. If you live through something like the A-bomb, you know that war is too horrible not to be avoided at all costs, regardless of the justifications offered for it." Keiji named his main character Gen ‘in the hope that he would become a root or source of strength for a new generation, one that can tread the charred soil of Hiroshima barefoot, feel the earth beneath its feet, and have the strength to say "NO" to nuclear weapons’.
For more information about Hiroshima visit click here
For more information about Nagasaki, click here
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22 June
Fast and vigil against US Missile Defence
London CND participated in the 24 hour fast and vigil at Downing Street against US plans to cite a radar base in the Czech Republic, and the use of British bases in north yorkshire. There are strong fears that the aggressive US Missile System is creating a new nuclear arms race and exacerbating global tensions.
London CND was joined by Samaira Anjum, Anil Sachdeo and Saima Parveen, members of the NUS black students committee.
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18 May
Protest at RAF Lakenheath
Protestors descended on RAF Lakenheath on 18 May. The base, located 20 miles northeast of Cambridge, is a key part of the US war machine. US fighter jets have systematically bombed Iraq: in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999 and again in 2003. Cluster bombs dropped on the Lebanon were stored at Lakenheath. It is the only base in Britain with US nuclear weapons: up to 110 free fall nuclear bombs are stored there. These bombs are flown in and out of Britain regularly. Lakenheath would be play a key role in any further US military aggression.
A coach full of activists organised by London CND took part in the demonstration. Supporters were given an information-packed tour of the base by Lakenheath Action Group, enjoyed a peace picnic with musical entertainment and listened to speakers, including Chair of CND, Kate Hudson, and Jeremy Corbyn MP.
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24 March
Aldermaston 'Surround the base'
Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment was surrounded by 5,000 anti-nuclear protestors, in the biggest action in over two decades. Aldermaston AWE develops, tests and builds Britain's nuclear weapons. A massive development is now taking place. On the scale of Heathrow's Terminal 5 and estimated to cost £5bn, experts believe is for testing new nuclear weapons.
London CND organised 9 coaches full of protestors, who descended on the base, decorating the perimeter fence with banners and anti-nuclear messages. The event was extremely well covered by national media and sent a strong message to the government to end its nuclear hypocrisy, halt the development at Aldermaston and rethink Trident's replacement.
Many thanks to everyone who participated and made the day so successsful. If you have any photos we could put on the website, or would like to share your experiences of the day, please e-mail sophiakselby@yahoo.co.uk
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12 March
Public meeting with Tony Benn
Tony Benn speaking at a packed-out London CND Public Forum on 12 March on 50 years of protest — From Aldermaston to Iraq
London CND's next Public Forum will take place at 8pm, Wednesday 9 July at Conway Hall.
For details see home page.