Tuesday, 8 April 2008, 18:30

St Ethelburgas Centre, London EC2N 4AG (tube Bank and Liverpool Street stations)

Lecture: We have a dream...that people will disagree without violence

This year marks 60 years since Gandhi was assassinated (30 January 1948) and 40 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr (4 April 1968) ~ two leading advocates of nonviolent social change. In a world that continues to defer to violence to address conflict and is riddled with injustice, this evening will explore the relevance of Gandhi and King today. How can we carry these legacies left by Gandhi and King forward and become proactive agents of nonviolent social change in our time?  More information here.

Event details are correct at the time of publishing on this calendar.  As times and venues many sometimes change, please double check event details with its organiser prior to making plans.  The quality and content of events is the responsibility of the organisers.

April 2008

Tuesday, 1 April 2008

Reminder to Londoners: Register to Vote

You can register to vote in the Mayoral and London Assembly elections if you are over 18, live in London, and are a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen. But if you are not on the electoral register you cannot vote. The deadline to register is 16 April 2008. You just need to fill in and sign a simple form. Find your borough's registration form here.  Make your opinion count.  Find out more at http://www.londonelects.org.uk/registering_to_vote.aspx.

Tuesday, 1 April—Saturday, 19 April 2008, times below

The Political Cartoon Gallery, 32 Store Street, London WC1E 7BS (nearest tube Goodge Street)

Exhibition: Shooting the Witness: Political Cartoons by Naji Al-Ali

Shooting the Witness is an exhibition featuring the work of the late Palestinian cartoonist, Naji al-Ali, to commemorate 60 years to the Palestinian Nakba and the 20th anniversary of al-Ali's assassination in London.  Naji al-Ali's cartoons were drawn from his experience as a Palestinian refugee from childhood and clearly reflected his political stance. He had no political affiliations and the absence of slogans and dogma in his work brought both success and criticism. He combined art and political satire like none other; his work sadly still rings true today.  Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:30– 17:30; Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30–19:30; Saturday: 11:30–17:30.  For more information please contact Gallery at 0207 580 1114 or info@politicalcartoon.co.uk  or info@nakba60.org.uk or www.nakba60.org.uk

Wednesday, 2 April 2008, 19:30 (Lebanese food), 20:30 (film)

Empire Slough, 45 Queensmere Centre, Slough, Berkshire SL1 1DD

Film: Caramel

Aik Saath ('together as one' in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu) is a charity based in Slough dedicated to peace, conflict resolution and anti-racism work.  Its annual film festival, called the Same Difference Film Festival, opens with Nadine Labaki’s film Caramel.  Labaki draws together a beguiling tapestry of life in modern-day Beirut and all its contradictions, as Christian and Muslim, young and old, religious and secular, all live and work side by side. These threads weave a poignant portrait of women muddling through the uncertainties of a culture caught between the modern and the traditional.  Full directions to venues and information on the festivals 12 films, running through 14 April, can be found at http://www.same-difference.org.uk/programme.html.

Thursday, 3 April 2008, 13:00

RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ (tube Charing Cross)

Lecture: The Age of the Warrior with Robert Fisk

The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce) presents Robert Fisk, one of the world’s most experienced foreign correspondents and author of the classic Pity the Nation: Lebanon at War    Fisk offers a unique insight into international politics and mankind’s war torn recent history.  His new book, The Age of the Warrior, is a selection of his finest comment pieces from the Saturday Independent. Challenging in his views, and incisive in his comments, his journalism is based on extensive knowledge, experience and contacts, and is always insightful, witty and outspoken, providing an essential guide to international politics and attracting hundreds of thousands of devoted readers.  Places are free and open to all but advance booking is recommended.  Contact the lectures department by email lectures@rsa.org.uk or phone 020 7451 6863.  Visit http://www.theRSA.org/events for further detail; RSA events also available online.

Thursday, 3 April 2008, 18:30

Piazza, Westminster Cathedral, Francis St London SW1P 1QW (tube Victoria Station)

Demonstration: Silent Vigil and Wall of Sound

Tony Blair is due to make a speech on "Faith and Globalisation" at Westminster Cathedral. 
Predictably, the publicity for his speech gives no mention of Iraq or Afghanistan. No doubt Blair will be pontificating about the so-called values and morality of his faith and how they guided him in making difficult decisions, like the slaughter of up to one million Iraqis and the total destruction of their country in an illegal war.  Pax Christi has organised a silent vigil (16:30—19:00) in honour of Blair’s victims and to call to public attention Tony Blair's involvement in the Iraq War and ongoing occupation, in his involvement in the decision to replace Trident and other aspects of his premiership that have created global polarity rather than global solidarity. 

 

Following the silent vigil, Stop the War Coaliton has called for a wall of sound to meet every hypocritical word he utters.  Please bring musical instruments and sound-making implements of every kind -- drums, trumpets, saxophones, violins, cymbals, whistles, sirens, horns, rattles, saucepans and cans to bang.  The cacophony will drown out the speech of a man who should not be in a cathedral pulpit but in the dock of a criminal court.  For more information, visit www.stopwar.org.uk.

Saturday 5 April 2008, 9:00—18:00
Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, London WIH 1LP (tube Edgeware)
Conference: The Global Financial Meltdown, Socioeconomic Injustice and War: Cause and Remedy

Global Vision 2000 will be hosting this special one day conference bringing together some of the UK's leading independent political and economic thinkers, writers and campaigners to
focus on these key issues.This special event is guaranteed to enlighten and inspire the people with
the knowledge, tools and networks to be the change. There will be opportunities to interact with the panellists in Q & A sessions. Attendance £10.  For a full programme of the conference, visit http://www.gv2000.com.  For Further information contact 07818 082011 or email myaseen@globalvision2000.com
 

Saturday, 5 April 2008, 16:00-18:00

Opposite 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, London (tube Westminster)

Protest: End the Siege of Gaza

As the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen in Gaza, the statements from Israeli army spokespeople and ministers continue to be issued warning of further military interventions and a full scale invasion of Gaza.  International protests are continuing to take place against the siege of Gaza and the increasing horrific death toll. In Israel’s operation that it named ‘Operation Warm Winter’, the Israeli army killed 120 in Gaza between 27 February and 3 March, 60 on one day alone. A quarter of those killed that week were children. The death toll as a result of those delayed or denied access to essential treatment outside Gaza reached 117 by 25 March.  See the latest Oxfam report here:

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/policy/conflict_disasters/downloads/gaza_implosion.pdf

Sunday, 6 April 2008, 10:55—12 noon
Speakers Corner Café, just south of Speaker’s Corner, Hyde Park (tube: Marble Arch)

Walk in Peace: A little bit of peace, starting with yourself

Please join us in a slow, silent walk in peace for peace.  Held the first Sunday of every month.  Most walkers agree that simply being outdoors for an hour with your own thoughts can be quite uplifting, stimulating, relaxing, who knows - everyone is different. And as there is no agenda except peace, each walker brings and takes away with them peace from their own perspective. Contact: peace@walkinpeace.co.uk  for further details or visit www.walkinpeace.co.uk.

 

Sunday, 6 April 2008, 16:30

Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ

Film with Q & A: Meeting Resistance

Arab Media Watch and the Frontline Club present Meeting Resistance, a documentary film by directors Molly Bingham and Steve Connors.  The film raises the veil of anonymity surrounding the Iraqi insurgency by meeting face to face with individuals who are passionately engaged in the struggle, and documenting, for the first time, the sentiments experienced and actions taken by a nation's citizens when their homeland is occupied.  Featuring reflective, yet fervent conversations with active insurgents, Meeting Resistance is the missing puzzle piece in understanding the Iraq war. The film focuses the spotlight on the "other side," clarifying why the violence in Iraq continues to this day and providing a deeper understanding of both the toll of occupation and the human condition of resistance. Followed by Q & A with directors Molly Bingham and Steve Connors. More info about the film is available at http://www.meetingresistance.com. Booking is required for this event, and there are a limited number of complimentary media passes. Please contact phil.brown@frontlineclub.com or 0207 479 8950.

Monday, 7 April 2008, 18:45—20:45

The Gallery, Farringdon, 70/77 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ (tube Farringdon)
Lecture: Bad days in Basra

'Bad days in Basra: A Turbulent time as Britain's Man in Southern Iraq' with Sir Hilary Synnott

Sir Hilary Synnott was Britain's most senior representative in Southern Iraq, trying to keep the region together as the rest of the country descended into murderous violence. Bearing witness to the chaotic fashion in which the coalition was run at the highest levels, Synnott's unique insider account is the most important primary source we have on how the South was lost.  It is a devastating critique of CPA policies while providing controversial revelations about the real relationship between the two occupying powers, Britain and America. Sir Hilary Synnott was the British diplomat responsible for running Southern Iraq for the CPA, reporting directly to Paul Bremer. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies. His book 'Bad Days in Basra' will be published by I.B.Taurus in March 2008. http://www.monde-diplo-friends.org.uk/calendar.htm

Monday, 7 April 2008, from 18:00

Windsor Castle, Windsor Berkshire

Demonstration: Israel’s Birthday Bash Protest

Sixty years of ethnic cleansing by Royal Appointment.  The Duke of Edinburgh will be hosting a special banquet for the Jewish National Fund at Windsor Castle on Monday 7th April to celebrate Israel's Birthday.  Shimon Peres has been invited as guest of honour and both Gordon Brown and David Cameron both JNF patrons will no doubt be on the guest list.  Join us at 6pm on the day to show your disgust at this Royal endorsement of ethnic cleansing.   Demonstrate against Israel's 60th Birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire.  Come with banners and placards and join us at the main entrance to the castle, Henry V111th Gate, Castle Hill, Off High Street, Windsor, Berks.  Directions: M4, Junction 6.  Follow signs for Windsor and Town Centre. M3, Junction 3.  Follow signs for Windsor. By Rail:  Paddington to Slough (22 mins).  Shuttle train from Slough to Windsor (5 mins). Waterloo to Windsor, direct line (50 mins).  Train stations and car parking 4 minute walk to Castle entrance which is in the centre of Windsor.  Organised by Bucks and Berks PSC. For more information: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/tony_greenstein/2008/03/israels_royal_welcome.html

Click here for more events in April

Click here for more events in April

Saturday, 5 April 2008, 15:55—16:57

British Museum, Stevenson Theatre, Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG

(nearest tube Tottenham Court Rd)

Film: London International Documentary Film Festival

The film festival offers an array of excellent films, full programme here.  Of special interest are “Four Short Films” being shown back to back:

Hiding Place (Director: Sarvenaz Ghazanfar, 2006, UK, 8min)

The director, a Persian Canadian, grew up in Iran during the country’s war with Iraq. 19 years after she left, she goes back to interview her childhood friends and share memories of growing up in a war zone.

Hammoudi (Director: Anwar Saab, 2007, Lebanon, 10min)

Mohammad is a young boy who was badly injured by one of the thousands of cluster bombs that now litter Lebanon. He lost both his legs in the blast, but now fights, with amazing good humour, to live the life of a normal young boy.

Beirut: All Flights Cancelled (Director: Katia Saleh, 2006, UK, 22min)
During the stifling summer of 2006, Beirut-born film maker Katia Saleh documented the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah that left ordinary Lebanese families in a state of chaos, fleeing their homes for shelter in overcrowded schools and hospitals. Meanwhile, those who still had electricity were receiving graphic email images of the victims – all deemed too shocking to be broadcast at the time. Amid the chaos, the director and her mother face the difficult choice of whether to stay in the country or try to get a precious foreign visa and leave.

Tunnel Trade (Director: Laila El-Haddad, Saeed Taji Farouky, 2007, Palestine/UK, 22min)
Tunnel Trade is an exclusive look at Gaza’s smuggling economy – from the perspective of the people who run it. Filmed in May 2007 during some of the Gaza Strip’s most intense fighting, it explores how a handful of individuals from Rafah have gone underground to achieve illicitly what politics otherwise makes impossible.

Admission is £3.00 from The British Museum Box office. Tel: 0207 323 8181
www.britishmuseum.org