PRESSRELEASE]: Palestine/Iraq Joint Demonstration: 28 Sept 02
Attention: NEWS DESK
Joint press statement:
Palestine/Iraq Joint Demonstration 28 Sept 02

Muslim Association of Britain & Stop the War Coalition
6 August, 2002

What is expected to be Britain\’s biggest ever anti-war demonstration is to be held in London on September 28 in protest over Government foreign policy concerning the issues of Palestine and Iraq.

The Muslim Association of Britain and the Stop the War Coalition will be
jointly organizing the rally which will be held under the slogans \’Freedom for Palestine\’ and \’Don\’t Attack Iraq\’, and is expected to boast several hundreds of thousands from all corners of the British Isles.

Events of recent days, as well as those witnessed over the past several
months, have demonstrated the incompetence and flagrant bias and injustice of our Government\’s policies concerning both these issues, culminating in an overwhelming majority opinion amongst the British public rejecting those policies and demanding that Britain assumes an ethical and just stand, rather than follow submissively the wishes and whims of the US administration.

Anas Altikriti, Media and Public Relations Director for Muslim Association of Britain, said: \”A commitment to peace and respect for human rights demand that Britain act to support the rights of the Palestinian people as a sovereign people living on their own land, and for an immediate end to Israeli occupation. It is inexcusable that the British government should be continuing to sell weapons to Israel while it is committing atrocities against a defenseless people.\”

Lindsey German, convener of the Stop the War Coalition said: \”It is now
clear that Bush intends to attack Iraq regardless of international opinion and the bloodshed and instability this action will cause, and that Blair intends to support him. The vast majority of the British people want no part of this, and the demonstration on September 28 will be an opportunity to make the government think again.\”

This demonstration, which falls on the second anniversary of the Palestinian Intifada, and on the eve of the Labour Party Annual Conference, will send a clear and unequivocal message to our Government; that the British public will not tolerate double-standards, hypocrisy or injustice, nor will it stand impassively whilst our Government claims the right to interfere in the affairs of other nations. This demonstration is also meant to issue an unconditional message of support and solidarity to the peoples of Palestine and Iraq, announcing that the British public side entirely with the victims of tyranny, oppression and injustice.

Muslim Association of Britain
Stop the War Coalition
6 August, 2002

Demonstration Spokespersons
Anas Altikriti (Muslim Association of Britain) 078 8920 2912
Andrew Burgin: (Stop the War Coalition) 079 3924 2229

To arrange interviews with speakers and organisers contact:

Harris Bokhari: Demonstration Press Officer:
Email: intifada101@hotmail.com, harrisbokhari@hotmail.com
Personal Mobile: 079 5832 9879

Stop the War Coalition office: 079 5123 5915
Muslim Association of Britain office: 020 7272 2888
Websites: www.islamevents.com / www.stopwar.org.uk