SOCIAL GATHERING - MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 7-10PM

You are warmly invited to enjoy our social night, getting in gear for the festive holiday season!

A time to catch up and relax properly over wonderful halal food and drink with your campaigning friends:

MONDAY 19 DECEMBER, 7pm-10pm

Dinner at D'Gaf Restaurant! - http://www.d-gaf.co.uk/

11 Leytonstone Road, Stratford, E15 1JA

£20 for a delicious three-course meal including soft drink

PLEASE RSVP - LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING ON MONDAY!

EMAIL wfpsc@yahoo.com with your name and number of guests.

We really look forward to seeing you!

URGENT ACTION - TELL OUR COUNCILLORS: 'NO' TO VEOLIA!

TOMORROW on Tuesday 13 December at 9am, councillors from seven North London boroughs (Camden, Barnet, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest) will gather at Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE opposite St Pancras Station to hold a North London Waste Authority Board meeting (NWLA), making crucial decisions about whether or not to award contracts worth more than £4 billion to crisis-hit international services conglomerate VEOLIA.

PLEASE URGENTLY CONTACT Waltham Forest's representatives on the NWLA Board:

- CLLR CLYDE LOAKES - cllr.clyde.loakes@walthamforest.gov.uk

Mobile 07812 160124

- CLLR AFZAL AKRAM - cllr.afzal.akram@walthamforest.gov.uk

Mobile 07799 417418

TELL THEM "NO" TO VEOLIA!

DON'T TRASH OUR BOROUGH:

BIN VEOLIA INSTEAD!

As No2VAG campaign puts it: "Join hundreds of residents from across the 7 boroughs who have already communicated their concern about Veolia's appalling practice history, for example guilty of explosions in 2007 that put residents in other parts of the UK in considerable danger, closing the M6 & M55; to Veolia's grave misconduct in aiding and abetting the Israeli violation of international law and human rights of the Palestinians.  No one must be able to say that the NLWA awarded these contracts in ignorance of the complicity of one of the bidders with flagrant and ongoing war crimes."

Tell Clyde and Afzal you want Waltham Forest to have nothing to do with Veolia because:

- Local government regulations allow councils to exclude companies from public contracts if they are guilty of 'grave misconduct'.  Veolia operates the Jerusalem Light Rail, the purpose of which is to consolidate the link between the illegal Israeli settlements with Israel. The Jerusalem Light Rail has been criticised as illegal under international law by the UN Human Rights Council.

- When Veolia advertised for drivers for the Jerusalem Light Rail, it stipulated that applicants must have served in the Israeli military and be able to speak Hebrew to mother tongue standard.  This blatant form of discrimination, which excluded Palestinians, including those who are citizens of Israel, from applying for the jobs, is not compatible with the anti-discrimination policies of UK local authorities. 

- Veolia operates the Tovlan landfill for rubbish from inside Israel in an illegal Israeli settlement in Occupied Palestinian Territory.  Interviews with the Palestinians working at the landfill have revealed terrible working conditions - below minimum wages and a lack of safety equipment and procedures (more info available on request). 

- Veolia subsidiary YARV Sherutei Noy 1985 was recently awarded a contract to collect waste from Israeli military bases in occupied Palestinian territory.  Veolia has now partnered with the Israeli military - which stands accused of committing gross violations of international humanitarian law - and is assisting it to continue its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. 

- Veolia operates bus services along settler-only roads in occupied Palestinian territory. When the Palestinian Freedom Riders boarded a settler-only bus earlier this year, they were dragged off and arrested, simply because they were Palestinians.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED YOU COME ALONG!

MONDAY 21 Nov @ 7.30pm

Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 9AH

We are incredibly privileged to have two fantastic guest speakers joining us to focus on Jerusalem - Al-Quds al-Sharif, the capital of Palestine

ARTHUR NESLEN

Acclaimed author of Occupied Minds: A Journey Through the Israeli Psyche and columnist for the Guardian, Aljazeera, Haaretz and others, Art is flying in especially to revisit his local London borough roots and speak exclusively to WFPSC about his latest book of compelling interviews with Palestinians — In Your Eyes A Sandstorm: Ways of Being Palestinian — http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520264274

As the publisher says: "Neslen reaches beyond journalistic clichés to let a wide variety of Palestinians answer the question for themselves.  Beginning in the present with Bisan and Abud, two traumatized children from Jenin's refugee camp, the book's narrative arcs backwards through the generations to come full circle with two elderly refugees from villages that the children were named after.  Along the way, Neslen recounts a history of land, resistance, exile and trauma that begins to explain Abud's wish to become a martyr and Bisan's dream of a Palestine empty of Jews.  Senior Fatah and Hamas figures relate key events of the Palestinian experience — the Second Intifada, Oslo Process, First Intifada, Thawra, 1967 War, the Naqba, and the Great Arab Revolt of 1936 — in their own words. The extraordinary voices of women, children, farmers, fighters, drug dealers, policeman, doctors, and others, spanning the political divide from Salafi Jihadists to Israeli soldiers, bring the Palestinian story to life even as their words sow seeds of hope in the scorched Palestinian earth."

“In this wonderful collection, one can hear the Palestinians speaking for themselves and not through others who may distort or dim their messages. Very few collections have brought home to us so vividly and authentically what it means to be a Palestinian today.” — Ilan Pappe, author of The Rise and Fall of a Palestinian Dynasty

"This highly original work is an important contribution to Palestine literature, especially in the way that personal narrative interacts with and enriches collective-national and public memory." — Nur Masalha, author of Expulsion of the Palestinians: The Concept of "Transfer" in Zionist Political Thought

ANDY SIMONS

Indefatigable local human rights activist and fine jazz musician, Andy curates jazz recording collections and writes extensively for many leading journals and specialist publications, as well as writing his own book Black British Swing.  He will be presenting his personal experiences of and reflections on the West Bank, following his visit there in the summer.

Please bring family, friends and colleagues to support this exclusive event.

Free entry.  Donations for halal/kosher refreshments, Palestinian Zaytoun produce and PSC merchandise.  Wheelchair access.  ALL WELCOME!

Sat 19 Nov: Boycotting! Mon 21 Nov: Art Neslen book launch!

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Boycott Divestment & Sanctions - ACTION ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON!

Sat 19 Nov

Join us for our exciting Waltham Forest borough day of action, picketing a supermarket and persuading customers to back the successful international campaign to stop buying illegal Israeli settlement goods.  People of all abilities, ages and backgrounds very welcome.  Please email wfpsc@yahoo.com as soon as possible before Saturday morning to join in.  

We will be meeting on Saturday at 12noon in an undisclosed location in the borough.  CONTACT US NOW TO JOIN IN!

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Jerusalem speaker event - EXCLUSIVE WRITERS' EVENING ON MONDAY!

Mon 21 Nov @ 7.30pm

Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, E17 9AH

All welcome on Monday to our fascinating speaker event, focussing on Jerusalem.  Bring your friends, families, colleagues - everyone!

Special guest speaker and locally-raised author ART NESLEN will be giving an exclusive insight into his new book "In Your Eyes A Sandstorm: Ways of Being Palestinian" allowing many different Palestinians recount their little-known history of land, resistance, exile and trauma.  University of California Press (the publisher) says: "The extraordinary voices of women, children, farmers, fighters, drug dealers, policemen, doctors and others, spanning the political divide...bring the Palestinian story to life even as their words sow seeds of hope in the scorched Palestinian earth."  We are also delighted to have local campaigner ANDY SIMONS speaking who has recently returned from visiting the West Bank.  It should prove a fascinating evening.  Free entry.  Donations for teas/coffees.  ALL WELCOME!

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Thank you for supporting PSC

Thank you for supporting PSC A special message from Jeremy Corbyn Do you remember what first motivated you to support Palestinian rights?    Was it your outrage against the injustices meted out against Palestinians? Your support for international law and justice? A desire to show solidarity with an oppressed people? Because you recognised this is the anti-apartheid movement of today?   Most of us get involved because we want to make a difference. Thank you for your support. Now we need your help again. PSC needs funds urgently. At a time when many of us are tightening our belts the Palestinians need our support more than ever.   PSC is campaigning to: End the siege on Gaza Stop ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Jerusalem Build the movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions There are several ways you can help: give regularly by standing order >>  make a one off donation >>  Fundraise for PSC >>  get involved in events and activities >>  And if you aren’t already a member, join us today! Join PSC >>  This is the anti-apartheid movement of our time. It is vital that we stand up and speak out for Palestine. Help us make a difference. Donate today >> >> The Palestine Solidarity Campaign exists to build a mass solidarity movement on Palestine. PSC campaigns for self-determination for Palestinians, and for Israel to abide by international law, including an end to its illegal occupation and for the right of return of Palestinian refugeees. It is founded on principles of justice, human rights, and opposition to all forms of racism.  To find out more about our aims click here>> This is a message from Palestine Solidarity Campaign. If you have any problems with this message or wish to unsubscribe please email info@palestinecampaign.org a message from Jeremy Corbyn Find fundraising ideas on our website >>  Swim for Gaza >> Why not hold a dinner party for Palestine? >> Walking the Wall >> Sponsored walk Fundraising tool kit >> Leave a legacy for Palestine >>

WFPSC activities for November 2011

Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign - November 2011

For latest news, events & campaign resources, join national PSC - http://bit.ly/ieoJf8

Stalls - local action!

Sat 12 Nov & 26 Nov

Wrap up warm, and volunteer to get some fresh air between 11am-2pm, helping with our successful street stall in Walthamstow Town Square.  Email wfpsc@yahoo.com to say which day you can do.  Experienced team members will be on hand to train you up, organise the coffees and have a great chinwag!

Songs of Freedom - music, food & spoken word event!

Sat 12 Nov

Pilar Awa is very kindly hosting an amazing evening for us at Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, E17 9AH in aid of WFPSC and freedom for Palestinians.  Enjoy exciting performances from acclaimed poet Rafeef Ziadah with songs from Pilar Awa plus other special performances during this convivial and cultured evening that will make you think.  Doors at 7pm, performances from 8pm.  Food & drink available, plus Palestinian Zaytoun products and more.  Entry £5 or £3.50 concessions.  All welcome!  

Boycott Divestment & Sanctions - local day of action!

Sat 19 Nov

Join us for our exciting Waltham Forest borough day of action, picketing supermarkets and persuading customers to back the successful international campaign to stop buying illegal Israeli settlement goods.  People of all abilities, ages and backgrounds very welcome.  Please email wfpsc@yahoo.com to express your interest in participating!

Jerusalem - speaker event

Mon 21 Nov

All welcome to our special speaker event focussing on Jerusalem @ 7.30pm at Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, E17 9AH.  Guest speakers include local campaigner Andy Simons who has recently returned from visiting the West Bank and others to be announced.  It should prove a fascinating evening.  Free entry.  Donations for teas/coffees.  All welcome!

Lobby of Parliament - national action!

Weds 23 Nov

Take part in this important national PSC lobby of Parliament from 2pm-6pm, focussing on Jerusalem.  In the past we have had some success meeting our local MPs at the heart of Westminster and persuading them of the facts about Palestine.  Follow the instructions on this link (http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index5b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=3&l2_id=20) to set up a meeting with your MP and coordinate with PSC centrally.  Take this opportunity to exercise your democratic rights in full, in person, at the House of Commons.

Boycott Divestment & Sanctions - national day of action!

Sat 26 Nov

This year targeting Tesco, join in with this huge national campaigning day when thousands of people from all walks of life will lobby Tesco in any way possible to disassociate itself from illegal Israeli settlement produce and work with Palestinian producers instead.  See PSC's advance information (http://bit.ly/rNGlLc) and get involved - your participation will make a difference!

Remember there are dozens of Palestine events taking place in London and nationally every week.  Check PSC's useful listings page http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index8b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=99 and join in!

Next Meeting - Thursday 15 Sep 2011, 7.30pm - Quaker's Meeting House

WFPSC Branch Meeting

Thurs 15 Sept at 7.30pm 

Quaker Meeting House, 1a Jewel Road, Walthamstow

Agenda

1) Welcome back!

2) Fundraising gig for national campaign on 23 Sept at Bell Pub

3) Veolia lobby on 22 Sept

4) Finance ratification

5) Stall on 17 Sep

6) Lots of other interesting stuff to get you involved.

From October Branch meetings will revert to the 3rd Monday of every month.

WFPSC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - tomorrow, Friday 08 July - 7pm onwards

Everyone welcome to attend our annual meeting at which we review the year and look forward to the next.  In order to vote, you must be a current member of PSC.  We'll have lots of products on sale too - Zaytoun oils, couscous, olives, and PSC t-shirts, keffiyehs, and lots of other good stuff.  Come along for the short admin meeting, followed by plenty of time to chat and catch up at the social, participating in Hornbeam's "open mic" night!

Friday 08 July

Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe St, Walthamstow, E17 9AH

AGM 7pm-8.15pm (upstairs)

Social at the "Open Mic" night 8.30pm (downstairs) 

AGM Agenda:

i) Apologies 

ii) Minutes of last AGM

iii) Reports from Chair, Treasurer and other Officers

iv) Elections

v) Dates for next year's branch meetings and AGM

vi) Any other business

Looking forward to seeing you all!  And BUY THE SINGLE (see below)!  

Best wishes

WFPSC team

Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Patrons:  Neil Gerrard, Jean Lambert MEP, Prof Nur Masalha

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/walthamforestpsc

Twitter:  @wfpsclondon
Web:  http://wfpsc.blogspot.com

Post:  WFPSC c/o Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe St, Walthamstow, E17 9AH

Email:  wfpsc@yahoo.com

WFPSC - upcoming things to do, from Sat 18 June 2011

Hello everyone!

1) Sat 18 June - weekly stall
2) Fri 08 July - AGM and social
3) Sat 09 July - PSC national's one-day Summer Conference
4) OneWorld's single "Freedom For Palestine": pre-order it today!
5) Veolia's rubbish: bin it!
6) Ramadan: don't buy Israeli medjoul dates!
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1) THIS WEEK'S STALL
Saturday 18 June - Walthamstow Town Square, nearish the big screen!
11am-2pm
Please volunteer! Can you spare an hour or two on Saturday? We need you to help with our stall. It's one of our most important and productive activities. Contact wfpsc@yahoo.com

2) WFPSC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Friday 08 July - Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe St, Walthamstow, E17 9AH
AGM 7pm-8.15pm (upstairs) followed by
Social 8.30pm till late (downstairs) at the "Open Mic" night!

AGM Agenda:
i) Apologies
ii) Minutes of last AGM
iii) Reports from Chair, Treasurer and other Officers
iv) Elections
v) Dates for next year's branch meetings and AGM
vi) Any other business

3) PSC SUMMER CONFERENCE
Saturday 09 July - University of London Union (ULU), Malet Street, WC1E 7HY
10am-5pm
Represent your organisation at this important coordinating conference. To attend, please register by emailing info@palestinecampaign.org with the following details: Name, Organisation you represent, Mobile phone number, Email address

4) PRE-ORDER THE PALESTINE SONG!
Support the "Freedom for Palestine" single by pre-ordering it today!
Download it right now for £1.29 from iTunes (http://tinyurl.com/3bbp4g8or) or HMV digital (http://tinyurl.com/5u3t227). Features singers Maxi Jazz (Faithless), Dave Randall (Slovo/Faithless), LSK, the Durban Gospel Choir, Jamie Catt (1 Giant Leap) and musicians from around the world. Official release date is 03 July, but it needs radio airplay before that, especially on the BBC that has already censored lyrics that feature the word "Palestine", so phone your local radio station and get them to play it! It's a HUGE campaign: be part of it - http://www.waronwant.org/freedomoneworld/

5) BIN VEOLIA!
Veolia, the French conglomerate that is bidding for a stake in our borough's fuel-from-waste services (which is a massive multimillion pound, up-to-35 year contract) is the focus of a long-running international campaign to curb its activities due to its well-documented involvement in Israeli apartheid practices daily damaging thousands of Palestinians' lives in the West Bank and Jerusalem. We don't want Veolia anywhere near our borough! If you are as concerned as us, contact Lorty Philips (novag@hotmail.co.uk) to join the North London wide No2VeoliaActionGroup campaign. Please volunteer for our Waltham Forest's local "No2Veolia" working group by emailing us (wfpsc@yahoo.com) and finally, sign this petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/say-no-to-veolia-in-north-london

6) THIS RAMADAN - DON'T BUY THE WRONG PALM DATES!
This Ramadan, which takes place in August, make sure your friends and family are eating ethical palm dates. Whatever you do, don't help Israeli apartheid against the Palestinians! So, read the 'country of origin' label on the box. If it says ANY of the following, it's trouble: "West Bank" "Israel" "Jordan Valley", and it will be contributing to the oppression and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. If none of the hundreds of other international palm dates available catch your fancy, buy real Palestinian dates produced by Zaytoun and distributed locally through us at WFPSC - wfpsc@yahoo.com.

For the range of other Palestine events and interesting ways to get involved all around London and beyond, keep your eye on our "walthamforestpsc" Facebook page, or Twitter @wfpsclondon!

Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Patrons: Neil Gerrard, Jean Lambert MEP, Prof Nur Masalha
Facebook: www.facebook.com/walthamforestpsc
Twitter: @wfpsclondon
Web: http://wfpsc.blogspot.com
Post: WFPSC c/o Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe St, Walthamstow, E17 9AH
Email: wfpsc@yahoo.com

For latest news, events & campaign resources, join PSC - http://bit.ly/ieoJf8

PUBLIC MEETING - WED O8 JUNE @ 7PM - HARMONY HALL, WALTHAMSTOW

Latest meetings - Branch on 12 May * AGM on 8 July * Stalls on Saturdays

THURSDAY 12 May @ 6pm (NEW TIME - 6PM)

Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe St, E17 9AH

WFPC Branch Meeting

We will be discussing: 

+ No2Veolia in WF campaign (Israeli-Apartheid-supporting French company bidding to run North London's recycling-to-recreate-fuel system), and other Boycott Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) activities in WF

+ Nakba (catastrophe) memorial events 14/15 May

+ Gaza activities - forthcoming convoys, Freedom Flotilla II, friendship links

+ West Bank activities - supporting IWPS

+ Delayed public event on Mid East

+ Weekly Saturday stall in Walthamstow Town Square

+ Zaytoun produce sales

Everyone very welcome!
At 8pm, we'll debunk to a local pub to carry on chatting.

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Advance Notice (first advertised in September 2010!)

FRIDAY 8 July @ 7pm

Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe St, E17 9AH

WFPSC AGM

This year we will be holding a short administrative meeting to oversee the annual accounts, report back on the year's activities and hold elections.  Everyone welcome to attend and join in. To be eligible to vote or be elected, however, you need to be a paid-up member of PSC national by clicking here.

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SATURDAYS!

Would you help with our weekly info stall?  Happening each Saturday lunchtime in Walthamstow Town Square, it's really easy to take part.  So why not join us to chat, hand out leaflets, receive donations, and enjoy engaging with the local public in the fresh air?  Choose an hour that suits you (from 11am to 3pm) and click here to make your offer!

New WFPSC facebook page

Not to be suppressed for long, WFPSC has set up a brand new 'Facebook Page'. Click here to hook up to it. You can also see Facebook link on the left of this Blogspot. However you get there, please hit "LIKE" as soon as you can, so you can keep in touch.

We had over 500 Facebook friends, which we hope to top now that those trying to scupper Palestinian hopes have very kindly drawn attention to us! We look forward to seeing you on the Facebook platform, and on this Blog, in person, on the phones, and by email. Communication rocks!

Stronger, bolder and very cheerfully, we go on - Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea. And Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign will be right there alongside all Palestinians throughout the Just campaign, and when freedom comes.

Lorra luv

All the team at WFPSC

WFSPC's page on Facebook has been shut down 'for being under an assumed name' (QUE?!) which is well odd, because the page has been ambling along genially for over two years, and recently we were hardly using it at all! LOLOLOL

We imagine some really deranged idiots, probably racist and probably against anything 'Arab' and definitely against anything pro Palestinian, had a little go at Facebook out of pique because, as racists, they are irrelevant losers. Just shows how incompetent and sad the 'destroy Palestine' lobby are.

Anyway, we're back, live and loud to stake out Walthamstow Town Square tomorrow, Saturday 2nd April - so see you all there!

Boycott Divestment and Sanctions against the illegal Apartheid occupation of Palestinian lands is really beginning to work - and at the forefront of the BDS campaign to free Palestine are a vast array of Jewish groups alongside whom we are extremely proud to stand.

Love, your very own, proud to be pro-Palestinian, WFPSC team XX

WFPSC Branch Meeting

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Hornbeam Café, Hoe Street, E17 http://www.hornbeam.org.uk/find-us

7pm -9pm

With guest speaker Ann Wright, on the situation in East Jerusalem.

Come along to the first WFPSC branch meeting of 2011 to hear about upcoming activities and campaigns in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and how to get involved in the borough.

Our guest speaker Ann Wright, has gained expert knowledge of the situation in East Jerusalem while volunteering in the area and will give an account of the ongoing house demolitions and expulsions Palestinians residents face daily.

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Fundraising Dinner for our Friendship Projects with Gaza

Wednesday 23^rd February 2011- 7pm

At Cinar Restaurant, Opposite St James Street Station E17

Join us for a marvellous fundraising meal with entertainment to raise funds for our friendship links and twinning projects with communities in Gaza. Make sure to book in advance to guarantee a place for you, your friends and family!

Advance booking only: £20 per person, including full Turkish meal.

Cheques to PO Box 64002, London, E17 0HD

For more info (send text to) 07791107865 or email wfpsc@yahoo.com

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Other events:

Rally for Gaza, to mark 2 years since the end of the Israeli attack on Gaza.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

7pm Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn

And more on the PSC website: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/Index8b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=99

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Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Patrons: Neil Gerrard, Jean Lambert MEP, Prof Nur Masalha

Email: wfpsc@yahoo.com

Web: www.facebook.com/wfpsc

Blog: http://wfpsc.blogspot.com

Address: PO Box 64002, London, E17 0HD