Network news

Reports of violent xenophobic attacks on migrants in South Africa are fueling calls for South Africans to honour the spirit of tolerance enshrined in their constitution. Read the Treatment Action Campaign’s report on the systematic abuse of immigrants, and TAC’s recommendations for change. Join the Facebook group, South Africans Against Xenophobia Racism and Tribalism .

Anti-apartheid veterans have put their names to an open letter lamenting the parallel injustices in the history of struggle in Israel and South Africa. With high profile celebrations now going on to mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel, prominent South African activists have drawn stark links between the former apartheid regime and the policies of the current Israeli state.

Join the online international outcry at the inhumanity of the Burmese Junta. 17th May will be a Global Action Day to raise awareness on the growing crisis in Burma and the Junta's blatant disregard for its own citizens in blocking not only Western aid/relief supplies and workers, but also those from surrounding Asian countries.

As well as protests, vigils and prayer ceremonies, there is a special call to Bloggers to replace your usual badge, icon, or logo with this simple red graphic, and to link it to pages which raise awareness of the plight of Burmese disaster victims.

Be part of the 3-mile-long “human chain handshake” and help to peacefully send a message for a Tibet-China dialogue around the world. The human chain handshake will begin with the Dalai Lama who is finishing his speech to the Albert Hall at 4.30 pm on 22nd May, and it will stretch to the Chinese Embassy. One of the people who shakes hands with the Dalai Lama will turn to shake another person’s hand, that person will turn and shake someone else’s, and so on. The handshake will flow out through the streets of London, along a spontaneously forming human chain – around Hyde Park Corner, up to Marble Arch, along Wigmore Street and up to the Chinese Embassy.

The IWPR reports on evidence that proves the Zimbabwean election recount was a ruse to divert the nation’s attention from the ruling party’s next move in its battle to extend its hold on power

Cylcone Nargis has devastated large areas of Burma. The Burma Campaign have details of developments and appeals for donations.What little communications infrastructure that exists has been severely damaged, making contact in the low lying Irrawaddy Delta around Rangoon difficult. It is this area where the worst devastation is likely to have occurred, with most people living in homes made of bamboo that would struggle to survive torrential rains and winds of 190km an hour. Sea levels could also have risen by up to 3.5 metres in coastal areas, causing severe flooding. In addition to potential loss of life, livestock, food stocks and crops are likely to have been severely damaged.

Sign the Petition to No. 10 opposing Ealing Council’s threat to withdraw funding for SBS. The local authority’s decision is based on the view that there is no need for specialist services for black and minority women and that services to abused women in the borough need to be streamlined. This fails to take account of the unequal social, economic and cultural context which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for black and minority women to access outside help or seek information about their rights. SBS is a pioneering secular organisation that supports women victims of domestic violence from a wide range of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds in Ealing Southall and beyond.

You can add your name to the voices calling on the Department for Communities and Local Government to clarify it’s position on ‘community cohesion’ in relation to organisations providing non-generic, essential services to vulnerable people, such as those provided by Southall Black Sisters.

for hope, not hate in the London mayoral and assembly elections. There’s a real risk of British National Party candidates getting elected to the London Assembly if apathy gets the better of London’s voters and not enough progressive people turn out to vote.
London is a city of immigrants. It always has been, since the city was created by the Romans, and always will be. One in three Londoners was born outside the capital. Some were born abroad, but many others have moved here from other parts of the UK. Immigration is part and parcel of the everyday life of a modern city. It boosts the economy and enriches our communities.
If you have a vote in London, use it to celebrate the city and its diversity.

Tell SADC leaders to stop weapons shipments from reaching Zimbabwe. Sign the AVAAZ Petition to heads of governments in the southern African region, calling on them to stop the Chinese vessel An Yue Jiang, from docking and unloading its arms for Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is reporting escalating arrests, detention and harassment of presiding and polling officers from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Stopping the arms is a concrete step leaders can take to help bring justice to Zimbabwe.

Join the protest about BAE corruption and the government’s attempt at a cover-up outside their AGM on 7th May from 9.30. The Campaign against the Arms Trade will be posting token share holders to participate in the meeting itself, asking questions designed to hold the company to account.