CAAT E-News - June 2020
Online Training & Events
CAAT is excited to announce some brilliant new online events.
- Police, War & Empire - Wednesday 1 July 4-6.30pm
Join us for a 2-part series discussing the relationship between war, arms trade, policing and empire. Speakers include the amazing Adam Elliott-Cooper, Ather Zia, Arun Kundnani, Lana Ramadan-Addameer and Nadine El-Enany. Register for your place here.
- Arms Trade 101 - Thursday 9th July 6.30pm
We discuss how the global arms trade intersects with other key issues of our time, including racism, colonialism, climate (in)justice and militarised policing. Speakers include: Sham Murad ('A' is for Actvism) and Greta Zarro (World Beyond War). Register now.
- CAAT Reading Group - Thursdays 6pm starting July 16th
Join weekly reading groups discussing a range of topics - starting with an introduction to the arms trade, then delving deeper into issues from Coronavirus and the arms trade to the Stop Arming Saudi Campaign. Register now.
Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
95% of MPs have been contacted by CAAT supporters challenging the UK’s supply of rubber bullets and CS gas to the US when the same type of equipment has been used on protesters. Tear gas is a chemical weapon banned for use in war, yet it is widely used against civilians. In response to the situation, 166 MPs of all political parties signed a letter to the International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, calling for an end to arms sales while an investigation takes place.
In Scotland, MSPs voted in favour of a demand to immediately suspend UK licences for the sale of rubber bullets, tear gas and riot gear to the US, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement. The motion also called for a museum to be established in Scotland to educate people on slavery and its legacy on racism and inequality today, to help tackle the racism endemic in our own society.
Take action:
- Sign and share CAAT’s action to Stop arming US state violence
- Sign and share the Parliamentary petition to stop arming the US
- Check out our blogs on racism, state violence and the arms trade, or reflections for white organisers
Stop Arming Israel
As the Israeli government threatens the illegal annexation of the West Bank, CAAT is calling for an end to UK arms sales to Israel and the two-way military relationship between the countries. Despite ongoing abuses, and the threat of annexation of illegally occupied Palestinian land, UK arms sales to Israel have continued unabated.
Since 2015, the UK is recorded as licensing over £376 million worth of arms to Israel – but the real total is likely to be much higher. UK-made arms have been used by the Israeli military before, and it is likely that they will be again. Arms sales do not just provide military support; they also send a very clear sign of political support for the daily abuse that is being inflicted by the occupation.
Read more and please join us in supporting the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s national day of action against annexation on Saturday 4 July.
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