> Web:
http://www.stopwar.org.uk
>
> URGENT REQUEST TO ALL STOP THE WAR'S SUPPORTERS
> GOVERNMENT COMPLAINS TO BBC FOR BLOCKING GAZA APPEAL
> JOIN THE GOVERNMENT'S PROTEST: COMPLAIN NOW TO THE BBC
>
> Stop the War understands that the government has contacted the
> BBC to complain about its decision to refuse the broadcasting
> of a humanitarian appeal for Gaza.
>
> The BBC's decision will prevent the raising of millions of
> pounds in emergency aid being sent to Gaza. Stop the War is
> demanding that the exchange between the government and the BBC
> be made public immediately.
>
> The BBC says it is blocking the emergency appeal "to avoid any
> risk of compromising public confidence in the BBC's
> "impartiality", as if this has anything to do with
> humanitarian aid for a devastated people. Either they need the
> aid or they do not.
>
> This is the first time in the 48 years of similar national
> appeals for humanitarian aid that a broadcast has been
> refused. It is estimated that £10 million of urgently required
> aid will not now be sent to help Palestinians in Gaza, living
> in catastrophic conditions.
>
> "This is a betrayal of the BBC's obligation to be a public
> service," said Tony Benn, President of Stop the War. "To deny
> the help that the aid agencies and the UN need is
> incomprehensible."
>
> It is imperative that the BBC responds to the government's
> complaint and reverses its decision to refuse this broadcast.
> If it does not, we will see people in Gaza continue to suffer
> due to being denied emergency relief because of BBC
> "impartiality" .
>
> Stop the War urges all its supporters to complain to the BBC.
> We must mobilise all the pressure we can to get the BBC to
> reverse its decision.
>
> TO COMPLAIN TO THE BBC
> PHONE: 03700 100 222
> TEXT: 03700 100 212
> ONLINE:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
>
> BRING CHILDREN'S DOLLS TO THE BBC
> If you are coming to demonstration on Saturday 24 January,
> which assembles outside Broadcasting House, we are asking
> protestors to bring children's dolls, wrapped if possible in
> white shrouds, to be laid on the steps of the BBC, as a
> memorial to the hundreds of children who died in Israel's
> attacks and as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians in
> Gaza, now denied urgently needed aid by the BBC.
>
> DEMONSTRATE FOR GAZA: SATURDAY 24 JANUARY
> END THE BLOCKADE: STOP ALL ARMS SALES
> BRING THE WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE
> Assemble 2.00pm BBC Broadcasting House for rally
> Portland Place, London W1A 1AA
> Nearest tubes: Great Portland Street or Regents park.
> March starts at 3.00 pm. Ends with rally in Trafalgar Square
> 4.30 pm.
>
> BRING CHILDEN'S DOLLS WRAPPED IN WHITE SHROUDS TO LAY ON THE
> STEPS OF THE BBC
>
> BRING SHOES WITH MESSAGES TO GORDON BROWN INSIDE TO DELIVER AS
> WE MARCH PAST DOWNING STREET
> Instead of banning all arms trade with Israel and breaking all
> diplomatic relations, Brown has offered to send the British
> navy to help Israel tighten its blockade on Gaza.
>
> MARCH ROUTE:
> Assemble and rally Portland Place, March to Regent Street,
> Piccadilly, Lower Regent Street, Trafalgar Square,
> Northumberland Avenue, Embankment, Parliament, Downing Street,
> Trafalgar Square (End rally)