Stop The War Coalition are already protesting Barack Obama's actions

He's been President for less than a fortnight, but Barack Obama has already angered the Stop The War Coalition.

I'm subscribed to their mailing list, and have recieved news that they plan to demonstrate on April 2 in London when Obama, along with other leaders, takes part in the G20 meeting.

There will also be three days of anti-war events in Strasburg, when Obama will
join in a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization),

Stop The War Coalition accuse Obama of "sanction[ing] two
missile attacks in Pakistan, which killed dozens of civilians" and cite Obama's determination to increase solider numbers in Afghanistan as meaning "Obama's intention is to escalate the war dramatically,with the inevitable slaughter of Afghan civilians, already being killed in their hundreds."

The group also criticise Senator Hilary Clinton for mentioning the rocket attacks on Israeli homes, in a rather tasteless pice entitled "You couldn't make it up", saying "No prizes for guessing which country she meant (clue: not the one she
should have been talking about)."

Yes, how dare Hilary Clinton discuss rocket attacks in Israel! She should only talk about what the Stop The War Coalition want to talk about.

I admired the Stop The War Coalition's response to the Iraq War, but feel that they are taking a one-sided view of the Gaza conflict, like so many others.

They should be opposed to the deaths of civilians from Israeli military activity and the deaths of civilians from Hamas rockets.

In other news, student demonstrations are still occuring round the country, with reports that Nottingham University has been occupied. Five universites, including Sussex, have claimed victory.

Stop The War Coalition are holding a student activists' meeting to discuss the co-ordinaton of the campaign against Israeli action in Gaza, which apparently also encompasses protesting against the war in Afghanistan as well.

The meeting will take place on Feb 7 from noon till 4pm at Clore Management Centre Rm Bo1, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London WC1 E7HX, well served by tubes including Euston Square.