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SUSCRIBE
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wib@matriz.net
WiB E-MAIL
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A World-wide Network of Women against Injustice, Violence and War
Women in Black are committed to peace with justice. We are actively opposed to war and other forms of violence. WIB is not an organization, but a means of mobilization and a formula for action. Our demonstrations are always women only, and usually take the form of women wearing black, standing in a public place in silent, non-violent vigils at regular intervals.
Women in Black's history... WIB vigils were started in Israel in 1988 by women protesting against Israel's Occupation of the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza. Italian women supporters took their idea back to Italy, and thence to Yugoslavia. Women in Black weekly vigils have been continuously held in Republic Square, Belgrade, an important and rare voice opposing the Milosevic regime's involvement in aggression.
A worldwide movement... It is impossible to know how many women there are who identify with Women in Black, how many groups or mailing lists or newsletters exist, or how many actions have been held. It has become a worldwide movement. Women in Black encounters have been held in Jerusalem in 1994, and in Novi Sad, ex-Yugoslavia, each August since 1994. A WIB vigil was held in Beijing at the time of the 1995 UN Conference on Women.
Women in Black London... is a mailing list and phone tree of women ready to respond to the threat of military aggression. We aim to encourage and lend support to other women around the world who are often closer to the violence. And we try to educate, inform and influence public opinion, and so try to make war an unthinkable option. Women in Black groups demonstrated in London: in support of WIB Israel in the 1980s; in opposition to the Gulf War in 1991; against aggression in Bosnia in 1993-5; against US/UK bombing of Iraq in 1998; and of Sudan and Afghanistan in 1998; to end sanctions against Iraq in 1999; and again in 1999 against both nationalist aggression in Kosova/o and NATO bombing.
Why women?... Women-only peace activism does not suggest that women, any more than men, are 'natural born peace-makers'. But women have a particular experience of life, being disproportionately involved in caring work. We know what injustice and oppression is, because we experience it as women. Women are often at the receiving end of gendered violence, both in peace and war. Women are the majority of refugees. Women's different and varied voices are often drowned out in mixed actions of men and women. When we act alone two things are different. First, what women say is really heard. Secondly, sometimes even peace demonstra-tions get violent, and as women alone we can choose non-violent and espressive forms of action we feel comfortable with.
Differences... We are by principle women of all ethnic and national backgrounds, co-operating across these (and many other) differences in the interests of justice and peace. We recognize that ethnic and national names are often 'labels' used carelessly or destructively. We do not suppose you can read from a person's 'name' what they think or believe. But we also recognize the power of history, and that when people are oppressed as an ethnic or national group they may need to organize resistance in that name. We work for a world in which there is mutual respect, and where difference does not mean inequality, oppression or exclusion.
How does WIB London work? We have no formal structure or representative committee. There is presently a core group of nine women, who have volunteered themselves as available to coordinate actions from time to time. This group is always open to other WIB activists who may be interested to share the work. It is open to anyone to propose an action. Publicity, placards and leaflets are prepared and actions reviewed at open meetings.
WIB, c/o The Maypole Fund, Box 14072, London N16 5WB.
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DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THE MAILING LIST/TELEPHONE TREE OF WOMEN IN BLACK LONDON? If so, fill in and tear off this slip and send it to the above address.
Name......................................
Tel Home..................................
e-mail address............................
Tel Work..................................
Please tick if you want your number to be on the phone tree
Address....................................