Former political prisoner Nasrin Parvaz reads a letter to Keir Starmer signed by more than 100 pro-democracy, pro-justice and anti-war British-Iranians, including other former Evin detainees Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Aras Amiri. Full list of signatories is at togetherforiran.org
what is the largest animal you are confident you could expel, singlehandedly, from a medium-size bookshop?
RULES:
- you have no resources beyond what is available in the shop
- you must remain more or less uninjured
- bookshop has 2 floors; animal is on ground floor, you can choose where you begin
Amazing how predictable the outcome of having an incompetent government running an inhumane Home Office with a sole focus of pandering to right wing racists, rather than doing something useful like improving initial decision making to reduce the need for appeals.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
This week I took procrastination to a whole new level - instead of working on my thesis I decorated my son’s bedroom! (Didymus helped…)
As an Iranian who hates the regime, this is tragic.
As a person who follows news, the US has given Iran EVERY reason to go hardline.
When the reward for good-faith negotiations is bombed schools & hospitals, assassinated leaders, and OIL RAINING FROM THE SKY, the definition of "pragmatic" changes.
This is what ecocide looks like.
Burning petroleum turned into toxic rainfall falling down on humans, animals, soil. Tehran has a well known population of Street cats. Where will they hide? What about the generation of children breathing this in? What about the birds local &migratory?
War is ecocide.
Images verified by Human Rights Watch show Israel fired white phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon.
Ooh this looks interesting!!
On International Women's Day, and the 1-year-anniversary of when Mahmoud Khalil was first detained, read this powerful first-hand account from Leqaa Kordia — a young Palestinian woman who is *still* in detention after being detained shortly after Mahmoud was:
Chicago Cardinal Cupich on the White House video mashup celebrating the Iran bombings:
“A real war with real death and real suffering being treated like it’s a video game — it’s sickening. Hundreds of people are dead…”
www.archchicago.org/statement/-/...
In honour of #iwd26 I’m sharing my short article “10 Commitments of a Feminist Theologian” alongside some of the story of the founding of the Feminist Theology Network @feministtheology.bsky.social practicaltheologyhub.com?p=2081
ALL Women must stand together on International Women's Day Graphic image of women's outlines in different colours like watercolour.
On International Women’s Day, we reflect on the importance of solidarity between women🩷
For over a decade, the conversation around trans rights has been used to divide women who would otherwise stand together. This weakens our ability to challenge the real sources of inequality, misogyny & violence
Multiple news outlets are reporting a US attack on an Iranian #desalination plant.
If verified, this violates international law protecting #water systems during wars, and it sets a dangerous precedent, given intense dependence of Gulf countries on desalination.
timesofoman.com/article/1691...
STATEMENT 1/
Last night, the Metropolitan Police raided the Westminster Quaker Meeting house – again. This time, they targeted Take Back Power's direct action training. There were 15 arrests.
BBC Verify has analysed verified videos and satellite imagery that show severe damage to a hospital, sporting centres, a UNESCO world heritage site and two schools since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Saturday, as the number of civilian casualties grows.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Graphic showing how asylum policies have shifted from protection to deterrence since the 1980's
The latest announcement from the Home Secretary follows a path of previous governments in creating ever harsher and more hostile asylum policies. What were once designed to provide protection and now created to prevent people getting it. There needs to be a change, with a focus back on protection.
This government is hideous. It doesn't need any analysis or deep dives to know that this is a fundamentally cruel and inhumane policy idea and no different to that pushed by the likes of Reform or Trump.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
As missiles fall on Iran, the case for global disarmament becomes urgent
This is what happens when governments set up studies and reviews with a predetermined conclusion to deny support to marginalised groups. It's so important to defend trans and non-binary rights. That's why the work of groups like @goodlawproject.org, @transactualuk.bsky.social, et al is so important.
Image shows Sian Berry stood to the left of campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, and surrounded by a group of clean air campaigners. All of them are smiling and holding a copy of Ella's Law - the Clean Air (Human Rights Bill).
Image shows Rosamund Adoo-Kiss-Debrah sat next to Sian with a copy of Ella's Law on the table in front of them. They are both reading the Bill that is named in memory of Rosamund's daughter Ella who died aged nine due to exposure to air pollution.
Ella’s Law has been published 👏
No child should have the growth of their lungs stunted because of dirty air where they live and play, yet this is the reality of air pollution in England. Ella’s Law would change this.
My thanks to Rosamund and all the hard-working campaigners demanding change.
At least 13 hospital and health facilities in Iran hit since US-Israel attacks began, WHO says
Dear Shabana, I notice today that you referred to me in your speech on immigration at the IPPR think tank. You said: “A party leader should not be on the beaches of France encouraging people to make a perilous crossing on small boats.” I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised especially after the hateful Labour campaign in Gorton and Denton, but this is just the latest in a string of lies peddled by a discredited Government who intentionally fan the flames of racism and division. When I went to Calais, I was not there to encourage people to travel to the UK. I was there to see at first hand the suffering your Government and successive Governments have done in demonising migrants in a pathetic bid to pander to the base instincts of Reform and the flawed strategy of Morgan McSweeney. As you will know, if you even bothered to research my visit instead of taking Reform talking points, I was there to witness the brutality of families living in tents in freezing temperatures. I filled water tanks and picked up litter. What that visit did do is confirm my belief that if we are to smash the boat gangs and stop the boats, we need to offer safer and managed routes for migrants to come to this country. Showing compassion as a politician is not a crime. In fact, we need to see much more of it. It reminded me of a young MP who in October 2015 spent three days in Lesbos helping migrants fleeing war-torn Syria. She posted videos on X, talked about handing out water and croissants to refugees and food parcels. When she returned to the UK, she wrote a very moving piece in the New Statesman. She said “we have to work with our European partners and create new, safe, and legal routes for refugees to get to Europe. We cannot abandon them to their fate, left as prey for smugglers whilst risking death on the seas.” She said “maybe we can make ourselves feel better by saying no-one is making them get on the boats. And again, the Home Secretary is not entirely wrong when …
Dear Shabana,
Let's clear some things up around migration and remember we're talking about people's lives.
A purple, flowery piece of fabric, with white cross-stitch fabric sewn onto it, containing the hand-stitched quote “What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” - Jane Goodall. The piece is tied to a chain link fence with brown string. There is a playing field in the background. - a label attached to the piece says “Craftivist Collective. Made with courage and love.”
@craftivists mini protest banner. Took me 6 months to make as I’m not very good at sewing! I’ve put this up on a fence at the end of the footpath leading to my children’s school. A gentle nudge to passersby to encourage them to make a difference for good. #craftivist #trowbridge #gentleprotest
Republican politicians and their evangelical Christian cohort are trying to kill the whole planet in order to bring Jesus back and they’re calling OTHER PEOPLE religious fanatic lunatics?? Jail for everyone immediately.
STANDING WITH PALESTINE END THE SIEGE Green Party Promoted by Chris Williams on behalf of The Green Party, both at PO Box 78066, London, SE169GQ
Israel's genocide in Gaza has killed over 72,000 Palestinians.
Now Palestinians in Gaza again face enforced hunger after Israel closed all crossings into Gaza, with humanitarian groups warning supplies will last only a few days.
End the siege. Let food in.
Grateful to share my thoughts on Purim, Esther, and trauma @baptistnews.com. baptistnews.com/article/reim...
As we grieve the loss of life caused by war, we remember also the terrible impact that military action has on climate and the environment. The suffering caused by war persists long after peace is declared, in so many ways that we shut our eyes to. Protest makes this connection more visible.
The Home Secretary's decision, without any attempt at consultation or oversight, to limit refugees to 30 months in the UK before having to have their claims re-confirmed is a cruel, inhumane, and ultimately unworkable policy. The Home Secretary has claimed it is necessary to tackle "legitimate grievances". There is nothing legitimate about denying those fleeing war and persecution the ability to rebuild their lives. There is nothing legitimate about leaving them in limbo, increasing the stress and trauma they are already going through, and reinforcing hostility and racism against them. People seeking asylum often already have to wait years for their claims to be heard. Increasing the number of cases which the Home Office deals with is obviously never going to be feasible. The Home Secretary knows this. That is why she has pushed this through via the backdoor without any consultation. Instead of trying to grab headlines to appear "tough", this government needs to be ensuring that those who come here seeking safety are able to receive it faster, and more effectively. This latest PR stunt from the Home Office runs counter to any practical measures which are needed.
We are disgusted by the latest cruel and inhumane anti-asylum policy announced by the Home Secretary. Limiting refugees to 30 months before needing to re-apply undermines their ability to rebuild their lives, to feel safe and secure, all while increasing Home Office bureaucracy and costs.
