Okhwan Yoon officially ended his hunger strike on day 41, Saturday 6th August 2011.
He was in a very weak condition. After a lot of consideration it was decided that it was in the best interest to look to the future and to continue his campaign work in yet another interesting and dynamic way. The political climate at the moment is not ready or willing to take on board the issues of peace and unity when so much of the political message is based on fear and the so-called “War On Terror”
It will take some time for him to build up his strength and energy, and to get back into full operational mode! There is no rush at the moment, as the emphasise must be that he fully recovers.
He would like to extend his sincere gratitude to all the supporters and well wishers who have conveyed support for his cause. Also a thank you is given to local church Ministers who visited and prayed for him.
We must keep an open and positive mind….remember, the Berlin wall did FALL!
Petition handed in this morning to No 10 Downing Street, official home of the British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Okhwan Yoon continues his “Hunger Strike for Peace” opposite St. Margaret’s Church, in the shadows of Westminster cathedral. During the day it is unbearably hot in his small insignificant tent that is lost in the array of similar tents along the pavement.
Okhwan Yoon. Photo taken on day 34 of his hunger strike
Okhwan Yoon has now been on hunger strike at Parliament square for 37 days. On Monday a Minister from the Methodist Central Hall came to visit him and offer comfort. They have been trying to contact a Korean speaking Minister but have had difficulty in doing so, due to the August holiday period, when so many people are away or are uncontactable.
It is similar to the Tamil Protest and hunger strike in 2009 when the Government was on holiday and it was impossible to contact anyone in an official capacity.
We urgently NEED to make the Peace in Parliament Square,for the sake of the people on who’s behalf we are suppose to be campaigning for.
There are deep rooted grievances at the Square that should be put aside if we are to have any real chance of working effectively for peace.
Any personal allegations made against individuals in the Peacestrike Campaign can be dealt with and we are willing to do so. We can defend our actions if required.
Peacestrike is working to promote peace for all people. We do not promote any acts of confrontation or abuse, aimed at anyone. We do not encourage any abuse of ANY individual, regardless who they are. We may have made mistakes. If we have faltered, then we have apologised. We are open to discussion and indeed we would like open dialogue with everyone at the Square. If there is a problem then we….
NEED TO TALK!
With the impending threat of the new ‘POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL’ going through Parliament right now, this would be a good time to unite for the common cause of defending Parliament Square for the RIGHT reasons. Surly we can do that?
BOTTOM LINE…..IF WE ARE UNABLE, AS A PEACE MOVEMENT,TO SORT OUT OUR OWN HOUSE, HOW ARE WE SUPPOSE TO RECONCILE THE TRAGIC ISSUES OF ISRAEL, PALESTINE AND AFGHANISTAN ETC?
We are not asking people to come down to the Square and take sides or get involved in all the “negative” issues. We send out this plea for people to come down to promote peace and spread some love, in order to lift the very heavy atmosphere that hangs over the place at present. There is also quite a large group of homeless people. They are disenfranchised and distressed at times. However, they are trying to survive, and are generally in good humour, despite obvious struggles and issues. We all need support and encouragement…..It is not our place to say whether they should be at the Square or not. The point is, until they are moved on, for whatever reason, they are entitled to be there. At present, it is their home.
The peace movement is not Parliament Square, it is made up of all the campaigns, groups, and individuals who speak out against oppresion and injustice. We are all a part of the on-going struggle, and we are all linked in the work we collectively do. We are not separate, and we all need each others support. No one does it on their own!
We may not be able to heal the individual relationship breakdowns that have taken hold in the Square, but we must not allow it to become a “NO GO ZONE! Come along and bring some peace, positive thoughts and views. Above all, don’t go away disenchanted! Without effort and goodwill there is no hope for change.
WE HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL DUTY, AND RESPONSIBILITY, TO ALL VICTIMS OF WAR AND OPPRESSION, TO SET ASIDE OUR PERSONAL DIFFERENCES.
The White Flag Revolution will be hosting a mass rally starting at 10am on the 1st of December 2010.
Lets fill Whitehall to bursting point to make our Government listen to the concerns of the British people.
Lets hold them to account. We demand an end to the Afghanistan war!, and the return of our troops to the UK. We want to prevent an expansion to any war in Iran. This war which is unwinnable must end now!
Only the people can make this happen, if you want peace then its upto you to come.
You can also follow our “white flag revolution” channel on you tube
A non-violent direct action to shut down Cities and Towns across the United Kingdom starting on Saturday 20th November. Following the STOP THE WAR demonstration at Hyde Park London, the protest will rally at Trafalgar Square, Peacestrike will then proceed down Whitehall / Westminster carrying white flags for peacein order to make a historical stand from 4.30pm. We must unite at this critical time country- wide, to make this the largest civil disobedience action ever.
This will be a peaceful protest.Bring white flags,tents, sleeping bags, roll mats, warm clothes, waterproofs,umbrellas, space blankets, anything to keep you warm and dry. Also bring banners and placards.
BE PREPARED TO STAY AS LONG AS NECESSARY. THIS IS A PRE-EMPTIVE “DON”T ATTACK IRAN”
A non-violent direct action to shut down Westminster and Whitehall including other Cities and Towns across the United Kingdom starting on Saturday 20th November. Following the STOP THE WAR demonstration from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square proceed with us down Whitehall / Westminster carrying white flags for peacein order to make a historical stand from 4.30pm.
This will be a peaceful protest. Bring tents, sleeping bags and refreshments, white flags, make banners, placards. Be prepared to stay as long as needed.
Help leafleting and campaign with us to mobilise the widest possible support. Online media can also reach millions. Use Facebook, Twitter, your email, website, blog etc. Following the demonstration we need a 60,000+ critical mass of Volunteers to then proceed to Westminster and Whitehall to send a determined message to our Government that the war in Afghanistan must end!
“Everyone can make a difference”
This war is unwinnable
Please join this crucial demonstration in Westminster and Whitehall which will give back a voice to the antiwar majority in this country and tell the politicians the time for peace is… NOW!
The war in Afghanistan has entered its 10th year, longer than World War I and World War II combined.
⚫ 77% of the general public do not support the illegal war and occupation of Afghanistan.
⚫ 342 service personnel have been killed – twice the number killed in the Iraq war to date, with over 4,000 seriously wounded field hospital admissions,.
⚫Tens of thousands of unarmed innocent Afghan civilians have been killed since 2001, with 2010 the worst year yet.
Ministry Of Defence Operations Factsheets ref: http://www.mod.uk
Too many innocent lives in Afghanistan are being lost.
What for?
“Afghanistan Time for Peace.”
To Stop War – The People Must Stop!
The Orange Revolution staged by the people of the Ukraine, followed the 2004 Presidential elections, for which, it was claimed showed massive corruption, fraud and voter intimidation.
This democratic revolution was highlighted by a series of acts of civil disobedience, mass sitins and general strikes, with thousands of supporters camping out along the central streets of Kiev.
What was the Orange Revolution? Ref: http://orangeukraine.squarespace.com/revolution
“Lets UNITE now for future Peace.”
The people are saying;
“CUT THE WAR, NOT OUR BUDGETS!”
Listen to the people
Why it’s time for the troops to come home
We, the people, have nothing more to lose by taking a stand now for common humanity.
We need UK forces to withdrawn soon; we need to break the NATO coalition. If we don’t act now, this could result in an escalation of war into Iran.
So much bravery, loyalty, devotion; so many young lives already destroyed. Unmanned drone planes continue to bomb Pakistan daily, despite the fact that NO declaration of war has been made. This is not reported within mainstream media.
The war in Afghanistan is a mess. The insurgency grows, and why wouldn’t it: foreign troops have invaded and occupied their country! The people responsible for 9/11 are no longer there. So why are we?
Why are we offering up the lives of our sons and daughters every single day, for no reason anyone can define. The October 20th Governments budgets cuts are upon us. These are the severest spending cuts since the 1930s – all in order to fund an illegal war.
Prime Minister Cameron says our British troops will be in Afghanistan at least another five years at a cost of £5bn a year, while cutting child benefits to save £1bn a year and cutting housing benefit to
the poor to save £1.8bn a year.
Following the successful withdraw of our service personnel, we, as a country
must take responsibility for ongoing humanitarian aid and support to the people of
Afghanistan.
Contact phone number 07907233861, email mail@peacestrike.org
Peace Strike is committed to bring our service personnel back from Afghanistan alive, and to aid in the prevention of further conflicts within the middle east especially Iran.
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