29 October 2004: For immediate release
A survey published in The Lancet reveals that the attack on Iraq has killed 100,000 Iraqis. As Americans go to the polls, the thousands of names of those who have died in the war and on-going occupation of Iraq will be read out in Trafalgar Square. Readers include Professor Stephen Hawking, who is to join the ‘Naming the Dead’ via a pre-recorded screening, Ken Livingstone, Nobel Prize winner Professor Joseph Rotblat, Harold Pinter, Kate Hudson, David Hare, Juliet Stevenson, Neil Pearson, Rose and Maxine Gentle, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Susie Orbach, Corin Redgrave, the Rev Mann, Tony Flint, Louise Richards, Kika Markham and Peter Kennard.
Members of the public will join in the reading and will be invited to come along and light a candle for peace. ‘Naming the Dead will take place in cities across the UK and the rest of the world including Baghdad, Sydney and Barcelona.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “The war and ongoing bloody occupation of Iraq has lead to the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children. The US-led occupation is relentless in its continued assault on Iraqi cities. On the day of the US Presidential Election this is a poignant reminder of the true horror of what is taking place in Iraq.”
-end-
Notes to editor:
1. For more information and interviews please contact Ruth Tanner CND’s Press & Communications Officer on 07968 420859
2. Please find the most up to date list of accounted for Iraqi dead .
3. John Hopkins University Survey published in the Lancet .
Please find the list of Naming the Dead ceremonies taking place across the UK and of Service Personal who have died in Iraq.
Naming the Dead is part of 7Days4Iraq. A week of events and cultural initiatives for the week of the US elections – to show solidarity with the Iraqi people and remember those who have died in this ongoing war and occupation.
The events are:
Monday November 1st
A Gala classical Concert: The Hackney Empire, 7.30 pm. For tickets contact 0208 985 2424. Ken Livingstone will introduce the concert featuring the Medici Quartet, Olivier Pons, Annika Palm and the Moscow Piano Trio who are flying in especially from Moscow and will play the world premiere of Jordanian composer Mohydeen Quandour’s piece ‘Cry Jerusalem’. Proceeds are to go to the Charity ‘Child Victims of War’.
Tuesday November 2nd
‘Naming the Dead’, Trafalgar Square, From 5pm
Wednesday November 3rd
After US Elections – What Next for Iraq? 7:00pm, Friends Meeting House, Euston Road. Special Guest Speaker – Dante Zappala , brother of Sgt Sherwood Baker who died in Iraq Dante is a member of ‘Military Families Speak Out’ in US. Other speakers – Kate Hudson (Chair CND), Lindsey German (convenor StWC), Alan Simpson MP, Muslim Association of Britain speaker, and George Galloway MP
Thursday November 4th
Poets for Peace: Conway Hall, 7.30pm. Introduced by Jonathan Pryce with Jean Binta-Breeze , Terry Jones, Christopher Logue, Adrian Mitchell, Brian Patten. Tickets £11 (including a glass of wine)
Friday November 5th
Final day of Peter Kennard’s new exhibition ‘Demo’: City Hall, Queens Walk, London SE1.
This work has been on public show (both from outside as well as inside City Hall) since October 12.