Last Sunday the European Union (EU) withdrew their generous tax-concession on Sri Lankan exports known as GSP+. Congratulations to all of you who helped the campaign to achieve this (first ever) victory against such a barbarous regime.
The cost to them is estimated from $120m to $500m (out of an export revenue of $3bn to the EU) depending on the loss of orders due to their increased cost. Government taxes will also fall as a result.
To highlight how out of touch they are, their ex-human rights (sic) Minister Rajiva Wijesinha is quoted as saying "It is high time that the EU stops bullying Sri Lanka, which did a great job in fighting terrorism, and is now being punished for it". Presumably acts of genocide respected the victims human rights?!
Sri Lanka is increasingly becoming unstable with political moderates and rival 'nationalists' making waves despite intimidation. We must increase the economic pressure upon it to encourage further dissension.
TURN UP THE HEAT
Last weekend Act Now activists carried out another successful 'Day of Action' outside numerous GAP stores throughout the UK. A letter to the GAP board urging them to follow the EU's example by pulling out from Sri Lanka will be shortly sent from Act Now's Directors.
NEXT BOYCOTT PICKETS
On September 4th we shall be running a further 'Day of Action'. Anyone wishing to run a picket should advise Act Now ASAP so we can organise flyers. If you are on your own don't worry as we will have a 'special pack' for individuals to hand into their local stores http://gap.eu/stores/ so please contact us!
On August 21st (next Saturday) the Tamil Transnational Government are asking for Boycotters to picket M&S stores throughout London.
They have invited Act Now activists to attend at the following places:
Saturday, 21 August. 11 am - 4 pm
01. HARROW:
31 St. Anns Rd. HA1 1NB
02. EALING
69-79 The Broadway. W5 5JW
03. HOUNSLOW
153 High St. TW3 1QL
04. KINGSTON
26 Clarence St. KT1 1NU
05. CROYDON
114-126 North End. CR9 1SH
06. LEWISHAM
122-126 Lewisham High St. SE13 6JG
07. WOOLWICH
55-63 Powis St. SE18 6HZ
08. ILFORD
135 High Rd. IG1 1DE
09: COVENTRY
The Precinct. CV1 1DE
10: MILTON KEYNES
2 Sunset Walk. MK9 3PD
Please pick one of these sites to attend. If you have any of our general boycott flyers please take these along with you to hand out (we are uncertain as to whether any others will be provided?).
Take the opportunity to invite attendees to our GAP pickets on September 4th - If not running your own suggest the two Oxford Street stores from 12 noon.
WEBSITE REVAMPED!
Act Now's website has been revamped and updated and has a fresh new look! check it out on http://www.act-now.info/Site1/Home.html
For further information, please contact:
Tim Martin, Director, Act Now
Tel: +44(0)7817 504 227
Email: info.actnow@gmail.com
Site: www.act-now.info
Graham Williamson, Director, Act Now
Tel: +44(0)7970 455 445
Email: info.actnow@gmail.com
Site: www.act-now.info