[JNV Press Release] Press Release: Peace activist faces prison for remembering war dead

[Maya Anne Evans]

*IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

Press Release: "Peace activist faces prison for remembering war dead"

Contact Maya Anne Evans: 07980 748 555 or JNV 0845 458 9571

In the week of remembrance Sunday, peace activists Maya Anne Evans (27)
from St Leonards on Sea, convicted in 2005 for reading the names of
British soldiers killed in the Iraq war opposite Downing Street is now
facing prison for her remembrance ceremony when she attends Horseferry
Road Court 2pm Tuesday to explain why she is refusing to pay the £250
fine.

As the British Legion assemble this Sunday to remember the war dead,
Maya Anne Evans (1) may well be spending a week in prison for reading
the
names of Iraqi's and British soldiers killed since the invasion 2003
when she stood opposite the cenotaph two years ago. 

An unauthorised vigil will be held at 1pm outside the court on Tuesday,
and a remembrance ceremony will take place at 1.30pm where activists
will remember the 1.2 million Iraqi's and 171 British service people who
have died as a result of the war, according to the law this event is
classified illegal.

Maya Anne Evans says: "This Thursday will be the third anniversary of
the bombing of Fallujah where US troops with the support of the UK
bombed
the city using white phosphorus – a substance that burns down to the
bone – as a weapon. A reported 700 bodies were recovered from the
rumble, 550 were women and children. I feel it is important to protest
against this kind of thing happening again.

In my heart I can’t help feeling that paying the fine would be an
acceptance of my
“guilty” conviction. It's time to stand up and say we are unwilling to
accept what has happened in Iraq and unwilling to accept more war."

Fellow peace activist, Milan Rai also with Justice not Vengeance, whom
Evans was arrested with in 2005 served a prison earlier this year after
refusing to pay the fine for organising the unauthorised demonstration.

Rai said: "I could not co-operate with the erosion of civil liberties by
paying the fine, therefore I was imprisoned."

Contact Maya Anne Evans: 07980 748 555 or JNV 0845 458 9571
---
notes to editor

1. Maya Anne Evans has written a book 'Naming the Dead' about her
experiences of being an anti war activist. Available for £7 at
www.j-n-v.org

  
Maya Anne Evans     
07973 484 202       

Justice not Vengeance
0845 458 9571



   


  
Maya Anne Evans     
07973 484 202       

Justice not Vengeance
0845 458 9571