HANDS OFF THE PEOPLE OF IRAN
PO Box 54631, London N16 8YE
W: www.hopoi.org E: office@hopoi.info

CONTACT: MARK FISCHER ON 07950 416 922
Immediate release

MAJOR UK UNION TAKES STAND AGAINST WAR ON IRAN
Delegates to the May 21-23 conference of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) voted overwhelmingly to affiliate to Hands Off the People of Iran. The PCS is the first national union to support Hopi, which fights:
Against imperialist war on Iran
For the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of US/UK troops from Iraq and all the Gulf region
Against any imperialist intervention. The immediate and unconditional end to sanctions on Iran.
Against the theocratic regime! For solidarity with the working class, women’s and students’ movements against the theocratic regime.
Yassamine Mather, member of the Hopi Steering Committee and Iranian exile, said:
“This is important step forward for Hopi could not be more timely, coming as it does when leaked news over the weekend suggests that Bush has been secretly briefing key US senators on plans to launch airstrikes against Iran with the next two months.
When a major union of the size and reputation of PCS takes such an explicity stand against imperialist sabre-rattling, a powerful message is sent out to the war-mongerers”.
The motion supporting Hopi was opposed by just 50 or so of the 1,200 delegates, although it was opposed by leading PCS member, Jon Gamble. Writing in the Morning Star (May 27), he denounced the “con trick” played on the conference and charged that by “raising the issue of the nature of the islamic regime in Iran” Hopi thus “seeks to split this movement on sectarian lines” and “provides a left cover for liberal apologists for war”.
In a statement released on its website (reproduced below), Hopi firmly rejected these charges as “lies and slander” and offered to debate opponents such as John Gamble to clarify its real politics.
ENDS