Global Justice in Bradford

Yesterday, as I got off the bus after school, I heard something going on in Centenary Square.

Sign on the left says "Stop the Drone Attacks in Pakistan"

Peaceful protest against drone attacks in Pakistan.  Apparently Bradford has been a leader in action on several global issues.  I stayed for a few minutes.  I think our MP was speaking.  What struck me was that this was a home issue.  And since Bradford is now my home, what Bradford cares about is now what I need to care about.  98% of my students are Pakistani.  I have a few Slovakian and Latvian students in my classes (the new Slovakian boy that came to class yesterday was quite defensive - I haven't been given much about his background), one or two that are black, but otherwise my students predominantly South Asians and practice Islam.  

"Civilian casualties of drone strikes are estimated as high as a third to one half of all victims. Operated by remote control from thousands of miles away, these pilotless killing machines are fuelling anger and terrorism around the world." -- Dave Webb, Chairman of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Yvonne Ridley, who was captured and imprisoned by the Taliban in Afghanistan weeks after the 9/11 attacks, told the crowd that there is a correlation between suicide bombings and the drone attacks issued by the US government.

I also learned that Obama doubled the drone attacks when he assumed Presidential office in 2009.

Article from Bradford's local newspaper, The Telegraph and Argus:

Death Count of terrorist militants and civilians