Wednesday 12 September 2012

Visit London - this Saturday

Every Saturday there are 'events' in London, capital city of the UK, but this Saturday, 15th September 2012, there are two that I plan to attend.

First there is the March for a Secular Europe.  I went last year and this year we are hoping that even more people will attend.  If you have never been on a protest march then I can only recommend the experience.  London is accustomed to them and there is little fuss.  This one in particular will be good natured, and may be attended by religious and non-religious people alike.  At the end of the march there will be a rally, with a number of great speakers, including:
  • Robin Ince, Comedian and BHA Distinguished Supporter
  • Chris French, Skeptic and Professor of Psychology, Goldsmiths University
  • Warren Ellis, Writer and BHA Distinguished Supporter
  • Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Campaigner
  • Joan Smith, Journalist
  • Mejindarpal Kaur, Legal Director, United Sikhs 
  • Richard Norman, Philosopher
  • Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs, British Humanist Association
  • Terry Sanderson, President, National Secular Society
  • Antony Lempert, Secular Medical Forum Chair
  • Adam Knowles, Gay And Lesbian Humanist Association
  • Nahla Mahmood, Council of ex-Muslims of Britain and One law for All
  • Sue Cox, Survivors Voice Europe
  • Maurizio Turco MP, Italian Radicals
See more details here.  No tickets needed - just turn up in your thousands.

Then in the evening, there is the Big 3rd Birthday Do, in Conway Hall.  This has been organised by The Pod Delusion, which is surely one of the best secular and skeptical podcasts around.  Speakers include:
  • Kate Russell from BBC Click
  • Young Atheist Handbook Author Alom Shaha – not talking about his book, but performing some MAGIC.
  • Guardian Blogger Martin Robbins on Why The Daily Mail Is Evil!
  • Pod Delusion regular Drew Rae offering us some Risk Assessment for the Apocalypse!
  • ‘Skeptic’ Magazine editor Deborah Hyde on the Psychology of the Supernatural!
  • and fire scientist Claire Benson – who hopefully won’t be burning down Conway Hall!
  • …with MORE to be announced! 
This promises to be an entertaining day.  Anyone else coming?  You could still get tickets when I last checked.

Incidentally, Saturday 22nd should be just as good. The National Secular Society's conference keynote speaker is Richard Dawkins.

3 comments:

Paul Baird said...

Yay, I'm going to both - I shall wear a carnation in my buttonhole so you can recognise me and claim your £5.

Plasma Engineer said...

I'll look out for you Paul. I'll probably wear my non-believers giving aid red tee shirt.

Unknown said...

It's kinda a long bike ride for me, but it sounds like fun. It seems that there is always a protest somewhere in
Northern California (Save The Redwoods..the river...the ocean, OCWS, anti this anti that you get the picture...) and the "funny thing" is that there is always music, drumming, the issues of course, cute girls, sun, food-n-stuff... Have fun if ya go,

Kriss