London/Thousands expected at anti-war demo

[cal04]

Tens of thousands of people are expected to join another anti-war demonstration in London, sending a message to the Government on the eve of the Labour Party conference that British troops should be pulled out of Iraq. Families of soldiers killed in Iraq will join the protest, which will include a march and a rally at Hyde Park. The number of protesters will be boosted by the violent events in Iraq over the past few days, organisers of the event predicted.

The Stop The War Coalition said the clashes involving British troops in Basra highlighted the urgent need to bring the "occupation" to an end. The demonstration, the 12th to be held by the Coalition over the past few years, will begin outside the Houses of Parliament, where protests have been banned under new laws. The Coalition said it wanted to challenge the "stupidity" of the legislation as well as show that British people remained opposed to this country's continued involvement in Iraq.

Convenor Lindsey German said: "The Lib Dems have this week called for our withdrawal, Anglican bishops have added their voice to this demand and the Stop the War Coalition have received support for this demonstration from musicians, artists, academics, theatre and film personalities, business, religious and trade union leaders.

"Enough is enough. It is now time, once again, for the British people to step forward into the streets and insist that this time we will not be ignored." Veteran peace activist, Tony Benn, said that most people in the UK were now against Britain's involvement in Iraq and believed that the war was illegal. "This is no longer a minority view and the purpose of the march is to encourage other people to give us support," he said.

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1987032005

[despairing optimist]

1. Will there be a two-way satellite hookup to DC tomorrow?

That would send a powerful message.

[Greeby]

2. OK, I'm gonna get brutal here

This is a government that stopped caring what it's people think ages ago. You can march and shout and scream and demand all you want. But unless Labour MPs throw Blair out at the Party Conference next week, all this won't amount to shit.

Sorry, but it has to be said :shrug:

[T_i_B]

3. The numbers back in 2003 were impressive

but I doubt that there will numbers of protesters today will be up there. I suspect that the media will be able to avoid reporting too much about this demo.

[LivingInTheBubble]

4. I was one of the people in 2003

Since then it has become crystal clear that it doesnt matter a jot what we think, unfortunately peaceful protesting has done nothing. Will it take riots like the poll tax ones to change the governments immoral stances?

The saddest thing is people care much more about their tax bill rising than invading, occupying and killing a foreign country.