This followed another small vigil (up to 25 people) who had stood outsite parliament all day (see  http://uk.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=11810).

People began arriving opposite downing street at about 5.30pm where there were two pens made out of crash barriers waiting. Soon around 30 police arrived and ordered people to move into the pen area under threat of arrest for obstruction of the queens highway - a line they continued to enforce until it bacame apparent that there were just too many people to fit inside.

The mood of the crowd was contemplative. A speech from Bruce Kent stressed that we are all people of the same planet and that in war it is civillians who suffer most, often well beyond the official end of any war. That we must not enter into another spiral of violence and that what the people of the world need is more hospitals, more schools, more clean water provision. He also made the point (stressing that any journalists present should take note) that it is an absolute tragedy that the world does not have an international criminal court, but that this is because america have opposed such a structure of justice.

Part way through the police asked if the curent speaker could announce that there would soon be a controlled explosion on a vehicle in the Mall, so not to panic on hearing it.

There were other speakers from peace groups and individual contributions. At one point the crowd chanted 'Don't meet evil with evil' and 'No more victims'.

There was much discussion between people and many candles were lit. While the majority of people began to leave at around 7.15pm others stayed with different groups arriving.
There had been at least 3 tv crews present and a whole flock of photo journalists. The police too had their surveillance officers present taking pictures and videoing the people present at the vigil prompting several worried comments from those filmed.

Later in the evening bbc regional london news did not mention the vigil, although they did carry a small item about extreme muslim groups (about 10 people) protesting outside the Pakistan embassy. ITV regional london news did feature the vigil, but only footage from later in the evening when only around 15-20 people were present.

Another ARROW (tel 020 7607 2302) co-ordinated vigil opposite downing street is planned for next Tuesday at 6pm.

CND and other peace groups are also holding a vigil under the title 'Stand shoulder to shoulder for peace & justice. No more violence' this saturday 22nd at 2pm outside downing street - they are asking people to wear black and to not bring any banners or shout slogans (see www.cnduk.org)

I reckon that if they start bombing Afghanistan or start any military action that we should first hold a peace demo in Whitehall, then march to Oxford Street and blockade it. That is what we did in 1986 when the USA bombed Libya in response to a terrorist attack. A peaceful blockade of Oxford Street in the form of a sit down protest in the road will get the peace campaign coverage in the press and show that we will not stand for more violence.

There was a rally of 180 people against UK-US war on Afghanistan today in Portsmouth Guildhall Square - the largest demonstration since the anti-war demo on May Day 1999. It was a very good turn out, especially as it was organised by phone in a few days with no co-ordinating committee. Socialist Alliance, Southeast Hampshire Peace Council, CND and asylum seeker campaigners were joined by local people - passers-by, shoppers, skateboarding kids. The attendance and the general mood encouraged us to set up a meeting for Wednesday 26th Sept, at Southsea Community Centre, King St, at 8pm.

Oxford street blocade sounds like a good idea. You'd have to think carefully about the best time to do it without appearing to be causing trouble needlessly.

One comment - I imagine the police wouldn't let your march to oxford street, so it might be better to meet there. Then even if the police pen you in, you're already blockading.

Love and rage

...is there another demo tonight at downing st.?

I think the oxford st. thing is a really good idea, but how do we do it without sending the powers that be into hysterics and getting blocked in somewhere for hours again? They are obviously going to be looking at the site to check up on arrangements being made. But if we got everybody moving, we could have a big sit down and stop the whole of central london to show our solidarity against the war. I was hoping someone would suggest this cos i was too shy. It's all we can do...