Stop the War
By Ilya Gridneff
Stop the war. On a cold Sunday in London that was the only message more than sixty thousand protestors would warm to. The protestors were calling for immediate peace in response to US led military actions in Afghanistan.
The protest was the second national action against the war on terrorism and claimed by veteran journalist and filmmaker John Pilger, one of the largest public gatherings in London since the 1970’s.
Starting from speakers corner in Hyde Park at midday, the mass moved through the city’s streets; waving placards, chanting and distributing leaflets. By 3pm most were still flowing into Trafalgar Square. At one point the protest stretched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.
The crowd size was debatable. Organisers claim 100000, police said 15000. The BBC said 50000. Most likely it was 60000.
But one thing agreed and an aspect mentioned by several speakers was the crowd’s diversity. Protesters came by coach- from across the UK with Essex represented through members of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Voicing their concern also were Christians, Muslims, Kurds, Trade Unionists, Socialists, War Veterans, Environmentalists, Scientists and Mothers.
Defiant Labor PMs: Paul Marsden and Jeremy Corbyn berated their parties for coalition with the United States.
Marsden said: “We are sending a powerful message out to Whitehall and the Whitehouse, We don’t want this war. There are alternatives to bombing and we need to take them.”
One protestor, John Peterson from Brentwood, Essex said: “it is important to get out and make a stance. People are dying and for reasons President Bush benefits from. US forces are involved in similar sorts of terrorism all the time. South America, Vietnam even Cambodia and now we see it continue in Afghanistan.
“They keep saying they have proof against Bin Laden, I haven’t seen any, I will believe it when I see it.”
Other speakers included retired Labour MP, Tony Benn, author and journalist George Monibot and Michael Letwin.
Representing, New York City Labor Against the War, a coalition of trades unionists from 'ground zero' opposed to the war being made in their name, Letwin spoke of Americans against the war and the difficulty they have in publicising such sentiments.
Other speakers called for the United Nations to be involved and sited Osama Bin Laden being offered for legal prosecution.
The march was organized by the Stop the War Coalition. They have been supported by a wide range of peace and political organisations, community groups, trades unions and individuals.
Spokesmen for Stop the War Coalition Mike Marqusee said: "We believe that this march reflects both the scale and diversity of anti-war opinion in this country.
“Our campaign will not end until the war ends and Britain and the US stop the bombing."