PRESS RELEASE: 20th March, 13.45pm

Arrests Made as Traffic Chaos and Mass Protest brings Hereford to a standstill…the demonstration continues…

Peace protesters brought many roads around Herefordshire to a standstill today, as there were scenes of mass protest against the current war on Iraq, in the biggest demonstrations Hereford has ever seen. Approximately 200 demonstrators took peaceful civil disobedience against the war, disrupting “business as usual” and bringing the war home to the public and politicians. 5 arrests were made, for alleged minor public order offences.

On the day of action, over 100 of the campaigners were students from many schools in Herefordshire. However, Hereford VI Form College and Aylestone School, saw the biggest walkouts. The Women’s refuge did a walkout to join the demonstration, and reports suggest barely anyone turned up for college at the sixth from today.

The day included a mass ‘die in’ outside the army recruitment office and another in ‘High Town’, blockage of the busiest road in the city and much noise and colour on a march that still continues around the city. Peace campaigners were shocked and alarmed by police tactics, including police brutality against children. Indeed, one witness explained how she observed one police officer declare, “Don’t be afraid to use force, even if they are children!”

One peace campaigner, Joss Garman, said, “Peaceful, well focused and widespread nuisance, even if it irritates other members of the public, forces the issue to the front of people’s minds, and ensures that no-one can contemplate the war, without also contemplating the opposition to the war. The peace movement will fail unless we stage a political drama commensurate with the scale of the threat.”

The day of action was called by Hereford Students Against War and Herefordshire Anarchist group. Many of those present today will attend the huge demos in London and at RAF Fairford this Saturday.

For interviews call:

Joss Garman, 07815 004 578

Photos available soon.

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