Up to 100,000 expected at London Iraq protest

[tinnypriv]

Up to 100,000 expected at London Iraq protest
Guardian/PA, 25 September 2003

Tens of thousands of people are expected to join a protest calling for the withdrawal of British and US troops from Iraq and the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories in London this weekend.
Organisers today predicted a huge turnout because of mounting public anger over government "lies" about the war in Iraq.

That view has been backed by a new poll showing that Tony Blair's political reputation has been seriously damaged by the Hutton inquiry.

The march, which will be from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, is advertised as a "protest against the occupation in Iraq and for freedom in Palestine", and will be the fifth such demonstration this year.

...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4761234-111289,00.html

[Cha]

1. I remember when they had over a Million wasn't it? ON Feb.15,

2003! Before the attack! This is much worse..now we know what we didn't want to happen has already come true.

[tinnypriv]

2. Yeah I was there

That was closer to 2 million rather than 1. :)

Bear in mind that Feb 15 had constant TV lead-in for over a week.

Nobody would even know this one was happening if they weren't connected to the peace movement in some way. I think over 100,000 is a great turnout, considering the circumstances. I expect there will be closer to 400,000 though (gut feeling).

[zanana]

3. It's time to say "thanks" to the Brits.

Without the British protesting and demanding answers, the U.S.would still have a very sheepish mentality. Blair didn't get away with the outrageous acts that Bush got away with; our British friends saw to that. So, from the bottom of my heart, "Thank you, thank you, thank you"!

[Cha]

4. I couldn't exactly remember the number...I knew it was way high...

That's right .."closer to 2 Million"! Thanks for being there!

I was in NYC that day and it was close to a Million no matter what the NYT said! :-)

I'll never forget that day as long as I live! I hope the protest at the NYC repug convention can be nearly as intense! :kick:

And I'm sure your "guy feeling" is right! Good Luck!

[tinnypriv]

5. Thanks to you too

Knowing it was sweeping the world just fired everyone up even more. We heard about Australia first and knew we had to beat them :D

Once I got back first thing I did was check out how it went in NYC. Keeping you in those "zones" was total BS, but you still got a great turnout anyway!

The most amazing thing about the day was getting updates on my cell/mobile via some friends watching Sky "Murdoch" News. They had a helicopter and kept revising the numbers up, and up, and up, and up....

That day Blair, Bush and the media couldn't ignore or control the story. It got them to shut the hell up for at least one day.

I don't think anyone who was there will ever forget being so close to stopping a war before it even started. Next time they won't even get chance to put out a dossier before the streets are flooded ;-)

[Cha]

11. Yeah...they cooked their gooses but good...too bad all those

People in Iraq didn't stand a chance! :-(

[kskiska]

6. I wish they'd wait

till the Chimpster is there for his visit to Buckingham Palace.

[tinnypriv]

7. Don't worry, he'll get his

"It has just been announced officially that President George Bush is to make a state visit to Britain for two days in November. This will shock and appal the millions of people in this country who opposed his criminal war on Iraq and who regard his policies on a vast range of issues as dangerous for peace and stability in the world - whether it be his policies on the world economy, which keep hundreds of millions of people in abject poverty; or his massive expansion of arms expenditure, including the development of the so-called Star Wars technology; or his refusal to join other nations in any agreements which aim to protect the environment; or the appalling violation of human rights in Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere; or his continuing support for Israel's brutal and illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Leading the condemnation, former Cabinet Minster Tony Benn believes the people of Britain will be outraged by this news. "President Bush will not be welcome in Britain," said Mr Benn. "His war has killed thousands of people and left Iraq in chaos and now Iraq's assets are to be sold off on the world market. "I hope that when he comes public opinion will express itself against those policies again."

The Stop The War Coalition will organise huge protests against Bush's presence on British soil. Stop The War spokesman, John Rees says, "The Blair government is adding insult to injury by extending this invitation to George Bush. The majority of people in this country believe there was no justification for this war with Iraq but now their taxes will pay for the warmonger-in-chief to be treated like some sort of British war hero. We will mobilise protests which I believe have the potential to rival our largest previous protests."

The latest opinion poll showed that only 38 per cent of people support Tony Blair's war on Iraq. It is an insult to the majority who insist that this war was illegal and immoral that Tony Blair has invited his fellow war monger to be "honoured" by a state visit. Clearly, everyone who is outraged by Tony Blair's arrogance should join the demonstration this Saturday 27 September"

Sent today to Stop The War regional organisers. :evilgrin:

Poor Bush :nopity:

[Cha]

9. Whoo Hhooo!!

Can't wait for the Anti-bush reception! }(

[roguevalley]

8. Go London! I'm never there when there are events to go and share in.

I do remember standing on the steps of the church across the street
from the South African Embassy and watching the nightly riot against
apartheid. That was amazing. Cities can rock sometimes. :) Literally.

[Cha]

10. New York City rocked on Feb. 15, 2003! I have a video of

the event put on by UnitedforPeaceandJustice, too! Harry Belafonte and the gang! :)

[dArKeR]

12. I'll do whatever I can to help you guys get a 1,000,000 for the Bush visit