At least 10,000 protest against Britain in Iraq, Afghanistan

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by Phil Hazlewood
2 hours, 59 minutes ago

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - At least 10,000 people marched against British policy towards Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel in Manchester, on the eve of the governing Labour Party's annual conference.

In what was billed by organisers as the largest lobby of a political party in Britain, the protesters called for an immediate British pull-out from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as more support for the Palestinians in their conflict with Israel.

At the front of the march was Lauren Booth, the sister of Cherie Blair, wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as maverick lawmaker George Galloway, whom Labour ousted over his harsh criticism of the war.

The protesters -- many waving "Time to Go" placards urging an immediate troop withdrawal -- also included contingents from Britain's largest public sector union Unison, demonstrating at job cuts in the country's health service.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060923/ts_afp/britainpoliticslabourprotest_060923162009

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1. BBC says police estimate 20,000 marched..n/t