------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Feb. 27, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
2 MILLION IN LONDON: LEADERS SAY NEXT STEP IS RESISTANCE By Jack A. Smith London An estimated 2 million people took part in London's Stop the War march and rally Feb. 15--the largest demonstration of any kind in British history. Prime Minister Tony Blair sought to diminish the significance of the extraordinary outpouring. But the governing Labor Party which he leads is sharply split on the issue of following the United States into a preemptive war of aggression against Iraq. The historic protest was organized by the Stop the War Coalition, composed of some 450 left, liberal, labor and peace organizations. It was co-sponsored by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Muslim Association of Britain. Organizers had expected, at most, a million. But as some 1,500 out-of- town charter buses began to arrive at the two main assembly points, joined by many hundreds of thousands of Londoners, it was clear this figure was low. The multitudes, crammed shoulder-to-shoulder across the broad avenues and sidewalks of Bloomsbury in the north and the Victoria Embankment in the south, began marching shortly after noon. The two prongs of the march joined at Piccadilly Circus to form ranks some 150 abreast. It took more than six hours for the last of the throng to make their way three-and-a-half miles to Hyde Park for a huge rally. Signs included: "Stop the war," "Don't atack Iraq" and "Freedom for Palestine." Dozens of left organizations marched with red flags. The crowd was multinational, young to old, working class to middle class. Many families with young children were evident. Rally speakers included Lindsey German, a leader of the Stop the War Coalition; Alan Simpson, Labor Member of Parliament; Ken Livingstone, London's mayor; the Rev. Jesse Jackson from the U.S.; Ms. Dynamite, a popular young rap singer; playwright Harold Pinter and a variety of labor and political figures. Speaking for the coalition, German said that if Blair supports a U.S. invasion, "We want people to walk out of their offices, strike, sit down, occupy buildings, demonstrate, take direct action and do whatever they think fit the moment war starts. We want to completely close down Whitehall and prevent the Ministry of Defense going to work." Pinter began his short talk dramatically: "The U.S. is a monster out of control!" to which it seemed more than a million voices cheered in unison. Mayor Livingstone drew a multitude of cheers when he declared, "The British people will not tolerate being used to prop up the most corrupt and racist American administration in over 80 years." Many stated that without Blair's support it would be much more difficult for President George W. Bush to attack Iraq. The coalition and its co- sponsors repeatedly made it clear that they must continue to oppose the war even if the United Nations eventually is "bribed or bullied" into line, that the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories and "Freedom for Palestine" was essential for genuine peace in the region and that the unity of all anti-war forces, from mainstream and liberal to left and socialist, was essential. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe wwnews- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
