On Saturday, September 28th, possibly the largest demonstration ever seen against the war took place in London. Organisations (and this may be an overestimation) say that almost 400,000 people took part. The police (who always underestimate) say figures were no higher than 150,000. It was, in any case, a huge demonstration, and people participated from all parts of the country (and even from abroad).
While my two mates and me were travelling down the 150km from Leicester to London, we noticed loads of buses all going to the demo. At the demo itself, many groups had gathered. The leftist Stop The War Coalition, the CND, and the Islamic Association of Britain. The latter's intention, however, was not only to demonstrate against the war in Iraq, but also to support freedom in Palestine.
I saw anarchists, anarcho-syndicalists, all different types of Marxists, Moslems, Christians, pacifists, environmentalists, prisoners, and red, black and Palestinian flags etc. However, I didn't notice one Labour Party flag there.
Myself and other members of AF joined the anti-capitalist bloc and DAAWN (Direct Action Against The War Now!) We distributed over 1000 leaflets calling for an end to the war can only come about by through direct action, and that we stood for No War But The Class War! We are against all dictators! - Saddam, Bush and Blair!!
As usual, we were offered the largest "police protection". However, there were no street battles with police, and no windows were smashed (and nothing for the papers to complain about).
A young journalist from the BBC or ITV later asked Tony Blair: "What do you have to say to those marching against the war today?." Not surprisingly, 'our' Prime-Minister chose to completely ignore the still naïve journalist.
Mass Murderers
Let us not forget that over 500,000 children have died in Iraq, as a direct result of sanctions imposed by Bush, Blair, and other politicians in the US, Britain and other countries. How many children will die during and after the next imperialist war?
The fact that most people here are against the war, and the fact that over 300,000 people marched through the streets of London to demonstrate publically against the war means nothing to them. The fact that Iraq is in an oil region situated in an area of strategic importance, will always be their overriding concern.
We say again: Only massive direct action can halt the war!
Report by a member of Leicester AF (translated from the original Esperanto).
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