Sunday, February 25, 2007

Stop the War Demo

As I arrived in Trafalgar Square I sent a text to my mate Dave to ask if he was there yet (we might go for coffee rather than listen to speeches we'd both heard so many times before). He texted back - he hadn't left Hyde Park yet. I tell you what, I think the Stop the War demo was big. Maybe 100,000, although I worry about my estimate because it is the same as the StWC, a worthy organisation often weak on its arithmatic.

If the cats are united...Having only just arrived in time due to a bout of over sleeping, for which there is no excuse, I was a bit all over the place but still managed to spot fellow blogger Liam who posts on the demo here (and has spotted possibly the greatest ever banner, pictured), and a number of other friendly faces from round the country.

I hadn't been on one of these things for a while so was surprised by i) how quiet it was, ii) how big it was, iii) how sensible Permanent Revolution are, who are a split from ultra left delusionists Workers Power.

Oh, I almost forgot, there was a naked protester too. Although this one kept her bra and pants on thankfully, which means that technically she wasn't naked, but it's the tedious thought that counts. When these things were a bit more common I'd thought about making a banner saying "put your clothes on!" and racing after any of these people that dared show their faces (among other things) - next time...

Jolly good. Although I'm still concerned at the lack of discussion on Afghanistan it was worth going, worth getting up for and, whilst the political effectiveness of each individual march is minimal, the cumulative effect of keeping the anti-war movement on the streets does allow us to show that the concern over the criminal foreign policy of this government goes beyond the editorial room of the Independent, God bless them.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was a good day and yes a reasonable turn out. A great cross section of British society, including many linked causes. A few snaps over at 'The Coffee House', including one of a dear old lady, possibly the eldest marcher on the day;

www.environmentdebate.wordpress.com

:)

Louisefeminista said...

Sorry..... but I absolutely adore that banner and if I had seen it on the demo I would have been marching behind it as opposed to the CND banner I was behind and also ending up in the singin' and dancin' hippie section (I am still traumatised by the experience...)

Didn't spot the nearly naked woman. Though I do recall at some rainy demo in late 2001 can't remember where tho' there was a topless woman demonstrator.... Blimey, she's gonna be feeling a chill (I thought to myself..)

Jim Jepps said...

The banners great isn't it? Makes me want to do something similar for next time...

It weas cold which is why, I suspect, she kept a few bits on... bloody people!

Nice pics matt - although too large! - perhaps you could scale them down (to a min of 800 px wide pref. a bit less) so it's possible to see them without scrolling across)

Also nice report of demo here

I did take some pics but they left me a bit uninspired when i got home and looked through them.

Anonymous said...

Feel I should point to my pic of the Green Party banner, although I have to agree it isn't as good as the cat one...

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jim. The pics need no scrolling on my screen .... screen settings? Who knows; damned technology! :)

AN said...

Yes immeditaley after 9/11 there wa sone of those tedious SWP organised lkobbies of the Labour confercne in torential rain where there were a few wowmn who were not only wearing no clothes , but had painted themselves.

I am not sure what message it is supposed to send.

Jim Jepps said...

Hi Matt, don't know what's gong on just had another look and they are appropriate size, oh well - still good pics :)