Report from the website of the Nottingham Evening Post
1,000-PLUS JOIN PROTEST AGAINST WAR
More than 1,000 men, women and children marched through the streets of Nottingham on Saturday in a peaceful city centre demonstration against possible war with Iraq. Tara de Cozar was there to gauge the feelings of some of those taking part
The usual Saturday lunchtime traffic jam was momentarily absent from Mansfield Road. Tooting horns and battles for parking spaces were replaced by the sound of drums, whistles, cowbells and chanting.
It came from, according to organisers, around 1,500 protesters who joined a march for peace from the Forest recreation ground to the Old Market Square.
From students to pensioners, representatives from all walks of life were present, making their voices heard and opinions known.
Members of Derby and Leicester anti-war groups marched alongside people from Notts.
Dotted long the route were colourful placards and banners, ranging from the simple `Stop The War' message to the inventive `Drinkers for Peace say Beer Not Bombs' and the non-alcoholic `Make Tea Not War'.
Tony Arnold, 45, from Bramcote, was joined on the march by his nine-year-old son, Harry, who had made his own Simpsons-themed placard to express his feelings about possible war against Iraq.
The slogan `Bart Not Bombs, Barney Not Bush' summed up his views.
"I don't think we should go to war," he said.
"It's wrong."
Dad Tony agreed, saying: "I'm here to show my support for peace, as I did at the march in London last month.
"That was the first time I've been on a march in twenty years, but I think it's important that the public make their feelings known.
"I think the London march did have an effect. Tony Blair is on the defensive now. He knows how people feel."
Robert Cross, 40, from Newark, took his four-year-old daughter, Zoe, along to the march. She carried her own child-sized `Stop The War' placard.
He said: "We're marching today to show our support and our feeling that a war against Iraq is pointless."
Coun Ali Asghar also joined the protesters.
He said: "This war is totally illegal, unjust and unnecessary.
"I think that war with Iraq is a criminal act. Bush should be tried for war crimes for his part in the killing of thousands in Afghanistan and Iraq, which has been going on for years.
"We are spending millions on the killing of innocent people when, in this country, one in five children and one in three pensioners live below the poverty line - to me it's morally wrong. "It's a human issue that we should all get involved in."
As the marchers made their way to the city centre, they received shouts of encouragement from the public.
Wheelchair-bound Carla Hanes, 54, from Aspley, offered her support.
"I can't march myself, but I'm glad that these people are making their voices heard on my behalf," she said. "I think war against Iraq would be morally wrong, innocent people would die. I hope this makes a difference."
As the march snaked into Market Square, Saturday shoppers were greeted with cries of "One, two, three, four, we don't want this racist war" and "What do we want? Stop the war. When do we want it? Now."
Speakers from the Nottingham Stop The War Coalition and the Socialist Alliance addressed the rally, along with Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson.
Mr Simpson said: "I think that in Nottingham we have always shown a willingness of people coming forward and putting their lives on the line when a war has been unavoidable.
"And that level of commitment and courage is also important in the case of a war that should not be fought.
"If a war does take place, in the tragedy that follows it will be the people of the UK that will feel the consequences.
"The US will expect British troops to be left to clear up their mess in the countries they will have devastated. It will be the lives of service people from Nottingham and the UK which will be put at risk in the aftermath."
And as the speakers rallied the crowds, some made their protest known in more unusual ways.
A street theatre group entertained the crowds, wearing masks of Tony Blair and George W. Bush and carrying an inflatable globe, symbolising the world in chains.
Spokesperson Jeannie Thompson, 52, from Arnold, said: "It's a way of livening up the protest, making it a bit more colourful, a bit different from just marching.
"We wanted to be more visual and grab people's attention to get our message across, and to bring a bit of fun and festivity to the event.
"The arts have always been a strong political tool, and we are just building on that."
Silent protest of the women in black
Saturday's protest fell on International Women's Day and saw the launch of a new women's anti-war group in the city - Women In Black.
An international network, it was started in Israel in 1988 by women protesting against Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.
It is a non-violent and non-aggressive movement, making itself evident in silent vigils or "bearing witness" to the atrocities of conflict. Members wear black as a symbol of sorrow for all victims of war and for the destruction of people, nature and lives.
The women's silence represents their view that words can't express the anguish and despair they feel.
The group held a vigil outside the Army offices at the Victoria Centre and then joined the protest march as it came down Mansfield Road.
Member Rachel Bowles said: "Hopefully this group will be a venue for women who maybe prefer a more gentle form of protest.
"Some people are against the war but it could be that they don't feel comfortable, or are not able to protest at a march.
"This group offers an alternative form of protest."
For more information on this campaign see Veggies Against The War
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