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| Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 19, 2001 |
15,000 Anti-War Protesters March in London |
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Thousands of demonstrators marched through central London to protest against the war in Afghanistan, saying that the apparent rout of the Taliban did not justify the U.S.-led military action.
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Thousands of demonstrators marched through central London to protest against the war in Afghanistan, saying that the apparent rout of the Taliban did not justify the U.S.-led military action.
Police estimated that 15,000 people had marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square for the event although organizers, Stop the War Coalition, put numbers at 50,000.
Many protesters waved placards reading "Stop the War" and "Not in My Name" and a number of British Muslims held prayers for peace on mats placed on the ground.
Stop the War Committee member Mike Marqusee said he was delighted with the "very diverse" turnout.
"We are hoping to send out a clear message that Tony Blair does not speak for Britain and we hope that message carries across Britain and across the world," he said.
"We believe that this march reflects both the scale and diversity of anti-war opinion in this country.
"Our campaign will not end until the war ends and Britain and the U.S. stop the bombing."
Organizer Lindsey German said the bombing campaign had done nothing to tackle international terrorism.
"Meanwhile terrorism continues and will continue because the real roots of terrorism have not been dealt with and are not being dealt with in this war."
Similar marches took place in London, Glasgow and other cities in Britain last month.
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