THOUSANDS of anti-war demonstrators staged a noisy protest outside the Labour Party conference calling on Gordon Brown to end the 'catastrophic' conflict in Iraq and withdraw British troops.
Students, pensioners and peace activists joined a march through Manchester to deliver another anti-war message to the government.
Leaders of the Stop The War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament held up a giant banner which read 'troops out' at the head of the march, which organisers said was joined by at least 5,000 people.
Scores of police officers, some on horseback, were on duty as the protesters walked towards the conference centre.
A letter was handed in to a Labour Party official explaining that the demonstration was in protest at the government's foreign policy which organisers said merely followed that of the US administration.
The letter read: "We urge you to deliver on your commitment to withdraw all British troops from the illegal and catastrophic occupation of Iraq.
"We also urge you to recognise that the occupation of Afghanistan has involved Britain in an unwinnable and devastating war in a country where the population is clearly opposed to our presence."
Lindsey German, convener of the coalition which signed the letter, said: "Seven years after the war in Iraq a number of flash points have flared up in the Middle East, South Asia and now the Caucuses.
"Britain's role in the world has become dangerous and to criticise Russia for taking military action in Georgia is breathtakingly hypocritical."
Kate Hudson, chairwoman of CND, said: "We are here to tell the government that we want a foreign policy based on peace not war.
"We want our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and we are appalled at the prospect of the further spread of war.
"Most people around the world want peace but our government plans war policies. Change is needed."
Members of the Military Families Against The War whose relatives have been killed or injured in Iraq or Afghanistan were also at the head of the march.
It was the 21st national demonstration organised by the anti-war groups.
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Thousands stage anti-war protest
September 20, 2008
Protesters in Manchester Pictures: Julian Brown
Protesters in Manchester Pictures: Julian Brown
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Growler (20/09/2008 at 15:38)
dave pickup (20/09/2008 at 18:21)
The unpalatable truth, Manchester (20/09/2008 at 21:26)
"56 million people don't attend meeting of the same old unwashed in Manchester."
What a joke.
Grief Tourist, Trumpton (21/09/2008 at 00:04)
umpire 2, Salford M7 4HT (21/09/2008 at 09:16)
I reckon you no more than 1000, I watched as you went past me on Oxford Road.
A lot of noise etc., though you might have had more people at castlefields, those who did not want to walk, but, hey you've got to have that feeling you are being supported.
The Seeker, Eccles (21/09/2008 at 15:19)
PW, Manchester (21/09/2008 at 18:22)
Pakistan has itself declared war on terrorism. The organisations responsible don't care if the people they kill are Muslim or not.
Pakistan needs our help on the other side of the border, and that's why it's right that ours and other troops are there at the moment.
Rt Hon Dr Rev MC Spanner MP QC FCA FRICS JP OK (21/09/2008 at 20:00)
40,000 turned up in East Manchester to watch Robinho. I know which matters most to the people of our great City.
Kaze no Kae (22/09/2008 at 01:41)
Donna. Harpurhey (22/09/2008 at 07:55)
Bean B4, manchester (22/09/2008 at 08:46)
1. scruffy, smelly, idle neo-hippy types who wear rags, still call people 'man' and live a life of pot subsidised by me and assorted other tax payers. My message to them: Grow Up!
2. frustrated, ugly, half-witted, grey-haired old people who trot along for company. Again, these are mostly people on inflated teachers pensions of benefits. My message to them: Learn to knit!
3. gobby, cocky, self-opinionated students who think they know everything about everything. Once again, genenrally living on credit and handouts from parents. My message to them: Learn a bit of discipline!
If you go on protest marches, decide which category you fit into and think about staying at home next time. Nobody is interested in your views!
Big Blue CITY, The Arabian Knight, Sharif Azul Celeste. CITY., Manchester (22/09/2008 at 09:11)
Rt Hon Dr Rev MC Spanner MP QC FCA FRICS JP OK (22/09/2008 at 09:23)
Yeah right - I can see that from the banners.
The loony left that still populate these marches cry havoc if a Muslim country is attacked Iran, Iraq,Lebanon Palestine, Afghanistan but there is not a peep when Georgia was attacked. Not a lot to support the people of Darfur. Never a demo when it comes to the brutal regime in Zimbabwe. Nothing on July 7th 2005.
Don't try and kid me. "All oppressed people"
come.on.city (22/09/2008 at 09:38)
Bean4 is that a case of pot calling the kettle black?
come.on.city (22/09/2008 at 09:42)
The MEN has focused on the Iraq war, but there were people protesting about losing their jobs, the ruin of the NHS, rising debt, the media, the wars in Dafur and Georgia, poverty in the Uk etc
There were young, old, rich, poor all turning out.
At least these people who feel strongly about something got up off their backside and did something, rather than hiding behind a keyboard airing nasty little rants.
come.on.city (22/09/2008 at 09:44)
Calling themselves evidence gatherers, they were taking names and photos of near everyone who was there to legally and peacefully protest.
There is something wrong with that!
Big Blue CITY, The Arabian Knight, Sharif Azul Celeste. CITY., Manchester (22/09/2008 at 09:44)
Fran M (Permissum Populus Constituo) (22/09/2008 at 10:47)
As someone who is really anti-war, I have heard many of the celebrity types who are involved with the so called anti-war movement call for interventions around the world by Britain and the US.
In an echo of the 19th. century 'white man's burden' the western powers are urged to take action in Darfur, Kosovo, Bosnia and many other parts of the world.
Many comlain about the war in Iraq as being 'illegal' so we must assume that if the UN security council had given the war it's blessing, that would be OK then. However it would remain an immoral war.
The same people did not object to the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 although by their own definition it was an illegal war waged by NATO.
I think that most of the anti-war coalition would be in favour of so called 'humanitarian interventions' the sort of good wars that make them feel all fluffy and warm. However, whether it is a humanitarian intervention or a 'Not in my name' war it makes little difference to the people on the business end of the bombs and bullets.
Whilst the protesters may be well intentioned, I would be more convinced if they were against all wars and did not select which wars were good and which bad.
Bean B4, manchester (22/09/2008 at 11:38)
So the 'protest' was a hotch-potch of malcontents with no single focus other than moaning about the regime or the police or anythiung else that appears to infringe their rights - man.
Being seen at these silly events do not do any good whatsoever. You just look silly.
CoC, don't bother replying - I'm not interested in your stilted views on any topic.
BTW look at the picture, everyone in it clearly falls into my three categories.
come.on.city (22/09/2008 at 14:16)
No, I dont fit into your outdated stereotypes. I wasn't in the protest but was passing by bridgewater hall after a business meeting.
I clapped when a war veteran passed by, took a few pictures (which clearly show a whole host of people with differing views - some even for the war), and because of this I had my picture taken by the police and was asked what I was doing there!
The MEN has printed pictures of a section of the crowds. There were many nurses protesting against the governments NHS problems. Where do these fit into your Daily Mail-esque stereotypes?
come.on.city (22/09/2008 at 14:19)
There were pensioners also holding placards about Labours disgraceful running of pensions and fuel heating - are these malcontent moaners also? Or should they get a wash and get a job?
Or maybe you shouldn't believe everthing you read in newspapers.
Bean B4, manchester (22/09/2008 at 14:35)
No, I suspect that you hung around because you fancied being involved and were no doubt thrilled when you had your details taken by plod.
You seem to have the impression that people like me cannot have formed their own opinions but have to be spoon fed by the Daily Mail. Far from it. Life has informed my view of trouble causers.
I hope the police save all those details and use them wisely for the benefit of ordinary citizens.
BTW, if you don't want to get involved then next year, stay well clear of town during the opposition's annual conference - for that's whatthey will be by then.
Big Blue CITY, The Arabian Knight, Sharif Azul Celeste. CITY., Manchester (22/09/2008 at 15:00)
Rt Hon Dr Rev MC Spanner MP QC FCA FRICS JP OK (22/09/2008 at 15:45)
So are you saying
1) Thousands of people attended a "moan about anything rally" rather than an anti-war rally or;
2) The organisers of the anti-war rally got people there under false pretences and it was the usual Socialist Worker/Respect anarchic trot through town.
Either way more people turned up to see City hammer Portsmouth by a resounding six-nil so on that basis I would say people care more about Robinho and Jo than Iran and Afghansistan.
Bean B4, manchester (22/09/2008 at 16:01)
No doubt the silly trots were there, lazy idle good for nothing but chunner.