Stop The War - March 18-19

[alkmyst]

Originally posted in reply to Ian Neal's posting under 'Campaigning':

So, the Blair Government has permitted another 'Stop the War' on March 18-19. Permitting the march to take place is necessary to maintaining the facade of an ersatz democracy.

At least one million people protested against UK participation in the invasion of Iraq ........ the media reported that there were maybe 50,000 people on parade.

Tony Blair took absolutely no notice whatsoever and sent the British troops into an illegal was. Why didn't Tony take any notice? Mainly because the protest was no more than a 'token gesture'.

OK, so a million people hit the streets in London alone and were joined by many millions more in towns and cities around the world .......... but it was still no more than a 'token protest'!

Protest marches that take place at the weekend are of minimal consequence. Police and other emergency service personnel benefit from a few hours of overtime, the train, bus and coach companies make a few extra bucks 'cos a million people want to be in London, food vendors do very well but in terms of overall effect, the impact on Goverment is zip .... zilch...... nada (for Government read Tony Blair - the Cabinet is inconsequential). Everybody has a great day and feels good that they made the effort to join the march .......but in the overall scheme of things? It matters not a jot!

So how do we change this? Whether 10,000, 100,000 or one million people turn up to protest in March (by this time the attack on Iran will be imminent!), they need to be prepared to stay there ....... until Tony takes real notice. Go with backpacks loaded with sandwiches, snacks, fruit and water ......... as much as you can carry. Be prepared to share what you have with your fellow marchers but be ready to stay for two, three, .....seven ..... ten days and then some. Stay in London for however long it takes. Imagine this scenario repeated across the world? Do you think that it might get some attention?

Alternatively? Have a nice day out in London ........ then go home and watch the NeoCon psychopaths and puppet Tony launch another illegal war ........ in your name and in the name of feedom and democracy.

Two million people took to the streets of Madrid after the bombings on March 11, 2004. An estimated ten million took to the streets across Spain. The goverment was defeated in the general election which followed shortly afterwards and Spanish troops were subsequently removed from the coalition of the (un)willing.

Peaceful protest can make a difference and the difference will be directly proportional to the determination of the people to make their voices heard.

Please also bear in mind that due to the determination of Tony Blair to continue with his quest to introduce more and more restrictive legislation, this may be one of the last chances that the British public has to express the strength of public opinion via the medium of peaceful protest.

Al K Myst

[xmasdale]

Sounds like a good idea to me! The model should be the CIA sponsored Orange Revolution in Ukraine, where people actually camped out for days in the snow - that takes guts! The Tienanmen Square protests in China are another model to inspire us, and would Tony be prepared to send tanks into Trafalgar Square or Hyde Park to disperse us?

If folk from outside London are prepared to do that, those of us who live in London can keep you supplied with food, blankets, warm drinks etc. While this is going on we can be informing people about 911, 7/7 in larger numbers than we ever have before.

Let's spread the idea.

Noel

[alkmyst]

Noel,

The feedback that I have received since first posting this proposal has been extremely encouraging.

Your comparisons with the Orange Revolution in Ukraine & Tienanmen Square are absolutely 'spot-on'. The key to this is to spared the word as much as possible so that people arrive in London prepared for the 'long haul'.

I also agree that this event would also provide the opportunity to spread the word on 9/11 & 7/7. Perhaps arrange for screenings of Loose Change 2 or whatever DVD's are appropriate to introduce the subject to those who have yet to explore beyond the official version of events.

I am doing what I can to distribute the message throughout the 'Stop the War' Coalition.

Al K Myst