Stop the War Demo. posted by Richard Seymour

Fantastic. Socialist Worker already has a report of the rally, with some nice highlights, which is as well because I didn't hang around for the speeches, albeit I think I heard Ken Livingstone say among other things, that we should solidarity with the progressive Latin American countries now uniting against US imperialism. Here's a quick snippet:

"A journalist asked me why this demonstration seemed to have a spring in its step," said George Galloway, Respect MP for Bethnal Green & Bow.

"I told him it's because people across this country can sense that justice is coming for the war criminal Tony Blair."

Galloway urged people to punish Blair at the local elections on 4 May – a link also drawn by Craig Murray, the human rights campaigner and former British ambassador to Uzbekistan.

"We need British troops out of Iraq – and Tony Blair out of Downing Street," he said.

Opposing any threat of a military attack on Iran was another key element of the demonstration.

Elaheh Rostami Povey from Action Iran condemned the mainstream media for parroting Pentagon propaganda and called for people to campaign against any attacks or sanctions directed against the country by the US administration.

One highlight of the rally was the appearance of Sheik Zagani, foreign affairs spokesperson for Moqtada al-Sadr, the radical Iraqi political leader and Shia cleric.

He spoke of his happiness to see so many British people demonstrating against the occupation of Iraq.

And he made a special point of acknowledging the presence of Military Families Against the War on the platform.

"I send condolences in the name of most Iraqi people to the families of soldiers who have lost their lives in this unjust war," he said.

"Iraqi people have no hatred against British people. This war is harming both people.

"Do not get tired of demonstrating and protesting. We are the voice of humanity, and we have to continue fighting."

SW says 100,000 people attended, which sounds like an underestimate to me, but certainly closer to the mark than the predictable police estimate of 15,000. With any luck, a few minutes of footage I shot from the demo should be live soon, and I can provide a link. However, here are some pictures.

Parliament Square, where it kicked off. It was freezing at this point, and rather miserably cloudy. But, as you will see, the demo already stretched back into Millbank past Horseferry Road at this point. The STWC route imaged below was supposed to begin just a little bit past Parliament Square, but the whole road was packed.

Up Victoria Street, where I got some footage of a large group of Muslim girls from Birmingham - sadly, I did not film them as they collectively crouched down in the street, waited, and then with an enthusiastic yell leapt off in a great dash forward, waving placards and chanting.

Up Picadilly. I'm afraid this is the best I got which pissed me off as this steep rise is usually excellent for getting dramatic, panoramic views of a demonstration.

And into Trafalgar Square. As you can see it has brightened up a bit, and warmed up considerably as well. Notice, folks, that it never rains on a Stop the War demo.

"I'd like to mention the magnificent work being done by Lenin's Tomb", Mr Galloway tells a reporter for popular radio station, Alpha FM.

I did actually meet and briefly shake hands with George before he went off to speak. I got a free copy of his pamphlet "Target Iran" for my trouble.



Almost 4pm, the speeches are well underway, the square is packed as are the surrounding streets, and the marchers are still pouring into the square.

Like I say, a hung around a bit, met quite a few people it was a privilege to disappoint (including the cartoonist Tim Sanders and Owen from The Measures Taken), and then took off.

Meanwhile, I hear the Paris demo against the new labour laws and the war was massive. 1 million people are reported to have come out across France. Chirac's government is fucked, especially if that many people decide to come out on a work day, or several in a row perhaps. Reports from the Baghdad and Basra protests are welcome.