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World Wide Anti-War Protests Looming
(Jason Hopps, Reuters, January 14, 2003)
In a series of rallies organisers hope will dwarf the widespread anti-nuclear marches of the 1980s, peace activists are planning to fill cities across Europe and the United States under a "Don't attack Iraq" banner. . . . D-Day for the peace movement in Europe will be February 15, when simultaneous protests in several capitals are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of marchers. . . . "February 15th is an international day of action...I think we could see record numbers at the biggest anti-war demonstration London has ever seen," said Andrew Burgin, spokesman for Britain's Stop the War Coalition. . . . On that day, big protests are also planned for Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Madrid and the Swiss capital Berne. . . . In France, some 40 groups, including unions, anti-racist organisations and the Communist and Green political parties, are planning a nationwide peace protest on January 18 timed to coincide with the anniversary of the start of the 1991 Gulf War. . . . In the United States, organisers expect tens of thousands of people at a January 18 protest in Washington, the third large-scale demonstration in the U.S. capital since October. . . . "An attack on Iraq has been inevitable for a long period," said Burgin. "The question for Prime Minister Tony Blair's government and other European governments is 'will they survive the growing opposition to the war?'" he said. . . . Political analysts say a well-organised peace movement could provide serious problems for governments -- especially Blair's, America's staunchest ally since the September 11 attacks -- where public opinion is stacked against an attack not sanctioned by the United Nations. . . . "The combination of a war that might not be backed by the U.N. with domestic public opinion that is opposed means the British government will be under a very difficult situation if a million people start marching in the streets," he said.

posted by LoZo 1:38 PM