More
Matrix Masters
Blogs
World Events
US News
Science & Health
Earth News
Free Speech
News from Africa
News from Palestine
Bill of Rights Under Attack

Matrix Masters'
SUPPORTERS

Lorenzo's
Random Musings
. . . about Chaos,
Reason, and Hope

 

Bush faces fiery welcome
(Tania Branigan, The Guardian, November 3, 2003)
Anti-war campaigners will prop grinning effigies of George Bush on to pyres around the country, hoping to stoke up opposition to his state visit to Britain this month. . . . The gesture is an apt one, for the US president can expect pyrotechnics when he arrives on November 19. Protesters angered by the invitation hope it will backfire on the government; George Galloway MP has described it as "sheer political madness". . . . Activists say it is galvanising opposition to the occupation of Iraq, and demonstrators will travel from across Europe to join the protests in London. . . . Critics argue it provides Mr Bush with an opportunity to portray himself as a well-respected statesman in the run-up to next year's presidential elections. And they are determined to show the world that British opposition to involvement in Iraq has not faded. . . . "If we can help sabotage George Bush's election campaign, so much the better. We want to send a message to all the people of the world - I think our best defence against a terrorist outrage is having a huge demonstration." . . . Ms German said: "We are saying he will not be able to drive round London and go to banquets and have photo-opportunities for his forthcoming election campaign back home without it being clear that opposition to the occupation of Iraq continues on a mass scale in this country . . . "People feel they have a right to protest and to protest in an effective way; getting close to him and making their voices heard. . . . "But if the only way to get Bush round London is behind a huge iron curtain of security, that in itself will be a terrible blow to the idea that he is welcome here." . . . The most controversial protest will be a non-violent act of civil disobedience at Buckingham Palace. Milan Rai of the anti-war group Justice not Vengeance, which initiated the plan, stressed that it would not involve trespass, but declined to elaborate. . . . There will be a big demonstration on the second day of Mr Bush's visit, as well as rallies and vigils around the country, and, organisers hope, school, college and workplace walkouts like those seen on the day that the war began. . . . Most potent of all may be the presence of another American, Ron Kovic. The trip from California is challenging for the paralysed Vietnam veteran turned peace activist, but he said he was determined to join the protestst. . . . "This is about life and death. I can't help feeling - as many veterans do - that we are watching a replay of the Vietnamese war," said Mr Kovic, who is best known for his autobiography, Born on the Fourth of July. . . . "President Bush is going to London to represent a particular point of view on the war. I'm here to represent what war really is. I'm coming to represent the millions of people in my country who knew this war was wrong from the start."

posted by Lorenzo 5:06 PM