Anti-Bush Demo Goes Ahead Despite Police Ban

bristol | peace | announcement Wednesday June 11, 2008 13:16 by info@bristolstopwar

George Bush's itinerary for his visit on Sunday 15 June is now confirmed. Tea with the Queen at Windsor at 3pm then dinner at Downing Street. The time of the Stop the War/CND demonstration has therefore been changed. The coach from Bristol will now leave at 1pm from Anchor Road, returning from London at 8pm. Tickets are still available. Phone 07810 000083 or email bristolstopwar@hotmail.com to get a ticket

The police have banned the march from Parliament Square to Downing Street. It seems that when George W Bush visits this country traditional rights of assembly and movement are removed from the people. This would be unacceptable for the visit of any foreign leader, but for this one - a war criminal - it is doubly unacceptable and we will defy the ban.

Some of those who signed statements accusing Bush of war crimes will be leading this protest. Here are the comments of human rights activist Bianca Jagger and actor Roger Lloyd Pack:

"It is outrageous that George W Bush - a war criminal who has caused so much damage to our world - is to be protected from those who dare raise their voices against his crimes. The 'Green Zone' that will be set up around 10 Downing Street next Sunday, preventing the people of Britain from exercising their legitimate democratic right to assmble and march, must be opposed" - BIANCA JAGGER

"I feel affronted that George Bush is coming over here, and even more affronted that I'm not allowed to march in protest. This is a new thing isn't it, this banning of peaceful marches? What's going on? I thought we were supposed to be living in a free country. Isn't that why they said we went to war with Iraq?" - ROGER LLOYD PACK

The ban is being challenged with the Home Office and Metropolitan Police. Please send messages of complaint to the Home Secretary:
* Telephone: 020 7035 0198
* Fax: 020 7035 0900
* Email: indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Complain to the Metropolitan Police:
* Telephone: 020 7230 1212.

For further information email bristolstopwar@hotmail.com