Tens of thousands of people joined a rally in London

by Paul Kinsella - Irish Anti War Movement (IAWM) Sun May 19, 2002 18:16 paulkinsella53 at yahoo dot com 53 Lorcan Grove, Dublin 9, Eire 087 - 9748511

This was a brilliant turnout but I think you're being a bit cautious about the tremendous turnout in London yesterday. Here's another report about yesterday's Demo that I found on the Internet. Ps. I didn't see any of the news's yesterday what with the Election and all that. Was the Demo mentioned at all? Please let us know. Thanks.

100,000 March in London For Palestine.

LONDON -- The British capital on Saturday witnessed by far the biggest-ever peace rally in support of the Palestinians, reminiscent of the tumultuous days of the nuclear disarmament and anti-Vietnam war demonstrations of the 1960s.

The march, which set off from Hyde Park Corner at noon, is said to be twice larger than last month's rally in London, attended by more than 50,000 Palestinian sympathisers.

"We aim to show the British government that its pro-Israeli stance is out of step with public opinion," Palestine Solidarity Council secretary Betty Hunter said.

"The government must acknowledge Britain's historic responsibility for the dispossession of the Palestinians, stop betraying the Palestinians, withdraw our ambassador, stop arming Israel, stop buying arms from Israel and suspend trade agreements," she said.

The rally is being supported by Britain's main peace groups, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Stop the (Iraqi) War Coalition, by trade unions, politicians, academics as well as Muslim organisations and anti-Israeli Jews.

A mix of students, trade unionists and seasoned campaigners heard calls for war crimes charges to be brought against those who had organised military actions in the Jenin refugee camp.

The PNC said that the line-up of support "reflects the unity between all sections of the community in calling for an end to Israel's occupation."

Crowds marched from Hyde Park, through the streets of central London carrying placards and waving flags before gathering in Trafalgar Square to hear speeches which demanded more action from the international community.

As well as expressing support for refugees and those who had lost their homes, marchers called for sanctions to be put in place until Israel agreed to a complete withdrawal from Palestinian territory.

Naomi Wayne, of Jews for Justice for Palestinians, said: "We wanted to
show solidarity with the Palestinians.

"We want to see Israeli to withdraw to the 1967 borders, from the occupied territories.

"We want Israel to sit down and negotiate with the Palestinians so they can have their own state."

She added: "We want Israel to have a secure future, but this must not be at the expense of the Palestinians.

The organisers are laying down a challenge to the British media, especially the BBC, not to downplay the significance of the demonstration after virtually ignoring last month's rally.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said that it was "very disappointed at the low level press coverage" that was given to the last huge march as well as other rallies taking place in UK cities.

It said there was a "tremendous sign of solidarity between the people of Britain and the besieged Palestinians" following Israel's re-occupation of Palestinian towns.

"By its barbaric actions and its continual defiance of UN resolutions and most of the world opinion, Israel has isolated itself from the community of civilised nations," said MCB, Britain's main Muslim umbrella organisation.

by King Mob Mon May 20, 2002 12:36

Paul usually likes to inflate figures at demos.

To find the correct figure of how many people turned up at a rally we've devised this formula

let x equal the number of people the police say turned up

let y equal the number of people Paul says turned out.

x + y = A/2= B

B is the actual turnout.

And Paul you do this constantly.......

by upagainsthewallmothertrucker Mon May 20, 2002 13:41

yes that's generally how i work out how many people showed up.

media/garda underestimation + SWP overestimation x.5 = real number

by db Mon May 20, 2002 14:45

I was there for the demo, it was big, I'm not sure if 100,000 people is the right figure to put on it, it was certainly more than the 50,000 the bbc say were on it.

I'd saay around 75-80,000

by Syd Tue May 21, 2002 18:09 The Anarchist Republic of Ealing

I was there at the massive Anti war Demo in London last Saturday and I have to say as an active Anarchist for many years who'se been on many a Demo in London over the years this was the biggest by a mile, really, really mother fucking big. A friend of my mine who works on the traffic cameras in London (Don't worry he's on our side) says that there was between 100,000 to 120,000 people participating in the Demo last Saturday. People like King Mob and Paul Kinsella can't really speak from experience as your only seeing reports on the Internet (Often very distorted and biased) about last Saturday's Demo and your only guessing from afar about what really happened. Now we're really delighted that you guys in Ireland care so passionately about the future of the planet. I have to say that while I don't agree with all of the aims and policies of the British Anti War Movement I and most of the Anarchists in London will support their Demos and Actions any time that they do call for a Mobilisation to Action. Ps. Keep up the good work on Indymedia Ireland. Keep up the Struggle!

Greetings,
Syd,
Ealing.