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NEWS & LETTERS, DECEMBER 2003Our Life and Times by Kevin A. BarryLondon protest marchLondon--Over 100,000 people marched in London on Nov. 20 to protest the state visit of George W. Bush and the ongoing war in Iraq. Although the turnout was smaller than the million-strong pre-war mobilization in February, it took place on a weekday afternoon and consisted mainly of people living in London. The organized Left, as well as the Moslem Association, were there in force as usual, but were very much a minority among the array of people who turned out: university students, striking school students, trade unionists, professionals, senior citizens and ethnic organizations. Unfortunately, on what was supposed to be the day the protesters stole the fire of the "George and Tony show," Al Qaeda suicide bombers in Istanbul attacked the British Consulate and the HSBC bank, killing 28 and injuring hundreds. Not surprisingly, this atrocity provided the cue for Bush and Prime Minister Blair to come out of "hiding" to stress the importance of standing "firm" and "united" in the "war on terrorism." But as the war in Iraq had nothing to do with fighting Al Qaeda and fundamentalism anyway, these words are not likely to sway anti-war opinion. The huge numbers of people in Britain who voiced opposition before it started, now know that the government claims about weapons of mass destruction were false and they are back on the streets. If the anti-war movement is to grow further, however, it will have to achieve more than large set-piece mobilizations around a single-issue ("End the Occupation, Troops Out Now"). The Left urgently needs to address the problem of how the Iraqi labor organizations, secular Left and the women's movement can win their struggles for freedom--from Saddam and Bush/Blair. --Dave Black |
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