Stop the War protests gathering steam in the UK

Anti-war protesters in the UK are beginning to make their voices heard, with multiple demonstrations held across the country this past weekend demanding an end to the latest US aggression in the Middle East.

While the numbers don’t yet rival those of the Iraq War protests of a quarter-century ago, the similarities between the two and the groups organizing them are chillingly familiar.

Independent A.Australia attended one such event in Manchester last Sunday to find out more about the people challenging the British Prime Minister. Keir StarmerTacit support for US aggression and what they hope to achieve.

a common goal

As we walked into the center of Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens (the venue for today’s event), we were reminded that it was, suffragette movement was born.

Statue of local girl Emmeline Pankhurst The statue, infamous for its slogan “deeds not words” in the struggle for women’s suffrage, adorns nearby St. Peter’s Square.

On International Women’s Day, this is a subtle reference to the fact that this northern city is famous not only for its football clubs, but also for its history of protest.

The lady we met – Steph Pike – a local Mancunian with similar passions and one of the activists participating in the action. Stop War Coalition attending today’s event.

His group, along with several others, came together to take a stand against recent events in Iran, as he passionately explained:

“Today’s protest marks the launch of the Together Alliance in Manchester, an alliance of unions and individuals coming together to campaign against the war. [influence of the] Very Right.”

Steph Pike speaks to rally attendees (Photo: Kevan Sangster)

Mention of the Far Right – in UK terms this means increasingly popular UK Reformation It’s a common theme among speakers (Steph is one of them) as the party – and its nationalist counterparts – make their feelings known, one by one.

It appears this event is not just anti-war, but also a reaction to the increasingly anti-immigration policies of a party that has been leading opinion polls here for months. In the eyes of many of the participants we spoke to, these two issues are inextricably linked.

Steph tells us that such events have been repeated across the country, with an estimated 5,000 people attending the meeting in London on Saturday, and cities such as Coventry and Liverpool also planning demonstrations in the coming days.

Although the crowd here is smaller (about 200 people), the message among them is clear. This war is not in their name, and they want to voice that as strongly as they can.

facing history

“Despite all the concerns in the last two weeks since the US Administration took office”Operation Epic RageOrganizers of this event reacted quickly to rapidly changing events after Iran failed to negotiate an end to its nuclear program.

As the rumblings of military action grew louder ahead of the first American attack on Tehran, the first meeting of the Manchester Branch of the Stop the War Coalition was held on February 26 at the Friends Meeting House, near our current location.

Worryingly, this initial planning session was disrupted by far-right agitators who learned of the group’s plans online.

While violence was thankfully avoided, Steph explains that the “threatening demeanor” of these instigators led to an ugly verbal confrontation.

Battle lines were being drawn not only in the Middle East but also in Manchester, but thankfully it did not happen again at the event we attended.

Greater Manchester Police were on hand to ensure no problems arose from the protest in one of Manchester’s busiest squares, informing us that no counter-protests were flagged or expected.

Such fierce opposition from your fellow citizens is a far cry from when the Stop the War Coalition emerged in the early 2000s.

“Stop the War Coalition was founded in 2001. George W BushThe war on terror”, which helped organize mass protests against Britain’s involvement in the war against Iraq. Recalling the time when millions marched in London to protest the then Prime Minister, Steph proudly explains: Tony BlairDecision to join Bush’s groupcoalition of the willing”.

These protests are still ongoing, although they ultimately failed to change the Government’s mind on the issue. largest political demonstration In England, according to the Museum of London.

And it certainly encouraged Steph’s group to continue campaigning on many fronts for an end to the war.

Steph’s comment:

“We have continued to campaign against Britain’s involvement in imperialist wars, most recently the genocide in Gaza and the current war against Iran.”

Whether the campaign can achieve the mass appeal of 2003 remains to be seen, but judging by the people we spoke to on our visit to these shores, the mood in the country seems decidedly one of shock and anger.

What happens next?

As the Manchester protest draws to a close – including poetry readings and more – organizers tell us that the Stop the War protests will continue for the coming weeks, or until the US and Israel halt their bombing campaigns against Iran.

Quickly pointing to the big show scheduled for March 28th in London as the next big event, they informed us that there were seven sold-out coaches from Manchester who would be taking part in the “Together Alliance” event.

The “Alliance Together” is a group of unionists, community activists, environmentalists and even demonstrators who marched from Park Lane to Whitehall in the nation’s capital.

But a quick look at them website shows that, despite famous participants – British comedian Lenny Henry and rock legend Paul Weller Among these, the aim is predominantly a protest against the rise of the far Right in the UK, rather than a purely anti-war message.

This is a theme Steph reiterates, concluding: “Stop the War Coalition, along with other organisations, will continue to campaign against the far right, as well as protesting against the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the war against Iran.”.

While it’s clear that many of these topics attract the same types of supporters, one wonders whether the mixed messages might deter some people from getting involved.

Politics here, as in Australia, is a divisive issue.

Brexit The referendum still looms large in this divided country, and the anti-war mood we have encountered to date may have been stifled by party politics.

Whatever the outcome, it is clear from our time in Manchester and elsewhere in the UK that the voice of protest against the current military action in Iran and against British intervention, however limited, is gaining traction.

Time will tell whether this will have any impact on the governments taking this action.