Photo: Anthony Mark Saul
On 28 November 2015, protests took place in London and in many cities across the UK urging the government not to go to war on Syria. Over 5000 protestors brought Whitehall in London to a standstill. They were joined by actor Mark Rylance, Diane Abbott MP, musician Brian Eno, Tariq Ali, journalist Owen Jones and George Galloway, who all addressed the crowds outside Downing Street.
A letter from musicians, writers, union chiefs and politicians was delivered to 10 Downing Street, telling David Cameron not to bomb Syria. Signatories include: Frankie Boyle, John Pilger, Caryl Churchill, Brian Eno, Caroline Lucas, Owen Jones and Will Self.
As the letter was being delivered to 10 Downing Street, protests were underway across the country in: Bradford, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Manchester, Norwich, Oxford, Sheffield, Glasgow and many more.
Over 200 people assembled in Cambridge for a rally, a march around city centre and a vigil. Cllr Lewis Herbert spoke to protestors. He delivered a message from Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner who said that he will vote ‘no’ to bombing Syria. Saturday’s action, organised by Cambridge Stop the War, will be followed by a further protest on Wednesday 2 December.
Cllr Lewis Herbert at Cambridge Stop the War rally:
Video: James Youd
The morning saw activists in the small, peaceful village of Lymm (population 11,000) set up a Don’t Bomb Syria street stall. Lymm Stop the War urged people to sign the Don’t Bomb Syria petition, and offered petition signers chocolates, cups of tea and information. One of those to add his name to the petition in Lymm village was none other than Ian Brown, lead singer of the legendary British band The Stone Roses.
Ian Brown, singer @thestoneroses, signs #DontBombSyria petition today at Lymm Stop the War street stall. pic.twitter.com/LFquhK3rjU
— Stop the War (@STWuk) November 28, 2015
Ian Brown not only signs against war, he sings against war too in his anti-war song Illegal Wars. Video and lyrics »
The #DontBombSyria hash tag trended at number one on Twitter all afternoon, as social media was saturated with images from actions across the UK.
#DontBombSyria banner ready for the Bradford protest today | https://t.co/yJ6ifeBzSQ | SEND your banner pics @STWuk pic.twitter.com/1eKqu4WrhA
— Stop the War (@STWuk) November 28, 2015
150 people demonstrated in Oxford
Anti-war protestors had a presence at the Climate March in Bournemouth, while Leeds Stop the War joined forces with the Climate Talks Rally in Leeds.
Leeds Stop the War protest on 28 November 2015
South Tyneside Stop the War Coaltion distributed hundreds of leaflets in South Shields with the title: “Cameron Wants Bombing and War – Not a Solution to the Terrorism He Helped Create”, directing people to the 2-minute lobby tool to lobby their MP.
Many have lobbied their MPs at weekly surgeries around the country. On Saturday, activists in Cornwall lobbied Sarah Newton, Conservative MP for Truro/Falmouth.
Protests are planned for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Biggar and Newcastle in the following days. Keep checking the Don’t Bomb Syria action page for updates…
And a vigil for peace in Hebden Bridge:
Source: Stop the War Coalition
