Hundreds of demonstrators blocked traffic in front of Downing street today to tell Tony Blair to just say no to U.S. government plans for an ballistic missile defence program. Representatives of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Globalise Resistance, socialists, student groups and others turned out at noon in light drizzle to voice their anger at the Blair administration.

The Student CND network had a large presence at the demonstration, and made use of a massive Darth Vader puppet to illustrate the force of evil represented by the Star Wars project. Guy Taylor, of Globalise Resistance spoke of the atrocious record of George W. Bush since he stole the election in the U.S. four months ago, and encouraged people to express their opposition both to the American administration and the multi-national corporations which influence international policies.
Dave Knight and Carol Naughton of CND spoke of the need to withdraw British support for the star wars project, saying that it will only serve to destabilize international relations by encouraging the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

CND staged a street theatre performance in front of the gates of Downing Street. A special U.S. delegation consisting of a Texan cowboy, four arms dealers, two high ranking U.S. military officials and Uncle Sam, were greeted by Tony Blair himself. A special delegation from CND arrived to deliver a Declaration of Protest, calling on Blair to halt collaboration with the U.S.

Police presence at the Downing St. demonstration was minimal. But when it wound down around 2pm, many demonstrators reconvened at the base of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar square. At this point the metropolitan police called out reinforcements, and a day-glow yellow halo formed around the demonstration. Speakers from Globalise Resistance and CND spoke from the base of the column. Police had their ace high professional camera crew out in force, filming activists. (Where does the met keep all these back-up officers anyway?)

Known as “Son of Star Wars,” the anti-ballistic missile project would make use of Menwith Hill communication station and Fylingdales radar installation in North Yorkshire. Blair’s visit to Washington in February resulted in what appears to be a commitment on the part of the British government to support the program.