Saturday was the final day in a week long initiative by Leeds student CASI to raise awareness of economic sanctions on Iraq; sanctions which have been in place for over a decade and perpetuate what can only be described as a genocide. Uk and US govts. have been complicit, for example, intentionally bombing the water supplies, (against the Geneva convention) rendering all hazardous to health. John Pilger described how there is presently over $3 bn of approved aid being stockpiled in NY, whilst another speaker Grant Wakefield described outrageous contradictions to the humanitarian notion of aid, like baby food being denied in case it was eaten by adults. The main casualties are children under 5, (500 000 would be a conservative estimate).
After the conference, people (200-300?) congregated outside the Uni, before being met by a hearse, symbolically carrying childrens coffins. The prominent procession made its way through Leeds city centre with police escort. A constant rally was maintained, making a strong impact; an observation helicopter also showed interest.
The campaign aims to put pressure on govts. to lift sanctions and is coordinating a massive petition. Information can be found at www.basinet.org.