More than 1500 people marched and rallied in Sheffield today, Sat 28th Oct, a provincial if large city in the north of England , the event being possibly the largest since the Great Miners strike of 1984-85. A incredibly diverse event: there was pensioners, children, muslim elders, young asians, skateboard kids, mums, dads, ravers, women groups, political activists of every persuasion you name it, they were there. There was free food provided by Sheffield Food Not Bombs, who very nearly fed the five thousand, nice one. As well as the usual monochrome placards,a riot of colour was provided by loads of home made pleas for peace and tolerance. The Bikes Not Bombs contingent added even more colour and some noise to the assembled throng. After a lively and raucous march, with respectful policing (except for the usual Spielbergs with cameras) a large rally heard a top level range of speakers including Mark Seddon, a senior Labour Party Left Winger and editor of Tribune, Hilary Wainwright from Red Pepper magazine provided a libertarian tinge to the event. Helen John, Vice- Chair of C.N.D. made an impassioned and eloquent contribution and a local Afghanistan man perhaps got the loudest cheer with an impassioned plea to end the bombing in his country. An senior activist from the Palestian Solidarity Campaign raised loud cheers when he called for an end to Israeli occupation of his homeland. The event ‘wrapped up’ ouch! with D..J’s from the newly formed Beats not Bombs. Old hands said this was one of the best protests they had been on outside London. This was clearly another sign that a large vibrant peaceful and positive anti-war/ pro-peace movement is growing here and around the country.

Repect


www. sheffieldagainstwar.org.uk

Anyman’s death diminishes me because I am a ---------fill in yourself (with apologies to John Donne)