15,000 join rally against war




By James Hamilton



Thousands of anti-war demonstrators brought the centre of Glasgow to a standstill yesterday in what is believed to be the biggest peace demonstration Scotland has yet seen.
An estimated 15,000 people protested against a USA and UK-led attack on Iraq. Among those who took part in a march, followed by a rally in the city's George Square, were MSPs Tommy Sheridan and John McAllion, and Labour MP Mohammed Sarwar.

The event was organised by the Scottish Coalition For Justice Not War and backed by the Scottish CND and public service union Unison. It followed a similar demonstration in London on September 28, when 400,000 people took to the streets in protest at impending military action.

McAllion, the Labour MSP for Dundee East, said a war against Iraq would be 'offensive and grotesque'.

He added: 'I think today it's clear that the real Scotland has at last found its sweet voice and that voice is saying no to the warmongers and yes to peace.'

Sheridan, the leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, accused the USA and Britain of wanting to 'unleash hell on the innocents of Iraq'. He told the crowd: 'I would ask each and every one of you to consider that today's demonstration has been a marvellous expression of basic human solidarity.'

Sarwar, the MP for Glasgow Govan, said the demonstrators were making it clear to the Prime Minister that public opinion was against military action. 'Today the message is loud and clear to Tony Blair that we don't want this evil war, which could kill thousands of innocent men, women and children in Iraq,' he said.

'Tony Blair is elected by the British people and he is accountable to the British people, not George Bush. He should start listening to the British people.'

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