The stop the war march in Manchester had a surprisingly good turn out approx. 1 thousand people congregated after a series of smaller focused demonstrations and events around the city. The Critical Mass 'Stop the cycle of violence' demonstration started of riding slowly round the centre of town with all dressed in Halloween costumes, to the tinkling sound of cycle bells and the howls of ware wolves. As the protest continued it got louder and louder, noising up the car drivers and slowing traffic to walking pace.

At all saints park the cycle riders met up with others demonstrating in the city and decided to clear the pavements and take the protest to the roads. A samba band was banging out a fine racket and the crowd sang along "this is a peaceful protest!" in the face of police aggression. Oxford road was blocked for all traffic for over an hour until the police on horse back lowered the tone and started to kick things off. The police were trying to push their horses into the crowd, things started to get excited. The horses were clearly in distress and a protester got stamped and ended up sat on the side of the road with his toe bleeding and his whole big toe-nail (plus a chunk of flesh) in his hand. Fortunately the local tattoo artist was on hand with first aid and the ambulance was not prevented form arriving at the scene. (sorry for the sensationalism, even sorrier that it happened)

The march then moved off up Oxford road and gathered momentum, handing out flyers on the way and explaining the situation to passers by who were joining the demonstration happily. It ended up in Piccadilly gardens louder than ever, where there were speeches and an the crowed were told of all the other protests simultaneously occurring around greater Manchester the UK and the world. Big it up!!

It was impressive to see the turn out and the depth of feeling of the crowd. "NO BLOOD FOR OIL!"

Personally I feel that the collective voice is getting heard at least, however we need to keep up the pressure if we are to force any change. Big up all those that came down, next time bring all your mates.


who let the bombs out? - BUSH, BUSH , AND BLAIR

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - WE DON'T WANT YOU BLOODY WAR 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - STOP THE BOMBING STOP THE HATE             (ORGANISE AND AGITATE!)

George bush we know you - YOUR DADDY WAS A KILLER TOO!