The organisers of the 15 February demonstration to Stop the War
against Iraq have issued the following statement:

'Our organisations are deeply concerned at the sudden and apparently
arbitrary decision by the Royal Parks Authority to deny us, as the
organisers of the February 15 demonstration against war, access to
Hyde Park for an end-of-march rally. We are further concerned that
this decision may have been taken at government level, which would
raise the most fundamental issues regarding the right to protest.

'We believe that the reasons given for this ban are spurious, and
that any genuine issues regarding public safety could easily be dealt
with in discussions between the Parks Authority, the Metropolitan
Police and ourselves. To avoid any confusion, we are urging the
authority to lift this ban without delay and allow plans for the
rally - the arrangements for which were first discussed with the
Parks Authority well before Christmas - to proceed.

'We wish to reaffirm that the demonstration on February 15 is going
ahead, and that there is no question whatsoever of it being
cancelled. It will be a peaceful and democratic protest, representing
the views and voices of the great majority of the British people, who
are against this war. A rally will be held in Central London at the
conclusion of the demonstration, and we believe that this can and
should be in Hyde Park, the more so since no realistic alternative
venue has been suggested. February 15 is a worldwide day of protest
against the war, and the British people can and will be heard in
their capital city, as millions will in other capitals around the
world.

'We urge the government to direct the Parks Authority to lift the ban
straight away, Our organisations are ready to continue discussions
about any legitimate concerns which the authorities or others may
wish to raise about the organisation of what may be the largest
demonstration in London's history.'

Andrew Murray, Chair, Stop the War Coalition
Carol Naughton, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Mohammed Sawala, Chair, Muslim Association of Britain

Londoners' opinions
Evening Standard poll result - 76% say rally should go ahead in Hyde
Park.

Evening Standard columnist Simon Jenkins comments: 'The ban on a Stop
the War rally on 15 February going through Hyde Park is stupid and
should be reversed. ... This is political. If I were to organise a
rally in support of the war, there would be no ban. ... [In 1866 the
Reform] League challenged the government's right to ban a public
rally in favour of a widened franchise in Hyde Park. Sheer weight of
numbers broke down the park gates and instigated the
celebrated "Battle of the Railings". ... The 15 February rally is a
political event ... It is in the tradition of British participatory
politics ... unlike the Government I can recognise a political
freedom when I see one. ...' (Evening Standard 30 January 2003)

want to complain?
Contacting the Royal Parks Agency -
post:
William Weston
Royal Parks Agency HQ
The Old Police House
Hyde Park
London W2 2UH
tel: 020 7298 2000
fax: 020 7298 2005
email:  hq@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk
Royal Parks Agency website