Speak in memory of those whom the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - the most signed up to Convention of all time, with only the US and Somalia failing to support - failed so shamefully.

Speak for those in the mass graves created by the invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and the potential victims of those threatened elsewhere in this assinine 'war on terror' (aka : war for oil, strategic positions, gas piplelines and world dominance in imposing'our values'.)

Bring worn childrens' shoes, in the name of the silent slaughter of an average of six thousand children a month, who died in Iraq of 'embargo related causes' for the thirteen years of a US/UK driven UN embargo 'not with a bang, but with a whimper'.

Bring your shoes in the name of the children who are now routinely shot,raped, tortured, driven over with their family, by the tanks of the 'liberators'. (News, websites.) Bring your shoes in the name of the children of Afghanistan, still dying five years after the post 9/11 invasion (no Afghan or Iraqi ever accused of being on the planes that day.)

In the name of the children of Lebanon for whose lives Prime Minister Blair refused to call for a ceasefire by Israel, and whose deaths he failed to condemn.

A professed Christian who failed to 'suffer the little children ...' in protection, only to allow them to unimaginably,horrendously, suffer.In the name of the children of Palestine, dying in their homes, at beach picnics, walking to and from home,being transported in ambulances, bring your shoes.

The Prime Minister plays games and lip service to caring,whilst young activists are crushed and shot for the real thing. Remember the children of threatened wars:Syria, Iran and let your shoes cry : 'Enough.. No more. Ever.' Remember that Iraq's illegal invasion hasfinally been renamed for what it was : 'Operation Iraqi Liberation' O-I-L.

Paint or stick a flag of these countries to your small, worn shoes. Pile them outside the Conference Centre,Manchester Town Hall, at the site of war memorials. If you have or can find pictures of the victims of these'Crusades', bring them, laminate them, let them speak, name them.

The other victims are the families of the soldiers who have died for a lie in far away places and who have been forbidden their peace camp outside the Conference, their children out of sight, mind and six feet undergound,for the Prime Minister and his colleagues inside. In banishing the bereaved, shameful can get little lower.

Unable to attend? Send shoes with a friend, or make your feelings known to :

Councillor Richard Leese,
Leader of Manchester City Council,
Town Hall
Albert Square
MANCHESTER
M60 2LA
UK

Telephone: 0161 234 5000
Email:  city.council@manchester.gov.uk

DEMONSTRATE 23 SEPTEMBER,
LABOUR CONFERENCE - MANCHESTER, 1PM