by: Peace News
 | London anti-terror event.
PHOTO: Peace News , |
London: The hastily-called event - originally billed as a "peace vigil" - ended up being a fairly typical Stop the War Coalition-sponsored rally. With the usual suspects being wheeled out to make fairly predictable proclamations. Notable exceptions being poet and friend to PN Adrian Mitchell, who delivered a typically moving text, and the praise given by many to the emergency services and transport workers for their role in coping with Thursday's attacks.
Despite some technical hitches, the speeches were generally well-received, with the dominant messages being: that the attacks were a case of "chickens coming home to roost" vis UK foreign policy; that the wider community must help defend Muslims against attacks in the backlash; that Muslim leaders must have the courage to stand up and speak out against violent interpretations of Islam; and that, taking a lesson from the 9/11 families, revenge should not be sought.
This reporter saw few of the old-skool peace movement at the event; though a large contingent of the left were present. Perhaps the short notice and the fact that many people are still in transit from Scotland and the G8 kept them away.
The mainstream media however were in substantial evidence and, hopefully, the general sentiment of both speakers and crowd will be reflected in some of tomorrow's papers.
|
