Wednesday 19 November 2003
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The November midday sun caressed the lawns as demonstrators from the Student Peace Alliance gathered at the entrance of the Brynmor Jones Library on the University of Hull campus. A mood of defiance and anger was prevalent as student after the other grabbed hold of the megaphone to the rallying cry of “Stop Bush!” and spoke with conviction and force about the human suffering that the war has caused, and why Bush has to be stopped. Others students passing by watched the proceedings, some with interest, others too much in a hurry to bother to stop for long. A few police officers kept watchful eyes, and a video camera, on us as the crowd grew, including a white coated young man holding a “Scientists Against War” placard.
It was well past midday when we finally took over Cottingham Road after having marched through the campus, accompanied by the now customary police escort. We picked up more demonstrators, including a dog (and its owner), as we went down Newland Avenue, Princes Avenue, Spring Bank and Ferensway towards Queen Victoria Square. When we finally reached the square at about 2pm the march had grown substantially, to be greeted by Hull Stop the War Campaign supporters at the back of Queen Victoria, although she was disdainfully looking the other way.
A few hecklers interrupted constantly the speakers when the first speeches were being delivered from the impromptu podium, but fortunately the heckling was transformed into a lively debate at the back of the rally which lasted for a while, much to the delight of TV crews, press photographers and journalists present, all hungry for news.
Queen Victoria’s back was momentarily embellished with a placard, enhancing her appearance. However, a couple of police officers had other ideas about what constitutes “tasteful decoration” and made the students to take it down.
Dissenters raised the usual misconceptions about the war and about our motives:
- The Anti-Bush campaign is Anti-American.
- Britain and America went to war because of the brutal nature of Saddam’s dictatorship.
- Britain and America had to go to war because of September 11.
- Iraq posed a threat to Britain and America.
- Tying up police resources in the demonstration.
- God bless Bush!
It was a good and lively afternoon, a good prelude for the London march the following day.
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Page uploaded: 27 November 2003
