London mayor denounces Bush ahead of visit
IRNA
London, Nov 18, IRNA -- London major Ken Livingstone joined the growing opposition to George W Bush`s state visit to the UK Tuesday, denouncing the US president as the gravest threat to world peace. "I actually think that Bush is the greatest threat to life on this planet that we`ve most probably ever seen," Livingstone said in an interview with the Ecologist magazine. "The policies he is initiating will doom us to extinction," he said. His comments came as anti-war demonstrators started a series of protests to coincide with his arrival in London on Tuesday evening and culminate in a mass rally in the British capital while the US president holds talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday. London`s major, who was expelled from the ruling Labour Party ahead of his election in 1999, is planning an "alternative reception" for those who were opposed to the war in Iraq during Bush`s visit. "I don`t formally recognise George Bush because he was not officially elected," he said in reference to the legal wrangles that surrounded the US presidential elections in 2000. "We are trying to get (dissident US author) Michael Moore over as our guest as the alternative voice of the US and then get all the environmental and peace movements here in this building for a `not the George Bush reception`," Livingstone said. He voiced support for a United States of Europe to provide a powerful bloc to rival the US globally with a "less rapacious form of capitalism". Stop The War Coalition convenor Lindsey German predicted that more than 100,000 would join Thursday demonstration in central London, after campaigners gained approval to march past parliament and government offices. "Opposition is just snowballing. Our phones have not stopped ringing with calls from people wanting to show their opposition to the visit," she told Britain`s PA news agency. Protests were beginning Tuesday with a Stop Bush Rally in London with speakers including former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn, playwright Harold Pinter, and independent MP George Galloway, recently expelled from Labour for his outspoken anti-war comments. The rally coincides with a separate protest by environmental protesters who will stage a separate rally this evening outside the US campaigners, who are staging a picket outside the US Embassy, branding Bush as "public enemy No 1". "As he sets his unwelcome feet on these shores people who care about the environment will be gathering to express their anger at the man who has done more damage to the planet and to the future prospects of humanity than any human being before," organisers said. On Wednesday, an "alternative" state procession is being held tomorrow complete with a horse-drawn open carriage and a protester dressed in regal-style robes to mimic the ceremonial pageantry bestowed on Bush. Even when the US president official ends his state visit, demonstrators are planning a protest when Blair takes the US president to his Sedgefield constituency in the north east of England on Friday. HC/212 End
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