Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=02/15/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LONDON ANTI-WAR DEMO (LONG)

NUMBER=2-299685

BYLINE=TOM RIVERS

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Nearly a million demonstrators took the streets of London to protest a possible war against Iraq. Tom Rivers spent the day in Hyde Park where the protesters rallied.

TEXT:

// CROWD NOISE UP AND UNDER ///

It was people power on a huge scale, the largest anti-war demonstration ever staged in London. The protesters came from diverse backgrounds and aged from youngsters to senior citizens.

The general theme among those in the crowd was a unified message to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U-S President George W. Bush to back away from any military option.

/// VOX ACT ///

We do not want a war. We do not want any killing. It is just time that we went out there and said no. We do not agree with you and we are going to make a stand.

/// END ACT ///

The demonstrators do not like Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein but they hate the idea of a war and its untold consequences and impact on the civilian Iraqi population.

Among those taking part many children like ten-year-old Mimi Byegrave who showed with a group of her school friends.

/// BYGRAVE ACT ///

I definitely do not want there to be a war and I am here just to try and make some impression on the people.

/// END ACT ///

One of the key speakers at the Hyde Park rally was the American peace campaigner, the Reverend Jesse Jackson who singled out praise for the youngsters who marched on the cold wintry day in Britain.

/// JACKSON ACT ///

Thank you for putting your bodies on the path of the war machine, especially young people. Young people get involved. This is your world. (cheers under)

/// END ACT ///

The mood in the crowd was that the tide was starting to turn in their direction and many pledged to march again - in even greater numbers - if war does come to Iraq.

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