Anti-war sentiment grows (From Stroud News and Journal)

Anti-war sentiment grows

SOME 200 protesters turned up to take part in Stroud Peace Movement's march against the war on Saturday.

The crowd gathered at the top of the High Street then marched around the town before congregating on the Subscription Rooms forecourt to listen to speakers.

"We're marching to show our opposition to the continuing bombing of Afghanistan and demand that priority is given to delivering aid," said the town's mayor, Cllr John Marjoram.

Though there was some heckling from those in favour of the war on the sidelines the procession gathered supporters as it passed through Stroud.

Once at the Sub Rooms aid worker Martin Whiteside launched the rally with a speech about his experiences in Afghanistan before the war and the impact the fighting was likely to have on the ordinary people.

"Millions of Afghanis face a freezing winter with not enough food - thousands will die," he said.

For more, see this week's SNJ