Amazing Grace sets off for Iraq (From Stroud News and Journal)

Amazing Grace sets off for Iraq

PEACE campaigner Grace Trevett bid an emotional farewell to friends and supporters this week when she set off on a journey that will take her to the heart of Iraq.

Dressed in sombre black, the mum of four left Stroud after a rousing send off in the High Street where crowds gathered to wish her well.

Television crews and journalists jostled for prime position as Grace, a committed member of the Stroud Peace Movement, prepared to travel with a group known as Human Shield Action.

She intends to form part of a voluntary human shield, camping near the Allied targets in the hope that the west will hold back its military might if westerners are in the firing line.

Grace said she wants to drive home the point that her life is equal to an Iraqi civilian.

On behalf of the peace movement, conflict analyst Judith Large presented Grace with a white dove badge, carved from shell by peace activists in Indonesia.

Stroud's mayor, Cllr John Marjoram, pinned another peace badge to Grace's lapel, telling her she had a mandate from the people of Stroud to do what she could to stop the war and highlight the civilian cost that would come with any bombing campaign.

Fellow peace campaigner Annabel Caddle told Grace: "You are a very brave woman. We will be with you always, wherever you are."

She has also been swamped will letters and gifts from those wishing her luck.

After the ceremony Grace left for London and on Saturday joined fellow campaigners for the journey to Baghdad.

They will be travelling overland in a peace convoy of three buses for three weeks before crossing the Turkish border into Iraq on February 8.

Grace plans to spend at least two weeks in the country, taking part in the protest organised by US marine-turned-peace-campaigner Ken Nichols O'Keefe.

Grace's daughter, Cher, whose 22nd birthday coincided with the send off, said she was worried about her mother but was proud of her dedication to her beliefs.

"There may be a war breaking out but I've got faith she'll be back safely," she said. "She's an amazing woman and I'm really proud of her."

Grace said she had been kept awake by butterflies the night before leaving but knew it was important for her to go.

"I know it's going to be very challenging and I'm under no illusions," she said.

"But I'm just going to take one day at a time."

Human Shield Action has had more than 1,000 volunteers asking to join subsequent missions.