Protestors on the road to peace (From Stroud News and Journal)

Protestors on the road to peace

HUMAN shield Grace Trevett is now somewhere in Greece on a long leg of her trek to Baghdad.

She is believed to be travelling between Milan and Istanbul. The Stroud peace campaigner and some 40 others left London on January 25, embarking on a 3,000 mile bus ride across Europe which they hope will take them to the heart of Iraq.

The brave travellers set off in three double decker buses and a London taxi and have reportedly been well-received on the continent.

Grace last contacted well-wishers back in Stroud from Milan. She said she felt good about the trip so far and was getting on well with the others who had chosen to take part. She was, however, suffering from tooth ache.

It is now understood she is on a long leg of her journey from Italy to Istanbul which will take her through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

"I think it will become harder for her to contact us the closer she gets to Iraq," said supporter and Stroud Peace Movement member Alan Thornhill.

The mum of four intends to form part of a voluntary human shield, camping near Allied targets in Baghdad in the hope that the war mongers will hold back their military might rather than attack Westerners.

Grace has always maintained that her life is equal to an Iraqi civilian.

She is planning to spend at least two weeks in the country, taking part in the protest organised by former US marine Ken Nichols O'Keefe.

* Five coaches are expected to take opponents of the war from Stroud and Nailsworth to a national demonstration in London on February 15.

A single bus may stay in the capital overnight to allow those who want to take part in a sit in on the Saturday night to remain.

Thousands are expected to attend the rally which has been organised by the Stop the War Coalition.

Stroud MP David Drew will be among those travelling down from the town, as will the mayor, Cllr John Marjoram.

Cllr Marjoram reacted angrily to recent reports that America plans to launch 3,000 missiles and bombs within the first 48 hours of any attack on Iraq, the most intense bombing of its kind ever launched.

"The effects of that are going to be devastating," he said. "It's a campaign of terror."

Tickets for the coaches, priced at £10 are available from Cllr Marjoram on 01453 750962.

The coaches will leave Nailsworth at 8.40am and Stroud at 9am and are expected to get back at around 9pm the same day.

* Stroud Peace Movement is urging people to show their disapproval of the war by posting Tony Blair small bags of rice with the biblical quote "'If your enemies are hungry, feed them' Romans 12:20." written on the side and a brief message asking the Prime Minister to pass on the rice to the people of Iraq rather than bomb them.