Wartime protests planned (From Stroud News and Journal)

Wartime protests planned

STROUD could be brought to a standstill when Britain joins the American march on Baghdad.

Peace protestors throughout the UK have vowed: "If they start a war we'll stop the country."

Stroud's mayor John Marjoram has said that never in his lifetime has he seen so much opposition to a war.

"I think there will be civil disobedience of many different sorts," he said.

"There will be mass walk outs from schools and offices. People will be driving at 20mph to block the roads and I believe others will just sit down in the street."

He called for a boycott of American goods and asked people to support the French anti-war stance by buying French produce.

"The Government is trying to demonise the French because it knows in its heart that it is in the wrong." he said.

And he added: "I think it's a terrible thing."

Cllr Marjoram, human shield Grace Trevitt and conflict analyst Judith Large were among Stroud representatives at the People's Assembly for Peace which took place in Central Hall, Westminster on Wednesday, March 12.

Speaker after speaker expressed their determination to bring the country to a halt to highlight the deep feelings against the war.

Cllr Marjoram said people will gather outside the Subscription Rooms in Stroud at 5pm the day the bombing begins to discuss possible actions.

And he said there would then be a major demonstration in London the following Saturday.

At a meeting on the Iraqi crisis in the Subscription Rooms last week a resolution was drawn up saying the people of Stroud opposed war with or without UN backing.

"I think there will be huge repercussions during and after the war," said Cllr Marjoram. "I don't think Tony Blair will ever be forgiven for driving us into it."