CND and Anti-War demonstrations
War on Afghanistan
After condemning the attacks of September 11, CND organised demonstrations
under the slogan “stand shoulder to shoulder for peace” and against
the war on Afghanistan. One of the most notable protests was held
in October 2001, when around 50,000 people marched against
the military air strikes on Afghanistan. Placards carried a wide
range of messages from "CND says not in my name" and "CND says peace
& justice for all" to "fight US/UK imperialism".
In the midst of that war, the CND Council meeting of December 2001 outlined plans for actions opposing any possible war on Iraq. That meeting also agreed that CND would co-operate with the newly-formed Stop the War Coalition (STWC). CND supported the STWC action in November 2001 and organised many anti-war protests during 2002. It also supported the demonstration jointly organised by STWC and the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) in September 2002
War on Iraq
During the build up to the war on Iraq, CND was very involved in organising anti-war protests. The major demonstration on 15 February 2003 was the biggest in London’s history and was jointly organised by CND, STWC and MAB. Two million people from across the country took part in the protest held in London, while there were also demonstrations held in Belfast and Glasgow. The three-and-a-half mile march began at two different meeting points before coming together at Piccadilly Circus and finishing at Hyde Park with a massive rally. Demonstrators carried signs, chanted slogans and made a huge amount of noise with horns and drums; while high profile speakers, like Tony Benn and world famous US civil rights activist, Rev Jesse Jackson, voiced their opposition at the rally. Whether people were on the stage or in the crowd, the message was loud and clear, ' No War on Iraq'.
CND continued to organise demonstrations against the war on Iraq, together with STWC and MAB. These included the largest wartime demonstration in British history (22nd March), which was held simultaneously in London, Fairford (where B52s were taking off) and Menwith Hill, the largest electronic monitoring station in the world.
After President Bush declared the war over, CND continued to campaign against the British and US occupation of Iraq, to highlight the suffering of the Iraqi people under the occupation and to raise the dangers of future pre-emptive wars. Protests took place across the country and included a national demonstration of about 100,000 people, organised with STWC and MAB, on the eve of the Labour Party conference, on the theme of “No More War Lies”.
From the 19th – 21st November, during the visit of President Bush to Britain, CND, along with STWC, MAB and others, was involved in organising massive protests across the country including a rally of 200,000 people in Trafalgar square at which a statue of George Bush was toppled. Pictures of this event were broadcast on TV stations across the world.
The disarmament symbol >>
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