Syria anti-War Protesters Hail 'Victory' in London
More than a thousand anti-war protesters rallied in London's Trafalgar Square on Saturday to proclaim "victory" after Britain's parliament blocked Prime Minister David Cameron from taking military action in Syria.
The activists filled the tourist hotspot with Syrian and communist flags, plus banners with slogans such as "No Attack on Syria" and "Hands Off Syria" in the rally organised by the left-wing Stop the War Coalition.
Kate Hudson, general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, told Agence France Presse the protesters were calling for the government to stick by Thursday's vote, which saw lawmakers reject Cameron's bid for British involvement in possible U.S.-led military strikes against Syria.
"We're here also to send a very strong message to President Obama in the United States. What's good here in Britain -- that we don't need a war on Syria -- is also good for the United States," Hudson said.
"Every day, dozens if not hundreds of people are killed in Iraq as a direct result of Western intervention. We have to learn the lessons of that and not repeat that in Syria."
Protester Edmond Furse added: "We had misinformation in the Iraq war in 2003 from (U.S.) General (Colin) Powell. We have the same story today but with a twist -- the chemical weapons attack. We don't know if it was from Syrian government forces."
Cameron has pledged to respect the wishes of lawmakers in the House of Commons, who voted 285 to 272 against him in what is believed to be the first time a British government has lost a vote on military action since 1782.
Meanwhile in north London, volunteers were loading hospital beds into containers destined for Syria at a "Hand in Hand for Syria" collection point.
The charity has collected funds and donations from across Britain and is preparing to ship items and distribute them to civilians affected by the uprising in Syria.
The funds raised have been spent on purchasing medical equipment, while clothing and supplies have been donated by individuals and organizations.
Source: Agence France Presse
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