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Children Against the War Demonstrate outside US Embassy 17 November 2002 Children from London, Hastings, and Norwich gathered to oppose the coming war on Iraq at the third 'Children Against the War' demonstration, held today, Sunday 17 November, outside the US Embassy in London, on a grey drizzle of a day. Alex from Norwich (11 years old), said, 'War is absolutely crazy and stupid. I hope that weaponsmaking stops by 2004 and the people who make war will think again.' Several other children spoke publicly against war, addressing the small crowd and the US Embassy with a megaphone. Afterwards, Ruth who is 8 later this month, recited a poem she learned at school. It is called, 'The general of the army': Said the general of the army, 'I think that war is barmy.' So he threw away his gun; Now he's having much more fun. Mother Lesley from Norwich said she wanted to meet more children working for peace, and to go to a child-centred event - because children are often side-lined. 'I wanted children to realise they have a responsibility and a say.' Children Against the War is organised by one Muslim girl, who celebrated her birthday in Grosvenor Square after the demonstration. During the demonstration, Sonia, 7, read out an anti-war speech she had written earlier (printed as the leaflet handed out on the demonstration) and closed the event with a Muslim prayer and a two-minute silence. Sonia has called two previous demonstrations, outside Downing Street and the US Embassy - she and her supporters have publicised the protests by leafleting mass anti-war demonstrations. Her next project is a weekly candle-lit vigil outside Downing Street every Monday evening 5.30-6.30. Sonia will be standing outside Downing Street at 5.30pm on Monday 2 December (after the Voices in the Wilderness/ARROW 'Warzone Whitehall' die-in), and for the three succeeding Mondays until 23 December. This vigil will be supported, as all Children Against the War events have been, by ARROW (Active Resistance to the Roots of War), a London-based nonviolent direct action group. ARROW holds a weekly vigil outside the Foreign Office, on the corner of King Charles Street and Whitehall every Monday evening 5.30-7pm, opposing economic sanctions and war on Iraq. This vigil has been held every Monday since July 1991. Sonia welcomes support from children of all ages during her December vigils. More info from ARROW 020 7607 2302 Report by Milan Rai of ARROW milanrai@btinternet.com www.j-n-v.org _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk