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Anti-war protests in two cities Peace demos held in two cities
(about 6 hours later)
Anti-war marchers will converge on London and Glasgow calling for the return of all troops from Iraq. Anti-war marchers have taken to the streets in London and Glasgow to call for the return of all troops from Iraq.
They are also demanding that plans to replace the Trident nuclear missile system are scrapped. They also demanded that plans to replace the Trident nuclear missile system be scrapped.
Organisers say Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to bring 1,600 troops home has only strengthened their cause. Organisers from the Stop the War coalition said 60,000 people turned out in London's Trafalgar Square, but police put the figure at 10,000.
Politicians, entertainers and military families will be among the speakers in London's Trafalgar Square and George Square in Glasgow. In Glasgow, around 2,000 demonstrators gathered in George Square for the Bin the Bomb anti-Trident rally.
The Stop The War Coalition said the London march, which begins in Hyde Park, would be one of the biggest peace protests in years, with coaches bringing people from 150 towns and cities. Stop the War said there was a very good turnout and insisted it showed the depth of feeling among the public.
The demo, jointly organised with the CND and the British Muslim Initiative, will also warn against any military action against Iran. 'Iran fears'
On Wednesday, Mr Blair told MPs that some 1,600 British troops would return from Iraq within the next few months. The demo, jointly organised with CND and the British Muslim Initiative, was also opposed to any military action against Iran.
Protesters waved "Don't attack Iran" banners and posters labelling US President George Bush a "terrorist".
And Ismail Patel, from the British Muslim Initiative, said the central message of many of the campaigners was the importance of "freedom for the Palestinian people".
We know that many people are coming to the view that the government is addicted to war Lindsay German, Stop the War coalition Thousands in Glasgow
Politicians, entertainers and military families were among those who spoke in Trafalgar Square.
On Wednesday, Tony Blair told MPs that some 1,600 British troops would return from Iraq within the next few months.
And he said there were hopes that 500 more would leave by late summer.And he said there were hopes that 500 more would leave by late summer.
Lindsey German, of the Stop The War Coalition, said: "Whether 2,000 troops come home this year or not, it is too little too late and we must intensify our call for all troops to be withdrawn now and for Britain to break the link with George Bush's foreign policy." Lindsey German, from the Stop The War coalition, said: "Whether 2,000 troops come home this year or not, it is too little too late and we must intensify our call for all troops to be withdrawn now and for Britain to break the link with George Bush's foreign policy."
Comedian Mark Thomas, playwright David Edgar and a number of Labour MPs will be among the speakers at the rally. And she added: "We know that many people are coming to the view that the government is addicted to war."
Families protestFamilies protest
Relatives of soldiers killed or serving in Iraq set up a camp outside Downing Street on Friday to coincide with the protest.Relatives of soldiers killed or serving in Iraq set up a camp outside Downing Street on Friday to coincide with the protest.
They handed in a letter to Mr Blair calling for all British troops to be withdrawn immediately and demanding a meeting with him.They handed in a letter to Mr Blair calling for all British troops to be withdrawn immediately and demanding a meeting with him.
For 25 years the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has consistently argued that nuclear weapons are morally and theologically wrong The Right Rev Alan McDonald class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/4094818.stm">Where are British troops? Protesters in London wore orange jumpsuits like those of Guantanamo inmates
Rose Gentle, whose 19-year-old son Gordon, a Royal Highland Fusilier from Glasgow, was killed by a bomb in Basra in June 2004, was among those sleeping in a tent on Whitehall until Sunday morning. Rose Gentle, whose 19-year-old son Gordon, a Royal Highland Fusilier from Glasgow, was killed by a bomb in Basra in June 2004, was among those sleeping in a tent in Whitehall until Sunday morning.
In Glasgow, church leaders, union chiefs and politicians from every party are expected to join Saturday's "Bin the Bomb" protest. In Glasgow, church leaders, union chiefs and politicians from every party addressed the marchers.
Demonstrators are angry at plans set out by Mr Blair late last year to replace Trident, based on the Clyde at Faslane, at an estimated cost of up to £20 billion. Demonstrators there were angry at plans set out by Mr Blair late last year to replace Trident, carried by submarines based on the Clyde at Faslane, at an estimated cost of up to £20 billion.
The prime minister said retention of the nuclear deterrent was "crucial" to national security.The prime minister said retention of the nuclear deterrent was "crucial" to national security.
The Right Rev Alan McDonald, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will be among the expected crowds. The Right Rev Alan McDonald, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, was among the marchers.
"For 25 years the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has consistently argued that nuclear weapons are morally and theologically wrong and I have always strongly supported that decision," Rev McDonald said. He said: "For 25 years the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has consistently argued that nuclear weapons are morally and theologically wrong and I have always strongly supported that decision."
"As the government prepares to make the decision about renewing Trident it is now make up your mind time for all of us." People would rather see that money spent on schools, hospitals and fighting crime Alex Salmond, SNP leader, on the Trident programme class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/4094818.stm">Where are British troops?
And SNP leader Alex Salmond said: "The people of Scotland have shown their opposition to Trident time and again.
"Instead of wasting billions on a weapons system that cannot protect us from terrorism, people would rather see that money spent on schools, hospitals and fighting crime."
Are you going on either of the anti-war marches? You can send us your experiences using the form below: Were you at either of the anti-war marches? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
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