8th December 2004, Manchester, UK. Supporters of anti-Iraq war groups from the US, Britain and Iraq hold a rally against the Iraq war at the Unitarian Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester city centre.
The public meeting is entitled: "End the occupation of Iraq - Bring all the troops home". The line up of speakers is as follows:
Michael Hoffman: Michael took part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and on his return to Pennsylvania became involved in the anti-war movement. He is co-founder and national coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War.
Lou Plummer: Lou served in the US army in the 80's and is the grandson, son, brother and father of men who have served or are serving in the military. He is a leading spokesman for Military Families Speak Out and Bring Them Home Now.
Rae Street: Rae is a well known peace activist based in the North West of England. She has travelled the world as part of her campaigning. She is national vice-chair of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Dr Salam Ismael: Salam is general secretary of the Doctors for Iraq Society. He was in Iraq from the start of the war to June of this year. He worked in Fallujah during the first seige in April 2004.
John Rees: John is one of the co-founder members of the Stop the War Coalition. He has spoken at meetings across the country and in the Middle East
This clip shows Michael Hoffman, a US veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, speaking at the meeting about the terrible effects of the war on both Iraqis and US soldiers.
The meeting is chaired by Ron Senchak. Ron was in the US navy from 1965-68. He joined the movement against the Vietnam war when he left the navy.
The rally launches the Greater Manchester campaign for the 19th March national demonstration in London, which is part of a global day of action. This day marks the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Demonstrations will be taking place in other countries around the world on the same day.
Dr Ismael speaks movingly about the slaughter of two of his own doctor colleagues during the recent attack on Fallujah and reports that over 3000 Iraqis have been killed during the attack. He uses a Powerpoint presentation during his speech showing photos of atrocities committed during the attack on Fallujah.
The two US speakers speak of their brave and tireless work in the US opposing the war. Rae Street exposes the hypocrisy of British warmongers--drawing attention to the fact that Britain has its own weapons of mass destruction. Ron Senchak speaks about the pressing need to build for the London demonstration against the war on 19th March 2005. John Rees talks about how the anti-war movement has succeeded in keeping the war issue at the top of the agenda in the run up to the coming general election.
After all that has happened in Iraq over the past year and half, the sight of people from countries that are on opposites sides of an ongoing war sharing the same platform is remarkable and inspiring. All the speakers receive a warm response and there is a determination to continue the struggle to end this insane war.
Many people at the rally agreed that this was one of the most powerful and moving anti-war rallies that they had ever experienced.
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