Stop The War - Protest In London Marks 10 Years Of War In Afghanistan - Bbc News

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The BBC's Ben Ando on the this day's events

Continue reading through the key account Afghanistan War - 10 years

A protest possesses happened in central London to be able to draw 10 numerous the actual clash within Afghanistan.

The Stop The War Coalition explained as long as 5,000 people joined this Anti-war Mass Assembly within Trafalgar Square.

Following the actual demo, while in which anti-war musicians, stars in addition to MPs attended to your crowd, protesters made their technique together Whitehall to be able to Downing Street.

There, your delegation labeled on the excellent minister for the speedy flahbacks involving British troops from Afghanistan.

"(They handed over) your letter through armed service young families phoning within the primary minister to provide that troops residence that will avoid every other family members struggling tragedies in how some people have," organiser Kate Hudson said.

BBC correspondent Ben Ando, throughout Trafalgar Square, estimated related to 1,000 men and women ended up in the protest plus said organisers could well be "disappointed" on the turnout.

But Chris Nineham, belonging to the coalition, said: "We also have your good turnout.

"Once for a second time it can be an expression from the frustrating opinion within this state that's against the war."

Speakers dealing with this packed areas within Trafalgar Square included Stop The War Coalition chief executive Tony Benn, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, activist Jemima Khan, reporter John Pilger, musician Brian Eno, comedian Mark Steel, quite a few Labour MPs, and also 106-year-old anti-war campaigner Hetty Bower.

'Bring troops home'

Earlier, campaigners held a Naming that Dead Ceremony, in which 120 bands regarding British military and Afghan civilians who've died inside decade considering that warfare started out were being go through out. The very same quantity connected with balloons ended up being released.

A "Tweet-out" contributed simply by Khan needed place, in which people in work used societal press for getting their communication with a wider audience.

A Stop The War spokesman said: "After 10 many warfare in Afghanistan, much more compared to 100,000 Nato soldiers stay as well as thousands have died.

"The authorities states that the conflict can be leading to Britain's stableness glance ever more hollow.

"Opinion polls advocate the majority of Britons would like your fast withdrawal with British troops, a look at not too long ago endorsed by the trade unions.

"Politicians have to get around stage with court thoughts and opinions and announce a date to help bring troops home."

The lots of British navy deaths inside operations within Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 382.