by Xinhua Writers Zheng Bofei, Yu Aicen
LONDON, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Anti-war protesters marched through central London on Saturday, denouncing U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran and urging the British government not to be drawn deeper into the conflict.
Drums, chants and Palestinian and Iranian flags filled the streets as demonstrators walked from Millbank to the U.S. Embassy in Nine Elms. Organizers said between 20,000 and 30,000 people joined the rally, while the Metropolitan Police estimated the turnout at more than 5,000.
The protest was organized by anti-war groups, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Stop the War Coalition, with support from pro-Palestine groups.
Sophie Bolt, general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, described the bombing of Iran as an "unprovoked illegal attack" and said organizers aimed to "put the maximum pressure on the British government to stop supporting this illegal war."
"We're all horrified at what Israel and the U.S. have done," said Bolt. "Yet again, we are seeing an unprovoked illegal attack on Iran. Absolutely catastrophic," She told Xinhua.
She said the protest had been organized at short notice but still attracted "thousands and thousands of people," drawing not only anti-war activists but also supporters of the Palestine solidarity movement and trade unions.
John Rees, national officer of the Stop the War Coalition, criticized the British government's stance, saying Prime Minister Keir Starmer was "squirming by allowing the bases to be used, but saying he doesn't want to be part of offensive operations."
"Those two things are mutually contradictory," he said.
Among the protesters was Lela, an Iranian woman who has lived in London for 30 years. She said she felt "anxious and sad," but was encouraged to see large crowds supporting her country.
"Iranian people are educated people, they're free people, they can make decisions for themselves," she said. "They don't need any foreign government to make decisions for them."
Carla, an Italian resident in London, said she joined the march because "we need to fight for peace, all together," adding that protesters feared being "dragged into a new world war."
Another participant, Tim Newton, said he attended for "morality," describing the war as "completely illegal" and criticizing what he called the British government's "wavering" position.
As the march crossed the Thames toward the U.S. Embassy, protesters continued chanting outside the heavily guarded complex, warning that ordinary people should not once again bear the cost of war. ■
