Press Release

17th February 2003

“We were there!”

People from all over High Peak travelled by car, train and coach to join the massive anti-war demonstration in London on Saturday. Seventy six people travelled by coach from Buxton to be part of the peaceful chanting millions surging towards Hyde Park. The crowds were so enormous that the High Peak contingent were obliged to abandon their grid locked coaches a mile north of the assembly point. Even then the Buxton marchers along with thousands of others were directed along a parallel route before eventually joining the main body of the march in Piccadilly where the march was over 50 persons wide. Local people from all walks of life chanted and sang with the rest of Britain.

One marcher from Buxton summed up the feeling of the group when she said: “It was amazing to see so many people of different creeds, different classes and different politics but with one thought in mind that in the 21st century there has got to be an alternative solution to war.” The reports that 1,500,000 were present and perhaps even 2 million was not difficult to believe because of the vastness of the protest. “It will be hard to understand if Tony Blair does not take notice of such an incredible protest” said the secretary of Buxton Against the War. “And for every one who managed to make the journey from High Peak there were sympathisers unable to join the protest. Many of us left family and friends behind who were very much with us in spirit” she said. A fifteen year old's comments sum up the sheer scale of the demonstration: “It was a privilege to make history…..the government needs to listen to their people.”

After hearing the speeches in Hyde Park, where the speakers were only just visible on distant giant screens the Buxton protestors began to make their way towards the thousands of coaches that lined the perimeter of the park. It was only with the help of mobile phones and a fool proof system, that all the Buxton marchers found their coach by 6 o’clock. Even as they set off home the demonstration was still entering Hyde Park. And of course the homeward ride was accompanied by heart-warming singing.

But the protest against war goes on and we have arranged a Public Meeting where High Peak constituents will be able to question our Member of Parliament Tom Levitt as he puts the governments case for war. They will also be able to hear the notable anti-war speakers - Mary Littlefield and Richard Searle - explain why the evidence against war is so compelling. The meeting will be held at the United Reform Church Hall on 14th March at 7.30pm. In the meantime people are invited to join others in tying peace messages and ribbons to railings on Saturday 22nd at 11.00 am. We will be gathering in Pavilion Gardens next to the Opera House – bring your own messages or just come and help.