Press Release

24th February 2003

“Voices on the Railings”

Dozens of ribbons and colourful cards with pictures, messages and poems expressing the opposition of local people to the coming war were tied to railings in Buxton on Saturday. “Voices on the Railings is an idea that has caught on in other parts of the country and many families and especially children have found this a way to tell our government that they are not happy about us going to war,” said one of the organisers. One of the children had drawn a picture of a bomber crossed out with bold red lines showed how she felt about the coming conflict. “Don’t attack Iraq because children will die and so I’m putting my picture on the railings” she said. Amongst the adults present was one of the many local people who came along to help because of her strong feeling against the war, she said: “War against Iraq may seem to be inevitable but we are hoping that the continuing strength of public opinion will prevent Blair and Bush pursuing further war beyond the invasion of Iraq. I believe that all world leaders should focus on the battle against terrorism through co-operation and intelligence gathering and not by using terrorism as an excuse for war”.

Sadly High Peak Borough Council has said they will take down any messages put up by the people of Buxton even though they might personally be in sympathy with the case against war. So the next opportunity for local people to make their voice heard will be at the Public Meeting on the 14th March at the United Reform Church Hall beginning at 7.30pm when well known anti-war speakers will put the case against war. Our MP Tom Levitt as one of the guest speakers will represent the governments case for war. The other speakers will be Richard Searle of Greater Manchester Stop the War and Mary Little field from the Glossop Stop the War Campaign. Everyone is welcome to come along and express their opinion on this very serious and important issue.

In the meantime Tony Blair has received an impressive music CD compiled from recordings of local artists who performed on the day of the National Demonstration at a social in aid of Buxton Against the War at Watsons and Co. in Buxton. “We are absolutely against war.” said the organiser of the social. “A number of local bands gave their time and energy to provide a wonderful evening’s entertainment. It was an absolute sell out and we are very appreciative of the unstinting generosity of all those who gave their time and talents.” The copy of the recording for Tony Blair has been sent with the signatures and photographs of the performers with a covering letter explaining that the event was in support of the local Stop the War Campaign. One of the performers, who also helped organise the recordings, said the words of one particular song summed up neatly what the CD was all about - “Maybe its imaginary we’re going to war, murdering of innocents, whose side will it be for? We hope Tony Blair gets the message,” she said.