Anti-war protest hits road

Mar 20 2007 By Emma Cullwick

A COACHLOAD of anti-war campaigners from Birmingham are to descend on Westminster today in a bid to force Parliament to debate the issue.

Birmingham MP John Hemming (Lib Dem, Yardley) will be among the scores of delegates from across the country who are heading to London as part of the Stop the War Coalition and People's Assembly joint campaign.

Mr Hemming is expected to be among a handful of MPs who will debate British foreign policy with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Respect MP George Galloway, who earlier this month met with rapturous applause during a visit to the Birmingham branch of the coalition, will also be addressing Parliament with his anti-war views.

Thousands of demonstrators are also anticipated to gather in Parliament Square, armed with placards representing the four years of the anti-war movement.

Salma Yaqoob, Respect councillor and chairwoman for the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition, said the event was a long time overdue.

"It promises to be the debate this country should have had a long time ago," she said.

For more information about the campaignn visit the website www.stopwar.org.uk