Thousands across UK tell government: 'Don't Bomb Syria'

Nov 28th, 2015

image: Newcastle Stop the War campaign

Campaigners gathered in 30 major rallies in towns and cities across the UK on Saturday urging the government not to bomb Syria.

Thousands of people, including families with children in pushchairs, church groups, nuns and clergy, and a group of pensioners, assembled in Whitehall outside Downing Street.

Earlier, 23 musicians, politicians, writers and union chiefs wrote the following open letter to David Cameron urging him not to bomb Syria.

Dear Prime Minister,

The current rush to bomb Syria following the terrible events in Paris risks a dangerous escalation which will inflame the war there and increase bitterness against the West. The US has been bombing Isis for a year and admits that Isis is as strong as ever and has continued recruiting.

The experience of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya shows that Western military interventions lead to large scale casualties, devastating destruction and huge flows of refugees.

Far from tackling terrorism, the last fourteen years of war have seen massively increased Jihadi terrorist organisation around the world.

Rather than ignoring this recent history by joining the long list of countries that have bombed Syria in the last year, we urge the government to stop arming reactionary and aggressive regimes like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that sponsor terrorist groups and look for political solutions as the only viable way to end the conflict.

Yours,

Mark Rylance Actor

Brian Eno Musician

Hans von Sponeck Former UN Assistant Secretary-General

Frankie Boyle Comedian

Will Self Writer

Ken Loach Filmmaker

John Pilger Journalist

Owen Jones Journalist

Caryl Churchill Playwright

Francesca Martinez Comedian

Jeremy Hardy Comedian