TROOPS SPECIAL REPORT: Hopes for a peaceful alternative

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Sunday 9th Feb 2003.

PROTESTS against potential military action in Iraq have already been held and more are on the way.

A peace vigil will be held in Westbury town centre at noon on February 15.

The peaceful demonstration will give people a chance to sign a petition against the looming war, and will be sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Spokesman Alison Irving said: "There is increasing concern and opposition to the war with Iraq. A national demo day has been organised by the Stop the War Coalition in London on February 15. Most people will not be able to travel to London for this. I believe we should hold our own anti-war demonstration in our town centres.

"Coaches are leaving Chippenham for the national anti-war demonstration in the capital next Saturday."

Peace vigils were held in Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon last month. More than 100 people congregated in the Westbury House Gardens, Bradford on Avon for an hour of silent prayer.

The Trowbridge Ad Hoc Peace Group have been holding protests in the town centre for the past 10 weeks and say they will continue until the threat of war comes to an end.

Peace groups believe there is a alternative to conflict.

Catherine Willis, 57, is a member of the Trowbridge Ad Hoc Peace Group.

She said: "A war will create a humanitarian disaster for the Iraqi people who could turn to terrorism as a way of dealing with the injustice.

"Anything war can do peace can do better."

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