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Protesters urge end to Afghan war Protesters urge end to Afghan war
(about 1 hour later)
Soldiers and military families are among 5,000 protesters in London demonstrating against UK military operations in Afghanistan. Soldiers and military families were among 5,000 protesters in London demonstrating against UK military operations in Afghanistan.
The Stop the War Coalition says it is the first march against the Afghan war since the conflict began in 2001. The Stop the War Coalition says it was the first march against the Afghan war since the conflict began in 2001.
L/Cpl Joe Glenton, of York, who faces a court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan, is leading the march. L/Cpl Joe Glenton, of York, who faces a court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan, led the protest march.
The government said Afghanistan must become "stable and secure" before Nato forces could pull out.The government said Afghanistan must become "stable and secure" before Nato forces could pull out.
'Disobeying orders''Disobeying orders'
The death of British corporal James Oakland, of the Royal Military Police, in a blast on Thursday took the number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 222.The death of British corporal James Oakland, of the Royal Military Police, in a blast on Thursday took the number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 222.
The protesters gathered at Speakers' Corner, in Hyde Park. They then set off for Trafalgar Square, where speakers including MP George Galloway and campaigner Tariq Ali are addressing the crowd. The protesters gathered at Speakers' Corner, in Hyde Park. They then set off for Trafalgar Square, where speakers including MP George Galloway and campaigner Tariq Ali addressed the crowd.
The Metropolitan Police estimated that 5,000 people took part.
Some of the crowds chanted "Gordon Brown, terrorist" while others sang "What do we want? Troops out".Some of the crowds chanted "Gordon Brown, terrorist" while others sang "What do we want? Troops out".
L/Cpl Glenton is also due to give a speech, despite being advised not to do so by military commanders. L/Cpl Glenton told the BBC it had been "touch and go" whether he would be arrested by military police for taking part.
Andrew Burgin, from the Stop the War Coalition, told the BBC News website: "He has just been told by his commanding officer that he should not enter the demonstration and he should not speak. Britain's own security is at risk if we again allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists Ministry of Defence spokesman class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/8322676.stm">Soldier 'proud' of anti-war march class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8323935.stm">Protesters rail against 'futile' war
Britain's own security is at risk if we again allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists Ministry of Defence spokesman class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/8322676.stm">Soldier 'proud' of anti-war march class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8292771.stm">Most 'remain against Afghan war' His court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan is due to be held next month. At the moment he is confined to barracks on weekdays.
"He has decided to disobey those military orders." Defending his appearance at the demonstration, he said: "This is my choice.
L/Cpl Glenton, based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is facing a court martial in November for alleged desertion after going absent without leave in 2007. "Somewhere down the line it's all going to come apart and people are going to be prosecuted for these things."
In an interview with BBC Radio York, L/Cpl Glenton's wife Claire said he was "proud" to be taking part in the march. 'It's scary stuff'
Lindsey German, convener of the coalition, said it would be the first time a serving soldier had openly attended a national anti-war demonstration. L/Cpl Glenton said people who believed he had brought disgrace upon the British Army were "entitled to their opinion".
"This shows how deep feeling against the war in Afghanistan goes," she said. He said: "I think what I am doing is in the British interest. I take my duty very seriously."
"Barack Obama and Gordon Brown will soon find that this war turns out to be their Vietnam if they keep pouring in troops." The soldier could be sent to prison for going absent without leave in 2007, something he said he was not looking forward to.
Also speaking in Trafalgar Square will be Peter Brierley whose son, L/Cpl Shaun Brierley, was killed in Iraq. He said: "It's scary stuff, I have a wife and a family.
"I don't want to [go to prison] but if I gone back [to Afghanistan] and been involved in that and caused the deaths of innocent people then I would never be able to shrug that off, I would never had been free.
"The fact that I said no is fairly liberating, I can assure you."
Another speaker in Trafalgar Square was Peter Brierley whose son, L/Cpl Shaun Brierley, was killed in Iraq.
Mr Brierley, from Batley in West Yorkshire, confronted former Prime Minister Tony Blair at a memorial service at London's St Paul's Cathedral, telling him: "You have my son's blood on your hands."Mr Brierley, from Batley in West Yorkshire, confronted former Prime Minister Tony Blair at a memorial service at London's St Paul's Cathedral, telling him: "You have my son's blood on your hands."
Speaking at the demonstration, he said: "They [the military] are not doing any good while they are over there.
"They need to leave the country to sort itself out. While the British troops are there they are actually bringing in insurgents who are coming in to fight."
'Key to security''Key to security'
Meanwhile, a survey suggests that public support for the war has fallen further. The YouGov survey for Channel 4 News found that 62% of those questioned wanted British troops withdrawn in the coming year at the latest.Meanwhile, a survey suggests that public support for the war has fallen further. The YouGov survey for Channel 4 News found that 62% of those questioned wanted British troops withdrawn in the coming year at the latest.
Of 2,042 adults polled, 6% said that British troops were winning the war, compared with 36% who said they were not winning yet but eventual victory was possible, and 48% who said that victory was not possible.Of 2,042 adults polled, 6% said that British troops were winning the war, compared with 36% who said they were not winning yet but eventual victory was possible, and 48% who said that victory was not possible.
A similar survey in 2007 found that 36% thought that victory was impossible.A similar survey in 2007 found that 36% thought that victory was impossible.
A spokesman for the MoD said on Friday: "It is vital to the UK that Afghanistan becomes a stable and secure state that is able to suppress violent extremism within its borders.A spokesman for the MoD said on Friday: "It is vital to the UK that Afghanistan becomes a stable and secure state that is able to suppress violent extremism within its borders.
"Britain's own security is at risk if we again allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists, and that would be the result if Nato forces were to pull out of the country immediately.""Britain's own security is at risk if we again allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists, and that would be the result if Nato forces were to pull out of the country immediately."
In February 2003, an estimated one million took part in a march in London against the Iraq war.In February 2003, an estimated one million took part in a march in London against the Iraq war.