Human Shields | 10-02-03
‘Not
in My Name!’
Some
people are putting their lives on the line to stop the war.
Taking
to the streets in protest against war in Iraq is one thing. But making yourself
into 'a human shield' in a bid to stop the aggression takes quite another order
of courage altogether. Undaunted, three busloads of people have recently departed
for Iraq to put their lives on the line and show solidarity with the Iraqi people.
Derek Thorne catches up with them in London.
Listen to Derek Thorne's audio report
(mp3).
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for other sound formats.
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MPs have expressed their concern. Sections of the UN have urged restraint. Members of the public have protested. And still, the impending war with Iraq seems more probable with every passing day. But where all of the above may fail, could three double-decker buses carrying volunteers to Baghdad succeed?
‘Truth Justice Peace’ is the organisation behind the Human Shields project the latest and most direct attempt to subdue the threat of war in the Gulf. In this first convoy, at least 30 volunteers left London on a lengthy overland journey to Baghdad they will travel through France, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, and Turkey on their way to the Iraqi border. The buses will pick up further volunteers on the way, and the aim is to arrive in the Iraqi capital by the 8th of February.
It takes some degree of commitment simply to take to the streets and mount an anti-war protest but being a human shield is another level entirely. To these people, the aggression of some western governments has gone many steps too far, and the blame for what might happen in Iraq over the coming months does not merely rest with those in power.
Peter van Dyke, one of the human shields, summed up their mood when he spoke to the media. ‘We are responsible for this possible war, because we democratically elect these governments. So, the question is, what are we going to do about it? If we continue to allow the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom to squander our tax money, our children’s future is covered in blood. Not in my name, Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair.’
The mission is already clear. Upon arrival, the volunteers will occupy areas that would affect innocent people if the bombing began schools and hospitals, for example. The coalition hopes that these bus loads are only the beginning, with more convoys planned over the coming weeks.
Stefan Simanowitz, one of the founding organisers, said that the volunteers already involved were a truly diverse group: ‘One thing about these human shields is that they come from all different walks of life, all different backgrounds, all different ages. And there’s one thing that links all these people, and that’s an incredible personal courage, as well as an unswerving belief that this war cannot be allowed to happen.’
The effort has attracted support from a number of organisations, including the Green Party, Stop the War Coalition, and the UK Muslim Parliament. The writer and activist Noam Chomsky has also put his weight behind the project, saying: ‘I would like to express my strongest support and encouragement for these brave actions.’
See the Universal Kinship Society website for more information on the Human Shield Mission.
See also:
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NI
316 Iraq |
NI
330 Globocops |
NI
340 Twin Terrors |
NI
345 Islam |
Other relevant NI articles:
Eduardo Galeano on the symbols of war - December 2001
Oil and the Islamists - December 2001
World media response to 11 September attacks - October 2001
Greasing the machine: Bush and the oil cronies - June 2001
Iraqi artist's image based on his torture in Iraq - September 2000
UN officials resign protesting at sanctions - May 2000
Death of a little poet - November 1998
Deaths of children due to UN sanctions - Jan/Feb 1998
Arms dealer on supplying Saddam - July 1991
UK arms sales to Iraq scandal & cover-up - November 1994
Take Action!
Feb 15 - Demonstrate Against War on Iraq
On the 15th of February, anti-war protestors will be demonstrating in cities
around the world against war on Iraq. In London, a special Valentine's Day 'Make
Love Not War!' evening of events is planned featuring music, poetry, film and
speeches. Check out the Stop
the War Coalition website to find out what's going on in a city near you.
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