MILLIONS OF PEOPLE across Europe will take to the streets tomorrow to protest against a United States-led war on Iraq. Marching under 'Don't attack Iraq' banners, demonstrators hope to send a clear message to US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair that they do not want war. The decision to organise a large-scale anti-war demonstration on February 15 was made at the European Social Forum last November. Eleven European countries agreed to stage a massive protest on that day. Follow-up meetings brought European countries together and plans were made for demonstrations in Amsterdam, Antwerp and Athens through to Vienna and Warsaw. Peace groups in New York have also organised for an anti-war demonstration tomorrow. Organisers expect a record turnout. Andrew Burgin, spokesman for Britain's Stop the War Coalition, says he expects tomorrow's anti-war demonstration in London to be the largest Britain has ever seen. 'We are expecting at least half a million people, possibly a million. Our message is simple: no war against Iraq for whatever reason, whether the United Nations supports an attack or not,' says Mr Burgin. The London demonstration is jointly organised by the Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Muslim Association of Britain. Demonstrators will march through central London to Hyde Park, where the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, former Labour MP Tony Benn and others will deliver anti-war speeches. Pop stars including Blur's Damon Albarn will provide entertainment. Public opposition in Britain to the war is at its peak. A recent BBC survey found that more than 80 per cent of Britons polled were against war. 'Practically no one [in Britain] agrees with Mr Blair's war drive,' says Mr Burgin. Opinion polls show a similar story throughout Europe, with 85 per cent of Austrians, 81 per cent of Swedes, 79 per cent of Italians and 77 per cent of Irish against war. But as opposition to war mounts, the number of troops preparing for battle is also rising. At the latest count, the US had sent 113,000 military personnel to the Gulf and Britain had dispatched more than 42,000. Many believe that war is now inevitable, Mr Burgin says. 'I can't see any way out of it. I wouldn't be surprised if we go to war within a couple of weeks. But we must continue to campaign for peace, we must make ourselves heard.' Hong Kong will also stage a demonstration tomorrow to coincide with the European movement. Organised by Greenpeace and some non-governmental organisations including Oxfam, the Asian Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Peace not War and the Regional Exchange for New Alternatives, the rally will begin at 3pm at Edinburgh Place, outside City Hall. Protesters will walk to the US Consulate on Cotton Tree Drive. With organisers expecting only a few hundred to show up, it will not be on the same scale as demonstrations in Europe, but it will provide a forum for Hong Kong people to express their dissent.
