Report (news release) on Sheffield Protests 31-10-02

Answering Tony Benn’s call to ‘Stop the City; Stop the War’ protests have taken place all over Sheffield today, Thursday 31st October. They’ve been big and small, the point’s been serious (Don’t Attack Iraq) but a lot of them have been a lot of fun as well. The biggest event, a rally in front of the peace gardens in the city centre, attracted over 600 people. While earlier in the day 80-100 people took to their bikes to join a ‘Bikes Not Bombs’ demonstration, stopping morning rush hour traffic. Lunch time saw 40 people demonstrating in Burngreave, while others protested in front of the Northern General Hospital, and public meetings were held in the Unison offices and other city centre locations at many of which antiwar films were shown. Meanwhile around 100 students from Sheffield University Student Stop the War Coalition marched from the Students’ Union to the Engineering building on Mappin Street, occupied it, and are preparing to spend the night there.

More information on selected actions and quotes from those involved follow:

Student Occupation:
At 12 noon, students congregated for a rally on the university concourse. By 1pm about 100 had marched to the Engineering building on Mappin Street. After a very short confrontation with security guards Student Stop the War Coalition occupied the building. And they intend to remain there until tomorrow morning, with over 20 students sleeping on the floor in the ground floor reception area. The engineering department was targeted because of its links with Boeing Corporation, a company that produces many of the arms that would be used in an attack on Iraq.

Emily Walker a first year French and Spanish student explains why she is occupying her university: “For me being involved with things is an act for faith. I believe you should stand up for the poor, give voice to the voiceless, and fight for the rights of the oppressed. Occupation is saying with your whole life that you’re passionate about something. As students we don’t have the power to go on strike, but this is something that we can do, individually, communally and nationally, to make a difference. I really wasn’t sure at first whether this was something I wanted to do. But then I thought would Jesus be here and I thought he would. I think it’s been fantastic.”

Jenny Brown a first year Politics student adds: “It’s to try and make an impact. To draw people’s attention to the situation and encourage other people to take a stand. This is my first time taking in part in anything like this. I’m doing it because we haven’t been considered at all. It’s going to be done in our – British people’s – names, but our point of view hasn’t been considered. The people of Iraq’s point of view hasn’t been considered either.”

Bikes Not Bombs:
Starting in Devonshire Green at 7.30am 80-100 people using non-oil dependent transport (bikes and feet) took part in a ‘critical mass’ protest, holding up traffic on the Ring Road for over an hour. The action was in order to highlight the link between our use of oil, and the power of the oil companies who supply it, and the drive to war in Iraq. Motorists who were held up on their way to work were given leaflets that apologised for the delay but explained that direct action was necessary as politicians weren’t listening. One of the organisers, Steve, comments: “we are sorry for the inconvenience we caused; we were not there to annoy the general public. However I think that although some people were quite angry others were glad we were there since we got a lot of thumbs up from passing drivers.” When asked why he’d taken part in organising this action he quotes Tony Blair: “Inaction is not an option.”

City Centre Rally:
From 4.30pm over 600 people gathered in the city centre in front of the Peace Gardens. They came with banners, signs and placards. Many came in fancy dress. And, in the Halloween spirit, a giant caricatured ‘Blair Witch’ head hovered. Sheffield Socialist Choir sang, Sheffield Samba Band played, and speakers included Yvonne Ridley (Express journalist, imprisoned by the Taliban, who had come to Sheffield specifically to take part in the days antiwar actions), Musheir El-Farra (from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign), Tony Pearson, (Unison Regional Officer), as well as people giving the crowd news of protests they’d participated in all across the city. Among the diverse throng of protestors was Stuart, a veteran from the first Gulf War. After seeing war up close he’s determined it isn’t the answer: “Politicians are sending young men out to die when all these troubles can be sorted out by talking.”

‘Ad-hoc’ March to Mappin Street:
At 6.30, immediately after the city centre rally, about 100 protestors moved off from the Peace Gardens and, led by the Samba band, made their way (again holding up traffic) to join the Student Occupation on Mappin Street. With over a dozen people playing percussion instruments and most of the protestors dancing their way through the streets there was a real party atmosphere. Emma, part of Sheffield Samba band explains: “Everyone’s had such a good time and that’s what it’s all about: making a point but having a good time as well. Everyone knows the serious stuff but the way to involve people is to have fun. Samba bands have a very strong tradition in this country of being liked to resistance. Music makes demos more fun.”

A selection of photos of some of the protests:

Bikes Not Bombs:
End of Bikes Not Bombs:
City Centre Rally:
Samba Band Marching:
Student Occupation: