Liberal Democrat Councillor Jackie Pearcey has hit out at reports that Manchester City Council has banned families who have lost loved ones in Iraq from holding a peace camp in Manchester during the Labour Party Conference. The families have applied to hold their peaceful demonstration, but have been told by the City Council that they are not allowed to do so.
Councillor Jackie Pearcey said:
"These families have suffered the losses of loved ones as a direct result of Government policy. They have a right to let the Labour Party know about their views and the price which they have paid for Tony Blair's war. For the City Council to stifle dissent in this way is disgusting."
Manchester Lib Dem Leader Cllr Simon Ashley added:
"Labour Councillors in Manchester supported the Lib Dem motion to oppose the Iraq war unless there was second UN resolution. Now, they are not even allowing bereaved families to argue that the Council were right and the Labour Government wrong. Talk about hypocrisy!"
Lib Dem Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Shannon, who has spoken at "Manchester Stop the War" public meetings against War in Iraq, stated:
"This Labour Council should be ashamed of themselves. They facilitate a trade fair with links to weaponry business - but won't let military families protest in public for a couple of days before Labour's conference. I urge the Council to allow this peaceful protest."
Ends
Notes to Editors:
Military Families Against the War - part of Stop the War movement - have asked to have a small peace camp next to Town Hall on 21st - Sat 23rd September - BEFORE Labour's Party Conference.
Manchester Council allowed a tented peace camp before, in 2003 in run-up to war.
They also gave permission in 2003 for a full-scale replica of part of the United States military Guantanamo Bay detainment camp to stand for nine days - though not in city centre.
In the same venue as Labour's conference, the Council are this week supporting European Microwave Week 2006. This is "Europe's Premier Microwave, Radio-Frequency, Wireless and Radar Event" - a showcase for warmongers in the Radio-Frequency and Microwave Weapons trade.
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