During the afternoon event, people discussed new media, asylum seekers, anti-racism, privatisation, the international situation and the anti-war movement. There was a young people's space in the sun and lots of asylum seekers came and contributed to the discussion.
As Pete from Chorlton reported back in "The Mancunion",
The future of politics is DIY. We're not just against war; we're against the system that creates war. We have to work together with the many millions worldwide who want a better world. We are part of the world social forum movement and we want our thoughts, voices and actions to show that there are better ways to get things done. Afterwards a banner went up at a military parade outside the Town Hall. The police weighed in violently with two arrests. The banner read "Another World is Possible" - if only they could read!It was a great day but marred by one event: as people were leaving the building, two young activists went to the edge of Albert Square where a military band was putting on a display and unfurled a banner saying "Another world is possible". The police completely over reacted and within minutes a dozen police officers were present. Two people were arrested, not those who had displayed the banner, and taken to Bootle Street Police station. One was released after being cautioned but the other, James Thorne, from Manchester University, was released later. However, he had to report to Bootle Street the following day, which he did with legal representation. He has now been charged with a public order offence and with assaulting a police officer.
Theses charges have serious consequences. James completely refutes theses charges. He is a former British army officer and has play an important and critical role in the anti-war movement in Manchester. STOP PRESS: James was in court at the end of January, and won!
Launched by the Manchester Stop the War Coalition, the People's Assembly is not a one-off event. It will be meeting every three months in order to exchange information and plan further actions. It will involve as broad a range of groups and individuals as possible. The second People's Assembly was held on Saturday 4 October.
Richard Searle, Greater Manchester Coalition to Stop the War (07760 224 580, [email protected])
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