News • 16 February 2003

EU debate takes a break with anti-war demo

By Matthew Vella

Europhiles and eurosceptics took time off from the EU debate deadlock suspending their feud in mid-air yesterday to join forces in an anti-war protest against war on Iraq.
Grey skies and unrelenting rain did little to discourage a handsome turnout in what was probably Malta’s largest ever anti-war demonstration. A colourful and varied display of ideologies and slogans braved the sombre weather to broadcast a message of peace, tracing the road from Blata l-Bajda to Valletta.
Marching to the sound of heavy dub beats and dance music, banners and posters used strong language aimed at US president George W Bush, who was the target for protestors all over the globe on what was dubbed International Protest Day.
A demonstration in London recorded a figure of close to a million protestors, whilst an estimated 30,000 marched in Glasgow. Similar demonstrations were staged in Dublin, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Berlin, Kiev, Athens and Madrid.
In Malta Moviment Graffitti met up with Front Maltin Inqumu in Floriana and the protesters left Blata l-Bajda in the early afternoon. The protest, organised by Moviment Graffitti, was joined by other organisations, including Alternattiva Demokratika, Greenpeace, Azzjoni Pozittiva, GLUE, Third World Group, Koperattiva Kummerc Gust, Jesuit Refugee Service, and MOVE!
A mixed group of academics, anti-EU activists, Greens, environmentalists, anarchists and one Stalinist relic sporting a hammer and sickle, joined forces to protest what they believe is America’s planned plunder of Iraqi oil reserves.
Fifty metres down the procession, Palestinian nationals joined the peace march, displaying a large Palestinian flag, accompanied by tens of other protestors sporting keffiyahs.
Chris Mizzi, from Moviment Graffitti said the protest was a success and the response from the people was "wonderful":
"It is difficult to have such a big turnout in Malta, but despite the weather, the people still came sending a clear message against war on Iraq. We are now waiting for the Maltese government to take a strong position against the war. Hopefully, there won’t be just amorous banter when the Prime Minister meets Tony Blair on Tuesday."
Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ralph Cassar said AD were supporting French-German efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis: "AD is proud to be part of an international movement, which includes Greens and other progressive movements opposed to war. German Green Foreign Minister Joshka Fisher has emerged as a voice of reason in international relations. We also recognise the Vatican’s positive diplomatic contribution."
"Military intervention in Iraq would strengthen fundamentalism and extremism in the region. It will also have a negative impact on the peace process in the Middle East, besides weakening moderate Arab governments," Cassar added.
AD said it supports the stand taken by France, Germany and Belgium and appealed to the Malta government to collaborate with other European Countries that are seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis.
MOVE! media officer Henry Curmi Dimech appealed to the Maltese government and civil society to oppose any military action that could put at risk the lives of innocent Iraqi civilians.