G8 Protestors' Thoughts Are With Bombing Victims

G8 Protestors' Thoughts Are With Bombing Victims

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7TH JULY

Our thoughts are with all of those killed and wounded in this morning's bombings in London. These bombings targeted innocent people who were travelling by bus and underground. We urge everyone to rally round the people of London and in particular, those working for the emergency services who are dealing with the aftermath of these bombings.

London has witnessed the biggest anti-war demonstrations in British history when millions took to the streets against the war in Iraq on February 15th 2003. These bombings happened after the biggest ever peaceful protest in Scotland's history against world poverty on Saturday July 2nd.

G8 Alternatives is a peaceful, non-violent organisation bringing together organisations and individuals opposed to the pro-war and pro-privatisation agenda of the G8. Acts of terrorism as witnessed today do nothing to challenge the G8 leaders. This week we organised the biggest ever political conference in Scotland's history to discuss strategies to make a better world possible and a peaceful protest at Gleneagles.

We believe that these bombings are a consequence of Britain's aggressive foreign policy. One of G8 Alternatives key demands is that Britain withdraw troops from Iraq. We call on everyone to rally to continue to work for global peace and justice.

Rosemarie Mcllwhan of the Scottish Human Rights Centre says, 'We condemn these bombings and any use of violence. The UK is a multicultural and multiracial society and we would remind the government that they must uphold human rights and promote good community relations in any response in dealing with terrorism.'

Gill Hubbard spokesperson for G8 Alternatives says, 'Our thoughts are with all of those killed and wounded in this morning's terrorist bombings in London. The British government cannot avoid its responsibility for these terrible attackes, which are a consequence of its support for war and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must redouble our efforts for global peace and justice.'

Rose Gentle mother of Gordon Gentle who was killed in Iraq says 'I feel ill thinking of all the families that have lost love ones. Blair should bring the troops home now.'

David Miller said "What happened today in London is all too familiar to the Iraqi people living under US/UK occupation. Our thoughts should be with all the civilian victims of war and violence, in London, Baghdad and elsewhere, as we try to build a world without war. The government should not use these terrible attacks as a pretext to push through their anti-democratic policies on ID cards and civil liberties."

Osama Saeed of the Muslim Association of Britain said "If indeed the perpetrators of these heinous acts call themselves Muslims, they should know their actions have nothing to do with Islam which upholds the sanctity of life as paramount. There can be absolutely no justification for the taking of innocent lives. The MAB with its unique insight into the Muslim world has warned for a considerable time that the root causes of terror need to be addressed. With this in mind we were central to the movement against the war in Iraq, which even the security services and the CIA warned would increase the threat on this country, not reduce it."

CONTACTS
Gill Hubbard - one of the organisers of the peaceful march and rally at
Gleneagles and G8 Alternatives spokesperson 07985797022
David Miller - one of the organisers of the G8 Alternatives summit 07786927551
Rosemarie McIlwhan, Scottish Human Rights Centre - 07799268240 or 01413325315
Rose Gentle - mother of Gordon Gentle who was killed in Iraq 07951767530
Osama Saeed Muslim Association of Britain 07813036238

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