Anti-war didn't mean we were pacifists

Just because someone is anti-war does not mean that they agree with the civil carnage taking place in another country.

I for one did take part in the anti-war demonstrations, not because I'm a pacifist or don't agree with war. Far from it. I took part because I didn't agree with the government's fast changing, disingenuous reasons for going ahead.

I won't go into this as you can probably recall my arguments from a recent letter. And as for anti-war demonstrators only standing up and shouting for selective causes, well there are so many injustices in the world you need to start somewhere, or at least let the government know that we are thinking people who will challenge them when we believe that what they are doing is not right. We are blessed with the freedom of speech. We should use it.

I, as many of my schoolmates and friends know, actively campaign through petitions etc. against the sorts of violence taking place in Africa through Amnesty International and Islamic Human Rights Commission.

So please, before generalising and prejudging people, you should realise that this is the kind of ignorance which leads to serious problems.

All I have left to say is that your observations Mrs Hardy, say nothing about the anti-war demonstrators as much as they say about the government. If our government really cared about such tyranny and oppression as they said they did when waging war on Iraq, they would also have done so against the leaderships or rebel groups responsible for the horrific activities which are a daily occurrence in Africa.

I and a large number of people who may not have agreed with the war in Iraq, would stand firmly by that decision. But no, it seems our government works on principles which involve double standards and helps only when it can see some personal gain.

I think that's what the anti-war protesters were demonstrating against. Well, that was my reason anyway.

Miss L Zafrani

Derby Street

Daubhill