Stop the War coalition

 A few thoughts after following A LOT of stuff on the BBC and twitter.  No doubt half of it misinformation.

2003:  US and coalition of the willing had invaded Afghanistan and were about to attack Iraq.  Some concern over Palestine.  Various left wing parties and political groups got together for one of the biggest marches ever:

-Some marchers were not aligned with the stop the war coalition.  Some did join however.  Many did not reach the rally point or hear the speeches.  

Groups included Muslim communities and their representatives such as MCB

Without the protest it may have been a lot worse.  They may have gone ahead and attacked Iran.

At the time, a Labour government was in power as well as a Labour Mayor of London. George Bush Jr in USA very much leading the war having exhausted diplomatic channels.

2022: On 28 February, the war had already started.  Right now Ukraine is being invaded on 3 fronts: Belarus, Russia, and the South.  Locals are seen peacefully blocking the tanks.  Social media exists.

Street protests are most visible in Moscow, St Petersburg and across Belarus. 

Black and Asian students complain of discrimination.  Jewish Community and Christians rally, pray, and organise humanitarian support.

At the time, a Conservative government is in power alongside a centre left Joe Biden/ Kamala Harris in the USA, leading with rhetoric and economic sanctions.

United Nations General Assembly passes a motion with a few abstentions and Russia against and blocking a Security Council motion.

The European union plenary welcomes the Ukraine president.

Labour is in opposition and controls City Hall and some councils.

It is unclear whether a mass demonstration will work against a government that won't listen, a UK and Russian billionaire class that lies and buys influence.  Does Ukrainian civil society even want a cease-fire?  Who has the power to end this war?  What about other wars?   With the cost of living and covid, is a big, weekend, march going to be big enough to bring change?  Will it be hijacked by narrow political operators like the SWP?  Can the left bring together its warring factions and Western orientated interests in an age of social media bubbles, cyber?