Anti-war protestors gathered in towns and cities around the world to oppose the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which despite public opposition went ahead a little over a month later. Evidence in the Chilcot report published on Wednesday, is vindication for all those who took part in anti-war protests, specifically those opposing British involvement.
Demonstrators reached the hundreds of thousands in central London, in what became the UK’s biggest public protest, with smaller protests taking place across the country including in Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester. Outside of organised protests, many people held their own local gatherings, displayed posters in windows, distributed leaflets and wore badges and t-shirts as a mark of opposition.
Against the background of mass protests, Tony Blair directly addressed those who marched in a speech warning of “bloody consequences” if Iraq was not confronted. He emphasised that he did not “seek unpopularity as a badge of honour ... but sometimes it is the price of leadership and the cost of conviction”.
On Wednesday, Blair expressed “sorrow, regret and apology” for some mistakes he made in planning the conflict, and that he accepted “full responsibility without exception or excuse” for the consequences of the war.
Did you oppose the 2003 invasion of Iraq? Did you take part in an organised demonstration? What did your involvement mean to you? Wherever, and however, you opposed the war, we’d like you to share your memories, thoughts and reflections with us.
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