Anti-war protesters take to city streets

Anti-war protesters take to city streets

Hundreds of protesters joined the march

Bristol was brought to a standstill on Saturday afternoon as anti-war campaigners marched through the streets.

Police say between 500 and 700 demonstrators disrupted traffic as they walked through the city centre.

An Esso petrol station along the route was forced to close when a number of protesters climbed onto its roof.

A total of five people were arrested, but police say the atmosphere was for the most part peaceful.

Aggravated trespass

Superintendent Lawrie Lewis of Avon and Somerset Police said: "Two people were arrested for aggravated trespass following the incident at the Esso filling station.

"A further three people were arrested during the rest of the march - one for breach of bail conditions, one for causing an obstruction and another for breach of the peace.

"It went as well as we could hope, with the greater mass who wanted to protest peacefully able to do so."

As the war enters its second week, many members of the Stop the War coalition claim support is growing for their cause.

Saturday's protest was the latest in a number of marches and vigils held in the city since the war began.