Apathy amid Iraq protests

Apathy amid Iraq protests

Dozens of people attended the vigil

A noisy vigil against war in Iraq has been staged in Wrexham, but support for other planned anti-war demos in the region has been muted.

The Wrexham event, organised by members of the Wrexham Against War group, was held just hours after the first military strikes against Saddam Hussein's regime.

Dozens of people attended the protest chanting: "Stop the war".

However, many people in north east Wales have said there is no point voicing their concerns as they are not listened to.

However, protester Rob Williams from Gresford near Wrexham said people should continue to voice their concerns.

I've had a number of students who are offended with the anti war material which has been distributed

Ceri Wood NEWI Students Union

"It's important that we're still here and it's important that we register our objections," he said.

"We weren't really sure when the war was going to start so it was difficult to organise things.

"Wrexham actually hasn't been that apathetic, we've had a great number of demonstrations and the responses we've received have been really positive."

Genny Bove from Wrexham Against War said she is thinking about all those involved in military action.

"Now that war is here, we hope that all our soldiers and other members of the forces return safely.

Parents attended with their children

"We hope that there are no casualties of war - Iraqi, British or American - because every casualty is somebody's husband, son, brother, wife, daughter, sister or baby, and every life lost is a life wasted.

"We believe that all lives are of equal value, from the smallest, poorest child to the biggest, most powerful politician.

Throughout Wales council workers and schoolchildren have walked out in protest of the war.

However, there has not been similar people protests in Denbighshire, Flintshire or Wrexham.

Staff at the North East Wales Institute (NEWI), a higher education college in Wrexham, have reported no incidents on campus.

Further vigil

Vice president of the students union Ceri Wood said they will not be drawn on the issue of war.

"I've had a number of students who are offended with the anti war material which has been distributed,"

"I'm not going to actively encourage students not to go to lessons and as far as I'm aware that hasn't happened.

"However, it is the topic of conversation and everyone is talking about it."

News of the first strikes have sent shock waves throughout the region.

In Llay near Wrexham the parents of Michael Garnett, a staff sergeant in the Second Battalion Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers said they feared for his safety.

"It has been very emotional - it has started and there is no going back," said his mother Dorothy Garnett.

A vigil against the war was also held at 1700GMT on Thursday outside Tesco in Mold.

There will be another rally at midday on Friday in Wrexham.

Plaid Cymru AM Janet Ryder is expected to be one of the speakers.