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Protesters gather in Northwood to demand an end to Afghanistan war
ANTI-war demonstrators assembled outside Northwood Headquarters to demand an end to the current conflict in Afghanistan.
More than 20 members of the London Catholic Worker movement gathered at the gates of the NATO military base, in Sandy Lane, to hold a vigil and read out the names of the British soldiers and Afghan civilians who have perished in the war.
The peaceful protest, which took place on Wednesday (29), saw many carrying placards with anti-war slogans and images of those who have lost their lives.
Among those present was Ciaran O'Reilly, who managed to climb over a metal fence and infiltrate the base, negotiating razor wire. He was questioned and searched, before being released.
Mr O'Reilly (pictured left), 50, said: "We have been going to Northwood Headquarters for the past 10 years, since the war began, but Catholic Workers have been protesting against violence and war since the 1930s.
"The base has played a key role in major conflicts, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, the Falklands and Iraq, and we are trying to send a message to the government that we don't want war, or to be a part of it.
"We also took the opportunity to demand the release of political prisoners who have been wrongly arrested for exposing war crimes - including US soldier, Private Bradley Manning."
The London Catholic Worker, a pacifist organisation, focuses its resistance on the 'war on terror', nuclear weapons and the arms trade.
Despite spending time in prison for protesting against war, Mr O'Reilly, who was born in Brisbane, Australia, and now lives in Haringey, north London, is determined to continue fighting for the cause.
He added: "The protest marked 20 years since myself and three others damaged a B52 Bomber at a New York Air Force Base, on January 1, 1991.
"It took place 15 days before the intensive bombing campaign over Iraq and as a result, the Bomber was taken out of action for the length of the first Gulf War.
"I spent 13 months in jail in Louisiana, Texas, but I have a faith-based approach to life and that's what keeps me going.
"We are now 10 years into a war on Afghanistan and 20 years into a war on Iraq.
"The only way out of this mess is non-violent resistance and the pro-active solidarity that sustains it.
"Our protest is all about raising awareness and it's important our voices are heard."
What do you think? Email Gazette reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk or post a comment below.
Contributed pictures by Marcin Gulbicki and Miriam Johnson
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