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Anti-war campaigners were refused access to Downing Street to deliver a letter calling for troops to be pulled out of Afghanistan.
About 100 demonstrators crossed Whitehall to take up a position in front of the gates, chanting and waving banners.
Four organisers of yesterday's Stop the War Coalition rally, including MP Jeremy Corbyn and veteran peace campaigner Tony Benn were told it had "been decided" they would not be allowed access to hand in the letter in No 10.
Police stood at the No 10 gates with more surrounding the protesters who chanted: "What do we want? Troops out. When do we want it? Now."
Their letter, intended for Gordon Brown, read: "The tragic deaths of 15 British soldiers in just over one week... has highlighted the need for British troops to be withdrawn from an unwinnable and unjustified war."
The demonstrators spent another hour at the gates before leaving.
Reader views (7)
Is this not the sort of democratic freedom that we all want Afghanistan to have? If not, what are we there for?
- Colin Macpherson, Gramat France, 14/07/2009 16:59
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The idea of pulling out of Afghanistan is absurd.
You let the Teleban control that desolate country again and we will be witness to many many Twin Tower like atrocities in the future.
These anti-war campaigners are misguided over this issue.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 14/07/2009 16:44
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Pity the police were not as effective with the recent foreign Tamil protesters.
The pole force proving yet again in this case they never appear to disrupt foreign people protesting, just people bought up here.
- P I Staker, London, 14/07/2009 11:58
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As number 10 state it is not a war, they are correct to not allow delivery of the letter unless from the Stop the notta War Coalition rally.
If its not a war why have so many body bags been returned?
- Gary, Brentwood, 14/07/2009 11:09
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It's time for an election or to take to the streets. We need to exercise what few democratic rights we have left before we lose them. How on earth can they justify denying access to voters? Does Brown realise he works for us?
- Mark, London, 14/07/2009 11:04
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HaHa! 100 protestors... that's sooo many
- Adam, London, UK, 14/07/2009 10:45
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Better to send all communications to Gormless Brown by Recorded Delivery - assuming they allow the postman to cross the dividing line between Joe Public and the autocratic jackboot wombles in Downing Street.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 14/07/2009 10:29
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