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French, German rallies demand Afghanistan pullout
Thousands of people in France and Germany took to the streets over the weekend, calling for soldiers deployed in Afghanistan to be brought home, police and march organizers said. Both countries have parliamentary votes coming up on the issue. Over 5,000 people demonstrated in Berlin and Stuttgart Saturday to protest the decision to prolong the deployment of German troops in Afghanistan, police from both cities said.Demonstrators, who had been mobilized by 250 pacifist groups and trade-union organizations, carried banners with slogans including "Give peace a chance - Bring the troops back from Afghanistan." At least 3,300 people rallied in Berlin and a further 2,000 in Stuttgart, although the event organizers put the total figure at 7,000 people. In France, marches calling for the recall of French troops in Afghanistan took place in about 10 towns across the country, organized by political activists, trades unions and several left-wing opposition political parties. In Paris, 3,000 people took part in a march - 2,000 according to police. Opposition parties backing the demonstrations included the Greens, the Communist Party, and the far left Revolutionary Communist League. The march took place two days ahead of a parliamentary vote on the France's deployment in Afghanistan. Posted by: Fred 2008-09-22 |
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