The War Memorial

What began as an anti-war march through the streets of Cambridge on Thursday 20th March, ended as a sit-in protest at the junction of Hills Road and Regent Street.

Marchers moving away from the War Memorial brought chaos to streets around the city centre as police closed roads to traffic in the middle of a busy weekday afternoon.

The protest in words and pictures >>

Peaceful protest or civil disobedience? Have your say >>

The protesters are certain that participation in anti-war marches is the only way to ensure that their voices are heard, but does everyone agree? Numerous calls to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire seem to suggest otherwise.

Here's what you have to say about the Cambridge anti-war protest marches...

Phil (on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)
"Why do the police allow these people to seize a major crossroads and disrupt 100,000 people? If they'd been football fans, the police would probably have drawn their sticks and got the dogs out - and that's what they should have done on Thursday. The war has already started and the only way it's going to stop now is if we have a victory. So get real - use your loaf, what's the point of demonstrating? I also see that these people have made their mark on the War Memorial with chalk, and I'm surprised that the police allowed them to use that as a focal point of their demonstration."

Richard Cunning - taxi driver
Richard was driving his Panther cab around the city centre during the protests. Luckily for him, he knows all the short cuts: "It was annoying, but still fairly easy to get around if you know what you're doing. The police spoke to taxi and bus drivers before deciding where to put the protesters, ensuring they caused a minimum of disruption to city centre traffic. I think the police did an excellent job of keeping Cambridge moving."

Cab driver Richard Cundell

On the subject of the marchers themselves, he agreed that most of the youngsters should not have been there. "I've got three children myself, and my eldest boy is used to football crowds, but I wouldn't have wanted him in that march. Things could easily get nasty and youngsters wouldn't have a clue what to do in that situation."

Does Richard agree with the sentiments of the marchers? "Well, I've nothing really against laying white flowers on the War Memorial, but hanging posters from it is just desecration."

Reg (on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)
"The police should sell their helicopter so they can have more people on the ground, and buy a water cannon so that they can blast the protesters off the streets."

Anti-war graffiti on Cambridge's War memorial

Simon (on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)
"I went on the demonstration on the 20th March and I'm over 50 years of age. Is anyone thinking that the £2 billion we're spending on this war could be better used for things we really need?

"I think the police were really sensible. They weren't confrontational. They did something about the very, very marginal trouble. Basically, people don't use civil disobedience unless they feel something very very strongly. If people had just walked through Cambridge, the radio wouldn't be covering it in this way - it would have just been a footnote.

"I don't think civil disobedience should be used lightly, but in any democratic society, it is something that has to be used if you feel really strongly. I don't think the young people are using this as a bit of a jolly. I'm very impressed that for the first time in years they've become really engaged in an issue in public life and I think that bodes well for the future of this country."

Bob (on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)
"I agree that everyone has a right to demonstrate in our democratic society, but the thing that incensed me was when I drove past the War Memorial and saw a placard placed on there in memory of the Iraqi people that will be killed by the US and the UK.

Red flowers left in protest at the influx of white poppies

"As this is a memorial to soldiers who gave their lives to save democracy in this country, I was absolutely incensed. Churchill said that we're a nation with short memories and I think it's terrible that people can put that type of placard on a memorial to the Cambridgeshire Regiment and others who gave up their lives. I have torn that poster up and if I'd had the time, I'd have removed the white flowers as well."

White poppies on the memorial

Stuart (on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire)
Stuart was one of the organisers of the demonstration and his wife was one of the women carrying the wreaths of white poppies. "They very carefully placed a banner around the memorial saying 'Never Again' and I understand that has caused a furore. I'd like to say that I served for five years in the RAF and I did not regard what was done yesterday as a desecration. The people who fought and died in WW1 and WW2 fought for that very reason - never again. And so, far from desecrating that memorial, the people who are desecrating the memory of the dead are the people who continue to go to war and think that war is the solution.

"What we were pointing out was that the right way to honour the people who laid down their lives is to seek and maintain peace. The white poppies represent the civilian casualties of wars. Over 85% of deaths in wars are civilian deaths and I say that we are honouring the memory of the dead by focusing people's minds on what these people died for. They died that we should suffer war no more."

What do you think about the Cambridge anti-war marches and demonstrations? More are planned daily, with larger demonstrations due to take place at weekends for the duration of the conflict.

Do you agree with the sentiments of the marchers and their methods, or do you think this is purely civil disobedience and that we should now support our troops as the government suggests?

The protest in words and pictures >>

Peaceful protest or civil disobedience? Have your say >>