By Amir Suhail

Thousands of peace activists protested at Rawalpindi on November 6. They demanded an immediate end to American bombing of Afghanistan and to "stop the war!". They also denounced the terror of religious fundamentalism. The Alliance of Peace and Justice organized the rally. This is an aggregate of hundreds of civil society organizations and left wing political parties including the Labour Party of Pakistan.

The protesters gathered at Rawalpindi Press Club and later marched along the main Muree Road. The rally was over a kilometre long with hundreds of banners. Police estimated over 5000 in attendance but according to the organizers of the rally, the number who participated was more than 8000. They came from all over Pakistan including far off places of Baluchistan and Sind. The bulk of the participants came from the North West Frontier Province and Punjab.

The Labour Party Pakistan from Rawalpindi mobilized over 12 coaches with over 500 workers from a working class district where the majority is from the railways.

The demonstration started with slogans of: "US imperialism, stop bombing Afghanistan; Bush, Stop bombing; No to religious terrorism, No to war; Struggle is our path, those with US imperialism are not friends of the people; Stop religious fanaticism; No to military government of Musharaf; We want peace and not war; and War is no solution."

There were many women at the rally who actively participated in this historic peace rally.

Speaking at the end of the rally, the spokesman for the Alliance, Irfan Mufti told that this is the start and we demand an immediate end of US bombing of Afghanistan. He said we have no sympathy with the religious fundamentalists. We are totally opposed to the terror of religious fanatics but we can not side with US imperialism who are bombing indiscriminately Afghan cities. Many innocent citizens have died.