UK Protesters march against Nato summit

August 31st, 2014

David Schulberg

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Around 1,000 protesters have marched peacefully through the streets of Newport ahead of next week’s Nato summit

Hundreds of anti-war protesters marched peacefully through Newport on Saturday, days before the Welsh town is to host world leaders at the Nato summit.

More than 150 heads of state and ministers will attend the two-day event at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort.

Security for the summit will be provided by 9,500 police officers drawn from 43 UK police forces with 12 miles of security fencing 9ft tall already in place at key sites in Cardiff and Newport.

The event will be “uncharted territory” for police – while Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones has said it will be “momentous” in his country’s history.

However, its presence in the principality – and the UK – has been met with strong opposition from a number of anti-war groups as well as left-wing organisations.

The demonstrators held placards against Nato involvement in conflicts around the world and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans.
Chris Nineham, vice chairman of Stop the War Coalition, said the worsening situation in Iraq was a direct result of the “invasion and occupation of Iraq that started in 2003″.

“The idea again that what we need is more of the same – we need more Western bombs, we need more Western arms into the country – is ludicrous and again has to be opposed,” he said.
Another demonstration is scheduled for Thursday, the first day of the Nato summit.

Security fencing has been set up outside the Celtic Manor Resort, which will host the summit, and Cardiff Castle, where the summit’s official dinner will take place.

Despite an increase in Britain’s threat level on Friday, Gwent Police Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas said security plans were already being made at the highest level and need not be altered.

“In terms of the policing operation in general for the NATO summit, they are well on track,” Thomas said.
He added that the increased police presence in Wales won’t cause problems for forces in the rest of the United Kingdom.