‘Bombs are dropping, while you’re shopping’: Today’s Syria protest on Oxford Street

We met the angry protesters and some very confused shoppers

8 years ago

Christmas shopping is now fully underway, but today there was something more political in the air on Britain’s busiest street.

Instead of picking up a new blender or some novelty bits from M&M’s World, hundreds of people marched through Central London against last week’s government decision to bomb Syria and go to war with ISIS.

Three days after Tony Blair argued Britain’s case for entering the war in Iraq in 2002, at least 150,000 people turned up in London to protest. Now 13 years later a few thousand – at a push – turned out to protest against the bombing of Syria.

There wasn’t a Facebook event for the Iraq war protests, but over 14,000 people claimed to be attending today’s demonstration and didn’t show. Whether we, as a nation of angry people, have lost our appetite for protesting or this generation are simply less politically active than the last – the turnout noticeably fell short.

Less people marched for Syria than the disappointing amount who stood against the scrapping of maintenance grants last month.

We went along to the march from Oxford Street to Westminster to speak to those protesting and bumped into a few very confused shoppers along the way.

Rose and Finan – both 22

“We made this sign for the Iraq war protest when we were just 10 years old. The situation in Syria feels very similar to Iraq and we have to make a statement that bombing people is not OK.”

Krishna, 27, Grace, 25, and Catherine, 26

“We’re here to stop them dropping bombs on Syria. By marching through Oxford Street we want to send a message and raise more awareness.”

Kim and Luke – both 25

“After Paris there has been fear, hate and scaremongering. You can’t ever fight hate with hate.

“We’re here as a combination of being against the hypocrisy of the government and standing against the repression in Syria.”

Lola, 16

“I don’t believe dropping bombs is going to make any difference to stopping ISIS, whatever the media say . When we drop bombs we kill innocent people.”

Marius, 17, and Beth, 16

“We want them to stop bombing Syria! We’re here because we’re part of the electorate and think we can make a difference.”

Crystal, 35, Kirsty, 29 and Scott, 28

“We’re exercising our right to protest, which is extremely important. Bombing people is just wrong, it’s black and white.”

Sarah and Becky – both 23

“I’m not saying I have all the answers, but I don’t think bombing is the right thing to do. Of course we’re angry about what ISIS are doing, but bombing will hurt innocent people and could cause an even bigger refugee problem.”

Without any real fanfare, the crowds suddenly started marching on to Oxford Street, heading towards their final destination at Westminster.

Among the shouting and placard-waving protesters there were ordinary shoppers trying their hardest to enjoy a Saturday afternoon Christmas shopping on Oxford Street.

Elliott, Alex, Becky and Lewis – Shoppers

“They’re definitely out in full force today. We didn’t know anything about it.

“Are they marching against David Cameron? We won’t be joining in.”

Laura and Patricia

“I really don’t like this, it’s strange to see protesters here. We’ll carry on shopping.

“I am against bombing in Syria though, a lot of people will die. That’s not right.”

Tim and Karin – Dutch tourists

“We’re here from The Netherlands! We’re only in London for the weekend.

“There were lots of people dressed as Santa on bikes here a minute ago, so we didn’t expect a protest to come through.

“We have similar thoughts at home though, I don’t think we should be bombing Syria.”

James, 25, and Elizabeta, 23

“It’s really good exposure to be marching through Oxford Street like this. We’re chanting ‘bombs are dropping while you’re shopping’ to make a statement and hopefully stop the war.”

Sam, 36, and Liz, 32

“We’re obviously against the bombing, not just from Britain but from America, France and other countries too. We’re killing people.”

The protesters reached their destination at Westminster and gathered to listen to a range of speakers, including Syrians themselves. From a very politically active musician to a clown who apparently pops up at most demonstrations, the crowd here was far more mixed.

Overheard a girl quietly whispers “I thought they were bombing ISIS, who’s Assad?”