Ex-soldier to return medals in protest
Published on Fri Nov 19 11:10:24 GMT 2010
A Leeds University student and former soldier is due to give back his military medals in protest at Britain's continuing involvement in the war in Afghanistan.
Joe Glenton, who served six months in a military jail after refusing to return to Afghanistan for a second tour, will hand over his medals to 10 Downing Street.
He will be joined by relatives of other soldiers, who are members of the Military Families Against The War campaign group, including Joan Humphries, whose grandson, Kevin Elliot, was killed in action in Afghanistan last year.
Mr Glenton, who now campaigns against war, served one tour of duty in Afghanistan, but deserted from the Army when he was ordered to return. He is now a student at Leeds Metropolitan University.
The military families will deliver a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling for the Government to bring British troops home from Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Stop The War Coalition said it expected thousands of people to join a national demonstration in London to oppose the conflict in Afghanistan.
The group's convener, Lindsey German, said students and sixth-form pupils from across the country would take part in the protest amid a "surge" of anti-war feeling.
"It will be a lively demonstration to press for the withdrawal of troops. Spending on Afghanistan is now approaching ?5 billion a year - money that should be spent on areas such as education and welfare, which are now under threat because of the Government's spending cuts."
Ms German said opposition to the war was growing, with 75% of the British public wanting the troops home now.
Speakers at the rally will include Labour's London Mayoral candidate, Labour MPs Eric Joyce and John McDonnell, human rights lawyer Phil Shiner and writer Terry Eagleton.
I say good on him and good luck. Stop the unjust war and stop the killing.
Published on Fri Nov 19 11:10:24 GMT 2010
A Leeds University student and former soldier is due to give back his military medals in protest at Britain's continuing involvement in the war in Afghanistan.
Joe Glenton, who served six months in a military jail after refusing to return to Afghanistan for a second tour, will hand over his medals to 10 Downing Street.
He will be joined by relatives of other soldiers, who are members of the Military Families Against The War campaign group, including Joan Humphries, whose grandson, Kevin Elliot, was killed in action in Afghanistan last year.
Mr Glenton, who now campaigns against war, served one tour of duty in Afghanistan, but deserted from the Army when he was ordered to return. He is now a student at Leeds Metropolitan University.
The military families will deliver a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling for the Government to bring British troops home from Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Stop The War Coalition said it expected thousands of people to join a national demonstration in London to oppose the conflict in Afghanistan.
The group's convener, Lindsey German, said students and sixth-form pupils from across the country would take part in the protest amid a "surge" of anti-war feeling.
"It will be a lively demonstration to press for the withdrawal of troops. Spending on Afghanistan is now approaching ?5 billion a year - money that should be spent on areas such as education and welfare, which are now under threat because of the Government's spending cuts."
Ms German said opposition to the war was growing, with 75% of the British public wanting the troops home now.
Speakers at the rally will include Labour's London Mayoral candidate, Labour MPs Eric Joyce and John McDonnell, human rights lawyer Phil Shiner and writer Terry Eagleton.
I say good on him and good luck. Stop the unjust war and stop the killing.
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