The group of Human Shields
that left London on 25th January in three double-decker buses arrived in
Baghdad last Saturday (14th Feb).
The group received an overwhelmingly warm reception from the citizens of
Baghdad . "The people here are a gentle, wonderful people. It is such an
enriching experience to be greeted with a warm smile wherever we go" said
the action leader, Ken Nichols O'Keefe.
"The Iraqi authorities have left us to our own devices and we are not
escorted or accompanied anywhere and we are free to move and do as we see
fit".
Mr O'Keefe is travelling with his companions to Basra in Southern Iraq on
Sunday, with two buses, to document and highlight the effects of depleted
uranium used by US forces in the Gulf War of 1991. Evidence suggests the
devastating effect of using these "long-term" weapons of mass destruction
should be condemned and those responsible be brought to justice.
There are approximately 150 Human Shields in Iraq and c.a. 100 currently
en-route, as a result of Mr O'Keefe's call for a mass migration.
Citizens of many Western countries have joined the action including people
from Spain, U.S., U.K, Norway, Denmark, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand,
Jordan, France and Italy among others.
The action is gathering pace and plans to have 18,000 Human Shields in Iraq
within 6 weeks. Spokesperson Torben Franck said, "we have demonstrated that
the Iraqi people are open to receive us as compassionate friends and fellow
humans. We have shown that the Iraqi Authorities intend the group no malice
and have not enforced any agenda upon the party in Iraq. We shall continue
to respond to the world-wide demand for people to join the action and are
confident that an intelligent and peaceful solution be found to the current
world situation for all races and cultures involved. Truth, Justice and
Peace.".
