The organisers of the 15 February demonstration to Stop the War against Iraq have issued the following statement: Our organisations are deeply concerned at the sudden and apparently arbitrary decision by the Royal Parks Authority to deny us, as the organisers of the February 15 demonstration against war, access to Hyde Park for an end-of-march rally. We are further concerned that this decision may have been taken at government level, which would raise the most fundamental issues regarding the right to protest. We believe that the reasons given for this ban are spurious, and that any genuine issues regarding public safety could easily be dealt with in discussions between the Parks Authority, the Metropolitan Police and ourselves. To avoid any confusion, we are urging the authority to lift this ban without delay and allow plans for the rally - the arrangements for which were first discussed with the Parks Authority well before Christmas - to proceed. We wish to reaffirm that the demonstration on February 15 is going ahead, and that there is no question whatsoever of it being cancelled. It will be a peaceful and democratic protest, representing the views and voices of the great majority of the British people, who are against this war. A rally will be held in Central London at the conclusion of the demonstration, and we believe that this can and should be in Hyde Park, the more so since no realistic alternative venue has been suggested. February 15 is a worldwide day of protest against the war, and the British people can and will be heard in their capital city, as millions will in other capitals around the world. We urge the government to direct the Parks Authority to lift the ban straight away, Our organisations are ready to continue discussions about any legitimate concerns which the authorities or others may wish to raise about the organisation of what may be the largest demonstration in London's history.' Andrew Murray, Chair, Stop the War Coalition Carol Naughton, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Mohammed Sawala, Chair, Muslim Association of Britain Londoners' opinions: Evening Standard poll result - 76% say rally should go ahead in Hyde Park. Evening Standard columnist Simon Jenkins comments: 'The ban on a Stop the War rally on 15 February going through Hyde Park is stupid and should be reversed. ... This is political. If I were to organise a rally in support of the war, there would be no ban. ... [In 1866 the Reform] League challenged the government's right to ban a public rally in favour of a widened franchise in Hyde Park. Sheer weight of numbers broke down the park gates and instigated the celebrated "Battle of the Railings". ... The 15 Februaryrally is a political event ... It is in the tradition of British participatory politics ... unlike the Government I can recognise a political freedom when I see one. ...' (Evening Standard 30 January 2003) - Want to complain? Contacting the Royal Parks Agency - post: William Weston Royal Parks Agency HQ The Old Police House Hyde Park London W2 2UH tel: 020 7298 2000 fax: 020 7298 2005 email: hq@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk Royal Parks Agency website http://www.stopwar.org.uk/