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Back to index of Nerve 11 - Winter 2007 | Merseyside Resistance Calendar March
31st March 2006: Over 2,000 demonstrate against Condoleezza Rice visit
On 31st March 2006, over two thousand people demonstrated against the visit of US Secretary of Condoleezza Rice to the city. Rice, a key architect of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, was the guest of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, but she was made to feel very unwelcome in Liverpool. As many of the stickers read, 'no Scouse for Rice'.
The visit had caused controversy since it had been announced. The Stop The War Coalition immediately began making representations to local councillors, telling them what they thought of Rice, and why they shouldn't want to associate themselves with her. The Liverpool Daily Post and Echo were full of letters on the subject for weeks on end, and pressure was also put on people who were due to perform at a gala concert in Rice's honour at the Philharmonic Hall on Hope Street. Poet Roger McGough was scheduled to compere the event, though he eventually pulled out, and no high-profile replacement could be found. Singer Jennifer Johns decided to perform, but treated Rice to a rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine'.
On the Friday night of the main protest, the crowd gathered on the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral, filling all available space with bodies and a vast array of colourful banners. Speakers from the Stop The War Coalition addressed the protesters, and this was followed by a minute's silence for all the victims of the Iraq invasion, before red balloons were released and coffin-bearers dressed in Guantanamo-style orange jump suits led the protesters down Hope Street towards the police cordon, in a highly symbolic moment. According to a Liverpool Indymedia report, protesters stayed for a couple of hours booing the 'great and good' that were gladhanding the 'terrorist mastermind'.
Liverpool Indymedia feature on Rice visit
Youtube video of protests shot at Metropolitan Cathedral