PEACE protesters staged their own Iraq "handover" ceremony in York city centre.
Organised by York Against the War, with the support of Unison representatives, the event in St Sampson's Square saw one protester, Graham Martin, don a George Bush mask to explain the demonstration to the passing public.
Members then shared their thoughts on the handover, while carrying placards.
Mr Martin said he thought public feeling against the handover was strong.
He said: "A lot of people think this (the handover) is a fraud and is not as it appears. It is just one more link in trying to get Iraqi oil money, and, although it looks good, it's because it is for the election campaign that Bush is running and that Tony Blair will eventually run."
Ben Drake, of Unison, said: "Iraq will only really have freedom if we get the troops out and let them have free elections."
Updated: 10:37 Thursday, July 01, 2004
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