PEACE campaigners took to the streets of York today to make a stand against hostilities in Afghanistan.

Shoppers looked on as more than 100 anti-war demonstrators of all ages proclaimed their message through the city centre.

The marching group, including members of the Green Party and the Socialist Alliance, drew cheers and applause from some onlookers, but there were also jeers and catcalls.

And the demonstration attracted a counter-protest backing America's threat of military action in Afghanistan.

Well-known York character Herbie Stratton turned up wearing red, white and blue, and carrying an enormous stars and stripes flag.

Herbie, who was mistakenly arrested three years ago when he got caught up in a protest against York's Ecofin meeting of European finance ministers, told the Evening Press he was backing Uncle Sam all the way today.

"Where would we be without America's role as a global policeman?" he said. "We need action to be taken swiftly, and decisively and soon."

Leading the peace protest, however, Bill Shaw, of the Green Party, took the opposite view. "We need ploughshares and seeds not bombs and martyrs," he insisted. "We are trying to get the message across to the people of York that war is not the solution to the crisis. We understand the hurt in America, but this is no way to act."

One protester, Mike Brown, 24, a graduate from York University, said: "I'm here to express my concern about what is about to happen. Civilian casualties in Afghanistan is not the response we need. The dead from America can never be brought back, and adding more casualties to the unspeakable brutality of September 11, is not the way forward."

Following the march down Coney Street, the protesters gathered for a rally in St Sampson's Square, where a number of speakers promoted the anti-war message. The group had gathered at Clifford's Tower before marching through the streets chanting anti-war messages and singing anti-Bush and anti-Blair songs.

Many shoppers stood and watched as the noisy marchers proclaimed their message and although many were silent, some could not resist the opportunity to shout down the anti-war protest.

"An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind," read one of the many poignant banners waved by the protesters.

Updated: 12:32 Saturday, October 06, 2001