LONDON (Jan. 25) - Waving goodbye to families and denouncing "imperialist" warmongering, the first convoy of Western volunteers set out from London on double-decker buses on Saturday to act as "human shields" against any attack on Iraq.
About 50 volunteers, ranging from a 19-year-old factory worker to a 60-year-old former diplomat, formed the first in a series of convoys organisers say will take hundreds of anti-war activists to Iraq.
Dismissed by critics as naively playing into Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's hands, the volunteers plan to fan out to heavily populated areas of Baghdad and other parts of the country as a deterrent to Western bombing.
"Our strategy is potentially dangerous but that is the risk we must take in standing beside our brothers and sisters in Iraq," said former U.S. marine Ken Nichols, whose Human Shield Action Iraq group is coordinating the London departures.
"We have been inundated by volunteers. This is just the first wave. I am calling for 10,000 to get down there and stop this war," he told Reuters.
Saturday's convoy -- like others being planned for early February -- will travel across Europe, picking up more people on the way, loading provisions and stopping to promote their cause.
Nichols' group is one of several around the world whose aim is to mobilise peace activists as human shields in Iraq and show solidarity with Iraqi people in the face of a possible U.S.-led war against Saddam.
__________________
"It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me
Hope Nichols remembers survival training. It could come in handy.
And, BD is right about them coming back here. Hope the State Department yanks their citizenship.
__________________
If you don't like cops, call your local crackhead for help next time!
Giveing aid to the Enemy, **** thats bad
Do those people understand that ol Saddam will prolly breakout the cemical/biological party favors [you know the ones he's got hidden from Herr Blix]
To be an American civilian on the ground in Iraq when the airstrikes begin. Thats not courage it's neivete
see those people REALLY believe in the superiorty of America and that they will be saved if it gets to Scary for them.
What sillyness. They live in such luxury to be able to do that,
to show their friends their conviction.
What idiots.
Welp they want to go fine..go...but dont come back!! As for old kenny welp I hope his parents recive his body parts in very small plastic bags....Im sure Sadam will pay shipping.
Originally posted by 7mmag6 ARRRRRRRGH Ken Nichols I want to rip off your head and sh-it down your throat, dam-n marine corp traitor, man that makes me mad, red faced, oohrah
Howdy 7mmag6!
I just bet Ken Nichols was one of the few Marines that everyone at the base hated! The last to pull his own weight and the 1st to complain about everything.
He most likely was not, and definately is not now a true Marine! Opposing war is one thing, but not recognizing when war is inevitable and openly criticizing the commander incheif and the whole country is un American and dangerously close to traitorus acts to my mind. Going to the enemy's country and using yourself a s a human shield is a traitorus act!
Let 'em go - we don't need them anymore. I seriously doubt they come back - if the sheep dip hits the fan these folks will be victims of chemical/bio warfare or cruise missle fodder. Screw 'em.
__________________
They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"
![Sniper[MI]'s Avatar](http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/customavatars/avatar690_2.gif){kind=avatar}
Idiots 'll always be idiots!!!!!! 
