UK Artists say, “Out of Iraq!”

In London a coalition of over 100 artists, writers, musicians, academics, and members of parliament signed a letter expressing their opposition to the war in Iraq. On September 15th, musician Brian Eno and film star Julie Christie hand delivered to the official residence of Tony Blair, the letter calling for the withdrawal of British troops. At a press conference held at 10 Downing Street, Eno said:

“We are saying that the war is a disaster and has failed in every way and is continuing to fail. Personally I’m saying I do not want to be associated with a bunch of red necks with big guns and small minds.”

The artist’s letter was delivered as part of a campaign building support for the international September 24th antiwar demonstrations, one of which will be held in London. It’s admirable that artists in England have organized themselves into a bloc to pressure elected representatives. It’s an action that American artists should take note of and replicate. Not because Mr. Bush and his gaggle of philistines would care about what artists might have to say, but because it might matter to the American people. The UK artist’s letter reads in full:

“The war and occupation of Iraq have been an unmitigated disaster both for the people of Iraq and Britain. Countless innocent Iraqis have lost their lives and still more innocents have been killed on our streets.

British soldiers, many of whom do not want to serve in Iraq, have been killed, wounded or maimed. The United Nations’ mandate for the occupation of Iraq expires this December. We call on you to initiate the first steps to end this carnage by announcing that British troops will be brought home by the end of this year.

If you do this, you can stop the killing of any more Iraqis by British troops. You can save the lives of our soldiers. You can make Britain’s streets safer. You can defend civil liberties rather than erode them.”