not in my name

brief : At the beginning of the American led invasion of Iraq in 2002, the sizeable minority against military action were determined to be heard. For several months around the time of the invasion, the Iraq war protest movement rallied mass marches throughout the major cities of the United Kingdom. I followed them on six occasions in Manchester and London for this photojournalism project.


Many were quick to criticise those who took part in the Iraq war protests, but the reality is now that their views on the war have been vindicated. Those who still agree that military action was justified, cannot possibly exonerate the US and UK administration's massive incompetence and lack of preparation for the aftermath of 'victory'. Saddam may have been removed from power, but the 'War on Terror' is no longer credible or sustainable in its existing form.


These photojournalism images of the Iraq war protests show people with a passion and a belief that war was not the answer. Whilst I disagreed with them at the time, I now find myself coming to terms with their logic. Military action may not have been avoidable, but the way it was executed is an indictment on the core values of American and British liberty and democracy.

influences : Stop the War Coalition / Adbusters magazine / Photojournalism / Iraq war Protests

equipment : Contax G2, 35-70mm Vario Sonnar Lens, TLA-200 Flash (first rally), Ilford HP5 photojournalism film rated at 400 & 800 ASA


keywords : photojournalism, Iraq war protest, anti war protest, stop the war coalition, photo, photos, picture, pictures, Iraq war, anti-war, no war, not in my name, middle east, George Bush, Tony Blair, democracy Iraq, photojournalism, Iraq war protest