Students from Colchester Royal Grammar School voiced their anti-war message at a protest outside the school gates.

About 20 students held a two-hour protest outside the school in Lexden Road on Friday before marching to the town hall to join other protesters for a vigil.

With a police officer for every two protesters, the 45 people who turned up was considerably less than previous protests.

Campaigner Tom McLoughlin said: "People are still against the war but don't want to speak out because they feel they have to back the troops. People are losing motivation and feel the Government is not listening and brushing them off."

The protesters marched to Colchester Garrison for a candlelit vigil, tying yellow ribbons to the fence, and pledged their support to the two soldiers reported to have been sent home after objecting to the war.

Published Monday, April 7 , 2003

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