Syria crisis: Anti-war protesters claim public opinion victory Organisers claimed any attack on President Assad's forces, which are being considered in response to the regime's use of chemical weapons against its own people, would only fuel the conflict in Syria. Tony Benn, the former Labour MP addressed the crowd during the march. He said: "Today is a victory of British public opinion over those who want war and the vote in Parliament last week was a result of all the demonstrations, like the one we had today, against war and in favour of peace. Chemical weapons are terrible weapons, but when you think of all the thousands of people that have been killed by British and American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq you realise that it isn't true that another war would solve the problem. Speakers addressed the crowd from below Nelson's Column as tourists visiting central London looked on. Lindsey German, convener of the Stop The War coalition, described the vote in parliament as a "victory." She said: "Never let them say demonstrations don't work - our demonstration has worked,"