ON Saturday I did something I would never have dreamed of doing before and probably never will again. I took part in a demonstration.

My son is now in Kuwait. When he served in Afghanistan I worried about his safety and didn't sleep well for three and a half months but felt what he was doing was justified. When he came home safe I was overjoyed.

Now, and with a democratically elected Prime Minister seemingly hell bent on ignoring public opinion, I felt I had to do something more than just sit and wait.

Last Saturday was the first time I have witnessed the American flag being burned by British people. It was also the first time I have ever taken part in a demonstration and it was amazing to see so many cultures represented on the march, not least of which were several Americans.

Most thought-provoking was a conversation I had with a 94-year-old man, unable to walk without sticks. He had lived through two world wars and many minor conflicts, but was so afraid of the potential outcome of our affiliation with George W. Bush that he had to do something.

On Saturday, like thousands of others who had never been on a demo before, I had to do something too. I am proud to have taken part in the biggest demonstration this country has ever witnessed. And proud to be British.

John Ward,

Pinfold Terrace,

Tollerton, York.

Updated: 10:32 Tuesday, February 18, 2003