Iraq anniversaries to be marked with vigil in Trafalgar Square
On the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq tomorrow (Friday 23 March), and the first anniversary of the release of Christian peacemaker hostages Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden in Iraq, Christians will keep a vigil of remembrance in Trafalgar Square, for all victims of violence in Iraq. Norman Kember and his colleagues were held hostage in Iraq for 118 days between November 2005 and March 2006. Tom Fox, an American Quaker, member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams, with whom Norman was held, was murdered in Iraq on 10th March 2006. Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said: "we want to give thanks for the safe release of Norman, James and Harmeet and to remember Tom and all those whose have died as a result of the war with Iraq and those who continue to be displaced, wounded or tortured in the name of the so-called 'war on terror'." Members of Pax Christi, the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Christian Peacemaker Teams will take part in the vigil. During the time Norman was held in Iraq these groups co-ordinated support and solidarity actions throughout the country. On his release in 2006 Norman Kember said: "we must remember the people of Iraq who still await the stable and just society they deserve". Norman Kember will take part in the vigil. On 22nd March Norman's book Hostage in Iraq will be launched, published by Darton Longman and Todd. The vigil will be held on the North side of Trafalgar Square - adjacent to St Martin in the Fields - from 12 noon to 1.30pm.