FREE  THE JOURNALIST AL-ZAIDI ! BUSH IS THE REAL CRIMINAL !

The shoe protest at George Bush's press conference in the Baghdad Green Zone by Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi has made him a hero across the Middle East and much of the rest of the world.

When he shouted at Bush: "This is for the widows and orphans of Iraq", he expressed the unreported feelings of millions in Iraq and beyond that the Bush occupation has been a disaster and that it should end immediately.

Since the protest Muntadar al-Zaidi has been held in custody and according to the BBC has been subject to brutal treatment. His brother has said that since his arrest he has a broken wrist, broken ribs and internal bleeding.

We believe that Muntadar al-Zaidi, who protested at president George W. Bush in Baghdad on Sunday, is guilty of nothing but expressing Iraqis' legitimate and overwhelming opposition to the US-led occupation of their country.

We are deeply concerned about his safety, and support the National Union of Journalists and Media Workers Against the War in their campaign to secure safe treatment and effect his immediate release from custody.

Message from Greater Manchester Stop the War Caolition