Guardian – 20 June 1984

Doreen Crothall's lame "explanation" (Letters, June 18) of CND's claim that three times as many of its supporters rallied in Trafalgar Square and the surrounding streets as they are physically capable of holding, is that the alleged surplus numbers were continuously "arriving and departing".

As the rally speeches began only after the end of the march had reached the square, this claim – if true – would mean that the equivalent of two Trafalgar Squares-full had voluntarily vacated the area before a single unilateralist pronouncement had been made by any of the CND's guest celebrities. This must surely be a record for collectively anticipated mass boredom.

Dr JULIAN LEWIS
Director
The Coalition for Peace Through Security
London SW1