http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7065975.stm
Sunday, 28 October 2007, 03:40 GMT
Tens of thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations against the war in Iraq in cities across the US.
Rallies took place in a dozen cities, with the biggest crowds gathering in New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
They were timed to coincide with the fifth anniversary of a vote by the US Senate to authorise the Iraq invasion.
Those taking part, who included relatives of servicemen fighting in Iraq, urged the US congress to cut off funding for the war.
The 'national day of action' was called by the United for Peace and Justice coalition.
Silence for dead
Mike Carano, who organised a march in Ohio, told Reuters news agency: "This is across-the-country sentiment about ending the occupation, redirecting funds for needs in this country, our attempt to get Congress to stand up and have its prerogative to cut funding, to take charge."
One of the national co-ordinators of the protests, Leslie Kielsen, told Reuters that the "half a trillion" dollars spent on the war was money that could have been used for education, social housing and to feed the hungry.
In New York participants gathered in Union Square, before marching on to Foley Square, which is close to many of the city's largest courthouses and government offices.
A two minute silence was held to honour those killed in the violence which has blighted Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion.
An estimated 10,000 people joined a march in Chicago and in San Francisco there was an even greater turnout.
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Anyone seen coverage of this in US media?
One of the biggest crowds joined the rally in San Francisco:
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Thousands in US War Protests
Moderator: Super Moderators
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/ ... 9832.shtml
Here's an article on CBS News...
(CBS/AP) Tens of thousands called for a swift end to the war in Iraq as they marched through downtowns across the country on Saturday, chanting and carrying such signs as "Wall Street Gets Rich, Iraqis and GIs Die" or "Drop Tuition Not Bombs."
In Chicago about 5,000 protestors gathered at Union Park and marched to Federal Plaza. Three students were arrested for walking on the street and charged with disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest, and damaging to property, reports CBS News affiliate WBBM in Chicago.
Rain dampened the New York City march, but thousands of raincoat-wearing protestors still showed up.
In San Francisco, it also rained, but at least 10,000 people participated. Organizers of the event estimated about 30,000 people showed up.
"I got the sense that many people were at a demonstration for the first time," said Sarah Sloan, one of the event's organizers. "That's something that's really changed. People have realized the right thing to do is to take to the streets."
"Our signs are limp from the rain and the ground is soggy, but out spirits are high," said Bal Pinguel, of the American Friends Service Committee, one of the national sponsors of the event. "The high price we are paying is the more than 3,800 troops who have been killed in the war in Iraq."
Vince Robbins, 51, of Mount Holly, N.J., said there needed to be more rallies and more outrage.
"Where's the outcry? Where's the horror that almost 4,000 Americans have died in a foreign country that we invaded?" Robbins said. "I'm almost as angry at the American people as I am the president. I think Americans have become apathetic and placid about the whole thing."
Protests were also held in Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Fla., and Jonesborough, Tenn.
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Did not have the TV on today.
Here's an article on CBS News...
(CBS/AP) Tens of thousands called for a swift end to the war in Iraq as they marched through downtowns across the country on Saturday, chanting and carrying such signs as "Wall Street Gets Rich, Iraqis and GIs Die" or "Drop Tuition Not Bombs."
In Chicago about 5,000 protestors gathered at Union Park and marched to Federal Plaza. Three students were arrested for walking on the street and charged with disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest, and damaging to property, reports CBS News affiliate WBBM in Chicago.
Rain dampened the New York City march, but thousands of raincoat-wearing protestors still showed up.
In San Francisco, it also rained, but at least 10,000 people participated. Organizers of the event estimated about 30,000 people showed up.
"I got the sense that many people were at a demonstration for the first time," said Sarah Sloan, one of the event's organizers. "That's something that's really changed. People have realized the right thing to do is to take to the streets."
"Our signs are limp from the rain and the ground is soggy, but out spirits are high," said Bal Pinguel, of the American Friends Service Committee, one of the national sponsors of the event. "The high price we are paying is the more than 3,800 troops who have been killed in the war in Iraq."
Vince Robbins, 51, of Mount Holly, N.J., said there needed to be more rallies and more outrage.
"Where's the outcry? Where's the horror that almost 4,000 Americans have died in a foreign country that we invaded?" Robbins said. "I'm almost as angry at the American people as I am the president. I think Americans have become apathetic and placid about the whole thing."
Protests were also held in Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Fla., and Jonesborough, Tenn.
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Did not have the TV on today.
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