Home>News Center>World
         
 

Anti-war protestors march in Washington
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-25 08:52

Crowds opposed to the war in Iraq surged past the White House on Saturday, shouting "Peace now" in the largest anti-war protest in the nation's capital since the U.S. invasion.


Anti-war protesters wearing prison uniforms and masks depicting from left to right Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney, sit among crosses and flag draped coffins during protests on the National Mall, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005 in Washington. Crowds opposed to the war in Iraq surged past the White House on Saturday, shouting 'Peace now' in the largest anti-war protest in the nation's capital since the U.S. invasion. The rally stretched through the day and into the night, a marathon of music, speechmaking and dissent on the National Mall. [AP]

The rally stretched through the day and into the night, a marathon of music, speechmaking and dissent on the National Mall. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey, noting that organizers had hoped to draw 100,000 people, said, "I think they probably hit that."

Speakers from the stage attacked President Bush's policies head on, but he was not at the White House to hear it. He spent the day in Colorado and Texas, monitoring hurricane recovery.

In the crowd: young activists, nuns whose anti-war activism dates to Vietnam, parents mourning their children in uniform lost in Iraq, and uncountable families motivated for the first time to protest.

Connie McCroskey, 58, came from Des Moines, Iowa, with two of her daughters, both in their 20s, for the family's first demonstration. McCroskey, whose father fought in World War II, said she never would have dared protest during the Vietnam War.

"Today, I had some courage," she said.


Volunteers carry symbolic caskets draped with flags as thousands participate in an anti-war march in downtown Los Angeles September 24, 2005. [Reuters]
While united against the war, political beliefs varied. Paul Rutherford, 60, of Vandalia, Mich., said he is a Republican who supported Bush in the last election and still does — except for the war.

"President Bush needs to admit he made a mistake in the war and bring the troops home, and let's move on," Rutherford said. His wife, Judy, 58, called the removal of Saddam Hussein "a noble mission" but said U.S. troops should have left when claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction proved unfounded.

"We found that there were none and yet we still stay there and innocent people are dying daily," she said.
Page: 12



Anti-war demonstrators rally in Washington
Hurricane Rita causing havoc in U.S.
Moscow court rejects oil tycoon's appeal
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

China pursuing independent approach to currency reforms

 

   
 

Rich nations urged to abandon protectionism

 

   
 

Iran rejects IAEA resolution

 

   
 

'We're not like New Orleans': official

 

   
 

Anti-war protestors march in Washington

 

   
 

Rural insurance urged for aged people

 

   
  Millions who fled Rita told to halt return
   
  Anti-war protestors march in Washington
   
  IAEA resolution clears way to refer Iran to Security Council
   
  Albright warns dark days ahead in Iraq
   
  Israel launches airstrikes against Hamas
   
  Shiites seek 'yes' vote on Iraq charter
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement