Protestors around the world demonstrate against occupation of Iraq
Anti-war protestors have switched their focus from trying to end the war on Iraq, to now trying to prevent an occupation of Iraq. Thousands of protestors took to the streets on Saturday in cities around the world demonstrating against, “the new colonialism.”
In Washington, several people were arrested when police and protestors clashed. Demonstrators were led through streets near the White House by a massive police presence while a police helicopter flew overhead.
Brandishing batons, police hit several protestors who pushed and shoved
ROME ITALY : A giant rainbow-coloured peace flag is carried through the Teatro Marcello street in Rome,12 April 2003 , during a protest against the war in Iraq
back. Security was tight as a pro-war demonstration took place earlier also due to the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF meetings have traditionally drawn large numbers of anti-globalisation protestors.
In San Francisco, over 1,000 demonstrators stood outside the City Hall to protest what they called, the US “occupation” of Iraq.
Europe also saw thousands of people pour onto the streets to showcase their displeasure with the campaign against Iraq. Organisers in London estimated 100,000 people marched through the city centre waving banners reading, “No Occupation of Iraq,” and, “Bush, Blair, CIA, how many kids have you killed today?” Police stated the number of people was around 20,000 however.
Peace activist Tony Ben drew parallels between people looting in Iraq to the United States government. He told the BBC that the “US is looting Iraqi oil,” suggesting that the US only had economic interests in mind by going to war against Iraq.
The Italian capital of Rome also saw demonstrators march around the Circus Maximus carrying a giant rainbow banner 500 metres in length that read, “Stop the Occupation.”
French communist politicians led demonstrations in Paris where approximately 11,000 people took part in demanding an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Anglo-American troops.
An additional 12,000 people marched past the opposition CDU conservatives’ headquarters in Berlin shouting, “peace not occupation.” The CDU has supported the US-led campaign.
Tens of thousands gathered in Dhaka, Bangladesh to burn effigies of US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Meanwhile, 15,000 leftist demonstrators formed a human chain in Calcutta around the US and British consulates shouting, “Iraq will become another Vietnam for America.”
Protests were largely peaceful throughout the world. More are planned for the days ahead. --- Al Jazeera with agency inputs |
