Thousands rally in Washington protesting US war in Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, October 26, 2003

Thousands rally in Washington protesting US war in Iraq

Tens of thousands rallied in Washington on Saturday to protest the US war in Iraq, demanding that the United States end its occupation of Iraq and withdraw its troops from there.

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Thousands rally protesting US war in Iraq

Tens of thousands rallied in Washington on Saturday to protest the US war in Iraq, demanding that the United States end its occupation of Iraq and withdraw its troops from there.

Carrying placards reading "Money for Jobs, not for war" or "Bush lied," the protesters marched around the White House after a rally near the Washington Monument. Security was tight, and US Park Police said the organizers have assured them it would be a peaceful demonstration.

Among the protesters were family members of some American soldiers deployed in Iraq or killed in the war, adding personal touches to the rally. "We don't need any more deaths," said speaker Fernando de Solar Suarez, whose son, a Marine, was killed in Iraq on March 27.

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton, one of the nine Democratic presidential candidates, called on lawmakers not to exploit the anti-war movement for political gains but to take action against the policy of the Bush administration.

Thousands rally in Washington protesting US war in Iraq

"Don't give him the 87 billion dollars. Don't give him 87 cents," he said. "Bring the boys home."

Congress has already passed bills approving most of the 87 billion dollars Bush requested for the military campaign and reconstruction effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the two chambers still need to patch up their difference.

The anti-war protest was the largest since May 1, when Bush declared the end of major combat in Iraq. Since then, 108 US soldiers there have been killed.

The police did not give an estimate of how many people took part in the demonstration. Organizers at International ANSWER, United for Peace and Justice and Black Voices for Peace said they expected 50,000 people would attend.

Larry Holmes from the International ANSWER said he was very glad to see so many protesters at the rally because some people have said the anti-war movement has died. Before lawmakers cast their votes on Iraq issues, he said, "they should pay attention to the demand of people here."

Several hundreds of people from a conservative group also rallied in Washington to express their support for the war in Iraq. People from the two countering demonstrations had verbal exchanges but no physical conflict.

An anti-war demonstration was also held in San Francisco.

According to an ABC NEWS/Washington Post poll released earlier this month, 54 percent of Americans believe the war in Iraq was worth fighting, down from 70 percent in April. And 50 percent approve of Bush's handling of the situation in Iraq, down from 67 percent in June and 75 percent in April.

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