The two-year anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq on Saturday has witnessed relatively small anti-war demonstrations across the United States, the New York Times reported Sunday.

The American crowds ranged from 350 in Times Square in New Yorkto several thousands in San Francisco.

Under the banners of a broad coalition of antiwar groups, including United for Peace and Justice and the War Resisters League, the protests were part of a weekend of marches, rallies, prayer gathering, candle-light vigils, hip-hop concerts and other events to mark the 2nd anniversary of the war's start.

The protesters included families with small children, students,professional and working people, veterans and families of service personnel, religious groups and many middle-aged and older people.

In contrast to the vociferous rage of demonstrations two years ago, Saturday's protests were mostly somber and low-key, with marchers carrying cardboard coffins in silence to the beat of funeral drums, with ally speaker alluding often to the war dead and subdued crowds keeping behind police barriers.

No serious injuries or clashes between demonstrators and the police were reported although insults were exchanged by protesters and counterprotesters.

Three dozen people were arrested in New York for blocking traffic or doorways at military recruiting centers.

Beyond New York and San Francisco, protests were unfolded in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego and what organizers said were 725 other cities and smaller American towns, places likeEvergreen, Colo., where 13 people turned out to confront their neighbors with peace signs, and Algoma, Sis., where eight people attended a "Bring Home the Troops" demonstration.

In communities large and small, the message was the same: End an unjust war that has killed more than 1,500 Americans and thousands of Iraqis, that has cost hundreds of billions of dollarsand left American with frayed alliances and ugly images as occupiers and torturers.

Source: Xinhua