In more than 1000 cities across the country and around the world, demonstrations today protested on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. In San Francisco, 25,000 marched, and 20,000 marched in Los Angeles. Both demonstrations were sponsored by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) which supported and helped to organize many of the other protests around the U.S.

<##IMAGE##> The crowd in San Francisco swelled as the rain subsided in the late morning. It took more than 45 minutes for the entire demonstration, marching on very wide streets, to enter the Civic Center plaza. The S.F. march included contingents from the labor movement, Glide Memorial Church, the Palestinian and Arab American community, students, immigrant rights movement and many other organizations and communities.

Many thousands marched from Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem to Central Park in New York City in an event sponsored by the Troops Out Now Coalition. 6,000 people marched in Chicago in an event sponsored by the Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, and 5,000 people rallied outside Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in an event sponsored by Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, NC Peace & Justice Coalition and other organizations. 2,000 demonstrated and rallied in New Paltz, NY.

People mobilized around the world on March 19 coming out in a united voice demanding an end to the war and occupation of Iraq. More than 100,000 marched in London, tens of thousands in Rome, and large protests in Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Sao Paulo, Madrid, Seoul, Manila, Sydney, Stockholm, Mexico City, Tokyo, and all over the world. In the United States, antiwar actions were organized in more than 735 cities and towns -- twice the number as last year"s March 19 protests. (Source from ANSWER.L.A.)


March from Harlem to Bloomberg"s Mansion says:
"Fund Cities, Not War! Troops Out Now!"
On the Second Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq

March 19, 2005 - Today, tens of thousands of people converged on New York City to oppose an illegal war of aggression against the people of Iraq. People drove from as far away as Florida and Minnesota to demand an immediate end to the occupation.

More than 15,000 marched to join thousands already gathered in Central Park, New York. Photo by troopsoutnow.org)

The day began with a rally in Marcus Garvey Park. After the opening rally, more than 15,000 marched to join thousands already gathered in Central Park. As they marched through Harlem, they were greeted by cheers and applause from the community. People came out of stores and apartments to join the march. Others hung out of their windows and flashed the peace sign or raised their fist.

Speakers at the Central Park Rally included Representative Charles Rangel, New York City Council Members Margarita Lopez and Charles Barron, former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, and attorney Lynne Stewart.

After the Central Park Rally, thousands marched to the Upper East Side mansion of billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the slogan, "Fund Cities, Not War!"

The turnout for this demonstration confirms that the antiwar movement has entered into a new phase of organizing against the war. It confirms that the greatest attention must be paid to reaching out to communities most impacted by the war and by the policies of the Bush Administration. These communities are the targets of the budget cuts. They are also targeted by military recruiters, who exploit economic hardship with false promises of opportunity. As a result, the children of these communities are dying disproportionately in Iraq, paying the ultimate price for a policy of greed and empire.

Organizers with the Troops Out Now Coalition plan to continue to protest the war and occupation. On May 1, the Troops Out Now Coalition will join the Million Worker March on the streets of New York City in a rally and march to demand, "Jobs, Not War! Bring the Troops Home Now!" (Source from www.troopsoutnow.org)

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