THE WORLD RISES UP AGAINST WAR: - February 15: Millions march around the world today to say "No War Against Iraq" - Organizing begins for
March 15 Emergency Convergence on the White House
Feb. 15, 2003--It is one of the great ironies of recent history that the ultra-militarist policies of the Bush administration, threatening a catastrophic war of aggression against Iraq, have been the catalyst to a global anti-war movement unlike anything that has existed for three decades -- that is, since the close of the Vietnam War.
Large anti-war demonstrations took place in most of the major cities of the world. All told, more than 600 cities and towns were the scene of simultaneous protests. In the United States, most of the major anti-war coalitions fully mobilized for the February 15 actions.
New York: credit- www.punchdown.org
In New York City, the people defied police refusal to grant a march permit by turning the upper east side broad boulevards into a sea of humanity. Hundreds of thousands filled First Avenue, Second Avenue and Third Avenue. On First Avenue the rally stretched from 52nd St. past 80th St. Second and Third Avenues, and even over to Lexington Avenue, were clogged with demonstrators who were prevented by police barricades and checkpoints from reaching the main assembly site. The police also used horses, clubs and pepper spray to carry out assaults against peaceful protesters. The National Lawyers Guild reports that over 320 people have been arrested, and that many are being held in tight handcuffs without access to water, food or bathroom facilities.
The following links are some photos of the NYC demonstration: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030215/168/3a6x9.html http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030215/168/3a88t.html
[from AP-- "Thousands Protest War in San Francisco": "'Finally it seems there is a worldwide movement saying this is obviously a catastrophic path we're on,' said Deborah Hoffmann, 55, part of a group of Arab and Israeli women. 'And now everybody is out in the streets.' A steady stream of chanting, sign-waving protesters filled 12 large city blocks stretching from the waterfront to City Hall. Police estimated the crowd at 150,000 people. Other estimates claimed 250,000." ]
In Los Angeles, 100,000 demonstrated in the largest anti-war protest in many years. Opening the Los Angeles rally, Michel Shehadeh of the Free Palestine Alliance and the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition welcomed the crowd with the words that "the demonstrations today taking place all over the world are revealing the fact that the Bush administration's planned war of aggression is now in direct confrontation with the will of the people everywhere."
Los Angeles: credit: www.punchdown.org
Demonstrations took place in scores of cities throughout the United States. 5,000 marched in Houston, 7,000 in Chicago, more than 7,000 in Sacramento, thousands marched in San Jose and Detroit. We are encouraging organizers in different cities to send in reports about their actions.
Internationally, the demonstrations included some of the biggest ever. The original call for the February 15 demonstrations came from the European anti-war movement.
In London, the demonstration was nearly two million according to march organizers.
London: credit: ww.punchdown.org
Millions more marched throughout Europe -- in Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Rome and throughout the continent.
Rome: credit: www.punchdown.org
Paris: credit: www.punchdown.org
Berlin: credit-www.spiegel-da
In Damascus, 200,000 marched. Tens of thousands marched in Buenos Aires. In Toronto, 80,000 took to the streets.
Buenos Aires: credit- www.punchdown.org
Damascus: credit- www.punchdown.org
We will try to compile a list of the turnout at other demonstrations that took place on all continents and have that list available tomorrow.
On
More Photos: Pages 1 2 3
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