Biggest Anti-War Demonstration in the USA Since the Vietnam War

Several tens of thousands of people went out into the streets in Washington on 26 October to demonstrate against the war on Iraq. The organisers declared this the biggest anti-war demonstration in the USA since the protest marches against the Vietnam War.

Some demonstrators accused President George W. Bush of planning genocide in the Middle East. They held up placards saying 'Fire Bush, not Bombs', 'No Evidence, No War' or 'Money for Work, not War'. They blamed Bush for misappropriating Iraqi oil resources instead of promoting renewable energy resources, as one demonstrator explained.

In an allusion to Bush's 'axis of evil', which includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea, the demonstrators shouted: 'The axis of evil are Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld.' In view of Bush's plans to overthrow Saddam Hussein, former Attorney General Ramsey Clark explained that it was high time to change the regime - but here, in America.

America should be liberated, Clark demanded. He explained that the USA had gone downhill and become a plutocracy - a state in which property alone ensures political power. The organisers estimated the number of demonstrators at 100,000 whereas the police gave no details. Several civil and human rights movements had called for the rally. Similar anti-war demonstrations were to take place in other US cities such as San Francisco or Chicago. In other parts of the world numerous demonstrations against military actions in Iraq have already taken place, for example in various European countries, Asia and Australia. In Germany, activities in more than 80 cities and communities were held, the organisers stated.