Thousands Protest Iraq War Across Europe

[Jon8503]

By JANELLE STECKLEIN, Associated Press Writer
5 hours ago

Demonstrators march during a protest in Madrid Saturday March ...
LONDON - Tens of thousands of anti-war protesters demonstrated across Europe on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, with 45,000 Britons marching from London's Hyde Park past the American Embassy to Trafalgar Square.

British elections expected in May lent an added charge to the largest protest, in London, where Prime Minister Tony Blair's staunch backing of the war has diminished his base of support.

Police said about 45,000 demonstrators participated in a march; organizers put the number at 100,000. Several army veterans were among the crowd.

"I disagreed with (the war) to start with because I was suspicious of the weapons of mass destruction claims," said Ray Hewitt, 34, a veteran of the 1991 Gulf War. "I saw the Iraqi army in 1991 and we destroyed it."

In Istanbul, Turkey, an estimated 15,000 people - some carrying signs reading "Murderer Bush, get out" - marched in the Kadikoy neighborhood.

http://www.comcast.net/news/international/europe/index.jsp?cat=EUROPE&fn=/2005/03/20/86219.html

[Jo March]

1. Kick! This is great news! nt

[ananda]

2. 2 articles in Hou Chronicle

My local rag had two articles on protests: one on the local Houston efforts, and one on the national and international efforts.

The Houston protests went well and were very impressive, totally peaceful and thoughtful.

Protests in other cities didn't fare so well, but the message is out there.

International protests were also very impressive. At least, they were to me.

Not that anything in particular "impresses" Bush and the neocons or the Reeptile legislators....

Sue