Global Protests Mark Iraq War Anniversary

Infoshop News will be updating this page throughout the weekend as more news comes in from the hundreds of protests.

On the third anniversary of the current phase of the 15-year-old war between the U.S. and Iraq, hundreds of thousands will be protesting around the world. Infoshop has a list of many of the protests.

Budapest: 4,000
Calgary: 150
Chicago: 7,000
Columbus, Ohio: 800-1,500
Concord, New Hampshire: 300
Copenhagen, Denmark: 2,000
Istanbul: 5000 people
Kansas City: 800
Kuala Lumpur: 600
London: 15,000-80,000
Milwaukee: 100s
Montreal: 700
New Haven, Ct: 100s
New York City; 1000s
Ottawa: 500-1,000
Perth: 1000
Portland, Oregon: 10,000
Rome: 1000s
Salt Lake City: 200
San Rafael, Calif.: 100
San Francisco: 10,000
Seoul: 1,000
Stockholm: 1000
Sydney: 500
Tokyo: 3,000
Toronto: 1000
Traverse City, Mich.: 200
Walnut Creek: 3,000
West Palm Beach: 75

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UK: Anti-war marchers 'not giving up'

Tokyo anti-Iraq war protest draws 2,000

Australia: Anti-war protesters turn out in Brisbane

Alabama: Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan joins marchers

Photo: Thousands of anti-war protesters gather during a demonstration at Trafalgar Square, central London, March 18, 2006. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Global Protests Mark Iraq War Anniversary

by ED JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

SYDNEY, Australia - Anti-war protesters marched in Australia, Asia, Turkey and Europe on Saturday in demonstrations that marked the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq with a demand that coalition troops pull out.

Around 500 protesters marched through central Sydney, chanting "End the war now" and "Troops out of Iraq." Many campaigners waved placards branding President Bush the "World's No. 1 Terrorist" or expressing concerns that Iran could be the next country to face invasion.

"Iraq is a quagmire and has been a humanitarian disaster for the Iraqis," said Jean Parker, a member of the Australian branch of the Stop the War Coalition, which organized the march. "There is no way forward without ending the occupation."

Opposition to the war is still evident in Australia, which has some 1,300 troops in and around Iraq. Visiting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was heckled by campaigners in Sydney this week, who said she had "blood on her hands."

But Saturday's protest was small compared to the mass demonstrations that swept across the country in the buildup to the invasion — the largest Australia had seen since joining U.S. forces in the Vietnam War.

The turnout also was lower than protesters had hoped in Britain, whose government has been the United States' strongest supporter in the war.

Authorities shut down streets in the heart of London's shopping and theater district for the demonstration, which organizers had predicted would attract up to 100,000 people, but police estimated the crowd was about 15,000 people.

Some protesters carried posters calling Bush a terrorist and other placards pictured Prime Minister Tony Blair, saying "Blair must go!" Britain has about 8,000 soldiers in Iraq but plans to pull out 800 by May.

"We are against this war, both for religious reasons and on a humanitarian basis, too. No one deserves to be bombarded," said one march, student Imran Saghir, 25.

In Tokyo, about 2,000 people rallied in a downtown park, carrying signs saying "Stop the Occupation" as they listened to a series of anti-war speeches.

"The war is illegal under international law," said Takeshiko Tsukushi, a member of World Peace Now, which helped plan the rally. "We want the immediate withdrawal of the Self Defense Forces and from Iraq along with all foreign troops."

Japanese Prime Minister Junchiro Koizumi is a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led coalition in Japan and dispatched 600 soldiers to the southern city of Samawah in 2004 to purify water and carry out other humanitarian tasks. The Cabinet approved an extension of that mission in December, authorizing the troops to stay in Iraq through the end of the year.

But public opinion polls show the majority of Japanese oppose the mission, which has been criticized as a violation of the country's pacifist constitution. Many say the deployment has made Japan a target for terrorism.

In Turkey, thousands gathered in Istanbul for protests and other demonstrations were planned in the cities of Izmir, Trabzon and the capital, Ankara.

Opposition to the war is nearly universal in Turkey and cuts across all political stripes.

"Murderer USA," read a sign unfurled by a communist in Taksim Square in Istanbul.

"USA, go home!" said red and black signs carried by hundreds of the some 5,000 protesters gathered in Kadikoy on the city's Asian coast.

Turkey is Iraq's northern neighbor and the only Muslim-majority member of the NATO military alliance. Historically close relations with the U.S. were severely strained after the Turkish parliament refused to allow U.S. troops to launch operations into Iraq from Turkish territory.

U.S. military planners said the move complicated operations by shutting down the U.S. option of opening a northern front in the 2003 invasion.

Since the war, support for the United States has plummeted in Turkey.

In Sweden, about 1,000 demonstrators gathered for a rally in Stockholm before a march to the U.S. Embassy. Some protesters carried banners reading "No to U.S. warmongering" and "USA out of Iraq," while others held up a U.S. flag with the white stars replaced by dollar signs.

"More and more people today are realizing that the Iraq war is becoming a new Vietnam," said Skold Peter Matthis, one of the organizers of the protest. "But today, the USA is even more dangerous than it was then, because they have a monopoly on being a superpower."

Anti-war demonstrations were also planned in Spain, Austria, Germany, Greece and Denmark.

Protesters carry empty coffins draped in the U.S. flag during an anti-war march and rally in Hollywood March 18, 2006. REUTERS/Phil McCarten

Actress Maria Bello speaks to thousands who turn out for an anti-war march and rally in Hollywood March 18, 2006. REUTERS/Phil McCarten

Anti-war demonstrators protest on the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq in San Francisco, California, March 18, 2006. Anti-war protesters marched through cities across the world on Sunday, three years after the invasion of Iraq, calling for U.S. and British troops to pull out.REUTERS/Kimberly White

Lee Staple, right, and Elaine Goduti from San Francisco stand outside their apartment and watch anti-war portesters march down the streets of San Francisco, Saturday, March 18, 2006. Thousands of anti-war protesters took to the streets around the world Saturday, marking the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq with demands that coalition troops leave immediately. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Protesters march in Minneapolis Saturday, March 18, 2006. Thousands of anti-war protesters took to the streets around the world Saturday, marking the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq with demands that coalition troops leave immediately. (AP Photo/Jayme Halbritter)

Protesters hold banners with names of people killed in the Iraqi war, Saturday, March 18, 2006, in Minneapolis Thousands of anti-war protesters took to the streets around the world Saturday, marking the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq with demands that coalition troops leave immediately. (AP Photo/Jayme Halbritter)

Protesters portraying US President George W. Bush (front) and Vice President Dick Cheney demonstrate during an anti-war protest in New York's Times Square. Thousands of people marched in several US cities against the US-led war in Iraq .(AFP/Nicholas Roberts)

amal Norcott of Ewing, N.J. prepares to toss flowers into the Delaware River in memory of soldiers killed in the Iraq war as he crosses between Trenton N.J. and Morrisville Pa., Saturday, March 18, 2006. Anti-war rallies were held on both sides of the river. (AP Photo/ J. Schear)

Hundreds march though New Haven, Conn., Saturday March 18, 2006 on their way to an anti-war rally on the New Haven, Green. Thousands of anti-war protesters took to the streets around the world Saturday, marking the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq with demands that coalition troops leave immediately. (AP Photo/Michelle McLoughlin)

Hundreds march through New Haven, Conn. Saturday, March 18, 2006, on their way to an anti-war rally on the New Haven Green. Opponents of the war in Iraq protested nationwide Saturday to express their anger over President Bush 's policies. (AP Photo/Michelle McLoughlin)

Demonstrators march down Massachusetts Ave. past the Islamic Center during an anti-war demonstration in Washington Saturday, March 18, 2005. Today marks the third anniversary of the U.S. led war in Iraq . (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Sisters, from left, Anna Peay, of Indianapolis, Mary Jane Mesner, of Indianapolis, Susan Coleman, of Brownsburg, Ind., and Sara Federle, of Indianapolis, cheer a speaker during an anti-war protest on Monument Circle in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 18, 2006. The peace rally was sponsored by Progressive Indiana and the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)

Heather Hannah, of Cicero, Ind., forms the peace sign as she listens to a speaker during an anti-war protest on Monument Circle in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 18, 2006. The peace rally was sponsored by Progressive Indiana and the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center. Demonstrators rallied to mark the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq , demanding that troops be pulled out. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)

Holding torches, some 3,500 people form the sign of peace during an anti-war peace rally in Heroes Square, in fort of the Millennium Memorial, rear, in central Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, March 18, 2006. The rally was organized by the Peace Chain movement to mark the third anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq . (AP Photo/MTI, Peter Kollanyi)

Craig Vanis, of Worcester, Mass., participates in an Iraq anti-war protest, Saturday, March 18, 2006, in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. Demonstrators rallied on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, demanding that troops be pulled out. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)

Protesters carry banners and shout slogans against the war in Iraq during a protest march on 42nd Street in New York March 18, 2006. Anti-war protesters marched through cities across the world, three years after the invasion of Iraq, calling for U.S. and British troops to pull out. REUTERS/Chip East

Turkish anti-war protesters run with banners reading: 'USA. Go Home' at a main street in Kadikoy district in Istanbul March 18, 2006, marking the third anniversary of a U.S. led invasion in Iraq . The banner in front reads 'Close Incirlik base. USA, Go Home', referring to the Turkish-U.S. run Incirlik Airbase in southern Turkish city of Adana. REUTERS/Ahmet Ada

Protesters march past Vittorio Emanuele's monument to Navona Square in central Rome March 18, 2006 in a demonstration marking the third anniversary since the invasion of Iraq . Thousands of anti-war protesters marched through Rome on Saturday, three years after the invasion of Iraq, calling for U.S. and British troops to pull out. REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico

U.S. citizens march to Navona Square in central Rome March 18, 2006 in a demonstration marking the third anniversary since the invasion of Iraq . Thousands of anti-war protesters marched through Rome on Saturday, three years after the invasion of Iraq, calling for U.S. and British troops to pull out. REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico

Anti-war protesters shout slogans as they march to Trafalgar Square in central London March 18, 2006. At least 14,000 anti-war protesters marched through London on Saturday, three years after the invasion of Iraq , calling for U.S. and British troops to pull out. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

An protester works on an anti-war installation, meant to represent blood droplets, in Parliament Square, central London, March 18, 2006, ahead of a demonstration marking the third anniversary since the invasion of Iraq . REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Anti-war protestors shout slogans as they march to Trafalgar Square in central London, March 18, 2006 in a demonstration marking the third anniversary since the invasion of Iraq . At least 14,000 anti-war protesters marched through London on Saturday, three years after the invasion of Iraq, calling for U.S. and British troops to pull out. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

A protester holds a poster against the war in Iraq during a anti-war demonstration in Berlin on Saturday, March 18, 2006. About 700 people took part at the rally marking the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq by demanding that coalition troops pull out. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Turkish anti-war protesters wave banners reading: 'USA. Go Home' while shouting slogans demanding coalition forces to pull out from Iraq as they march through a main street in Kadikoy district in Istanbul March 18, 2006, marking the third anniversary of the U.S. led invasion in Iraq. REUTERS/Fatih Saribas

Anti-war protestors carry a banner during a demonstration marking the third anniversary of the war against Iraq, on Saturday, March 18, 2006 in downtown Vienna, Austria. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)