Thousands of protesters comprising a coalition of American anti-war organizations, led by military veterans as well as activists Ralph Nader and Cindy Sheehan, protested in Lafayette Park opposite the White House in Washington on Saturday to mark the seven year anniversary of the American-led military invasion of Iraq. Demonstrators at the event carried signs reading “Indict Bush Now” and flag-draped cardboard coffins urging the immediate withdrawal of all American soldiers currently occupying foreign countries.
After rallying at Lafayette Park, the protestors began marching through downtown Washington. Stops on the march route included military contractor Halliburton, the Mortgage Bankers Association and The Washington Post offices. Seven protesters, including Cindy Sheehan, were arrested following the rally. Sheehan had shouted “arrest that war criminal” through a bullhorn while pointing to the White House from an area of sidewalk police had closed off. The other six protesters were among a group of more than a dozen who had lain down on the sidewalk next to the row of cardboard coffins. The protest, which calls for the immediate withdrawal of American troops sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, drew a smaller crowd than the tens of thousands who marched in 2006 and 2007. But organizers said many more people have become disenchanted with President Barack Obama due to his recent surge of troops to occupy Afghanistan.
After rallying at Lafayette Park, the protestors began marching through downtown Washington. Stops on the march route included military contractor Halliburton, the Mortgage Bankers Association and The Washington Post offices. Seven protesters, including Cindy Sheehan, were arrested following the rally. Sheehan had shouted “arrest that war criminal” through a bullhorn while pointing to the White House from an area of sidewalk police had closed off. The other six protesters were among a group of more than a dozen who had lain down on the sidewalk next to the row of cardboard coffins. The protest, which calls for the immediate withdrawal of American troops sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, drew a smaller crowd than the tens of thousands who marched in 2006 and 2007. But organizers said many more people have become disenchanted with President Barack Obama due to his recent surge of troops to occupy Afghanistan.