Volume 134, Issue 5
Students Join Largest Anti-War Protest Since Vietnam
Thousands of Americans send message to Bush administration: ³No War In Our Name²
Makeshift signs abound. |
Bush portrayed as a puppet controlled by his Uncle Sam. |
War protesters wave anti-war banner in front of City Hall. |
Police and organizers suggested the anti-war demonstration was likely the largest protest since the Vietnam era.
International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism), a coalition of antiwar groups that organized the demonstration, said more than 80,000 attended the march, which began at Justin Herman Plaza and ended with a rally at the Civic Center.
The protest was in response to President Bushıs intention to attack Iraq in the event that itıs government refuses U.N. arms inspectors unconditional access to alleged arms facilities.
³The Bush administration wants total control of Iraqıs resources,² according to Richard Becker, a member of the A.N.S.W.E.R. steering committee and West Coast coordinator of the International Action Center in San Francisco.
³The talk of weapons of mass destruction and human rights violations is a farce,² said Becker.
³Any United States invasion would defy international law and world opinion,² said Becker.
Two common themes echoed in the chants and signs: A war against Iraq would be unjustified and there is no consensus for it.
The only black cloud marring an otherwise successful and peaceful event happened moments before the 11 a.m. start.
A man and woman on their way to the rally in a privately owned bus were critically injured when they popped their heads out of the sunroof as the vehicle entered into the Broadway Tunnel.
Both were listed in critical condition with massive injuries to the head by San Francisco General Hospital.
Saturday marked the one year anniversary of the USA PATRIOT Act, signed by President Bush October 26, 2001 and enacted in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Among the speakers at the event were California Democratic Representative. Barbara Lee, who opposed a congressional resolution on using force against Iraq; San Francisco Supervisors Tom Ammiano and Mark Leno; actor Mike Ferrell; Ron Kovic, author of ³Born on the Fourth of July;² Richard Mead, president of International Longshore and Warehouse Union; Dr. Helen Caldicott and Ramiz Rafeedie, Free Palestine Alliance.