Protests Around the World Oppose U.S. War Against Iraq
On Saturday, January 18, the 12th anniversary of the Gulf War, millions of protesters in more than 30 countries marched to demand that the U.S. back down from its threats of war against Iraq. In several of those countries, including Canada and Britain, protesters were also calling on their own governments to refuse to participate in any U.S. war.
By all accounts, the largest demonstrations were held in Washington, D.C., and in San Francisco. An estimated 200 000 people took to the streets in Washington, marching through the centre of the city, and overflowing the National Mall and Capitol grounds. One of the groups organizing the protests in the U.S. said they had mobilized people in more than 200 cities in 45 states to come to Washington and San Francisco for the demonstrations. In addition, there were large marches in dozens of other American cities. Americans were marching not only against war but also against new racist regulations which require men who have been born in predominantly Muslim countries to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Services.
In Canada, thousands of people from all walks of life, young and old, marched, sometimes braving frigid conditions, in 39 large and small cities across the country. The largest demonstrations were in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver and Edmonton. Community leaders, religious leaders, and several MPs lent their voices to the demand that Canada not participate in any war. The Canadian Council of Churches chose this weekend to begin circulating a statement to thousands of congregations opposing Canadian involvement in a U.S. war.
Large demonstrations took place in many world capitals, including London, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, Karachi and Damascus. The characterization of the U.S. as a rogue state was frequent. Many more protests are planned in the coming weeks. Anti-war activists all over the world have made it clear that they will not back down in the face of U.S. threats and intimidation, nor will they sanction their own governments support for or participation in the U.S. war efforts.
In the U.S., protest organizers have already announced the next round of demonstrations which will draw attention to the anticipated continued build up of U.S. troops in the Gulf region. They have called for a week or more of protests beginning on February 13, culminating with walkouts from colleges and high schools across the country on February 21, the anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X.