Thousands of protesters clogged the streets of downtown Washington Saturday as they rallied against the war in Iraq with a message to "bring the troops home now."
The events, organized by a group called United for Peace and Justice, featured speeches by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who gained notoriety when she camped out for 26 days in front of President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas.
The rally was the beginning of a three-day-long campaign. It was described as the largest protest held in Washington since the war began, according to CNN. Police said 150,000 people attended the rally and events.
"The war in Iraq is without a moral foundation and has no future," Jackson said. "It was built on lies and now we are losing lives, money and honor. This war is not popular in any country in the world, including our own."
At the rally, Sheehan told The Eagle her son would be proud of her, and that AU "needs to kick the [military] recruiters off campus."
However, many people question how to rebuild Iraq if the troops leave, and how the country could regain stability.
"I want them to rebuild their own country," Sheehan said in an interview. "They have a vast job shortage and we need to help them in anyway we can, but not with our military."
"George Bush certainly isn't doing his job, so we have to do our job as Americans," Sheehan said during her speech. "We need to be the checks and balances on this out-of-control criminal government."
"It's really great to show that there is a huge number of people that are like-minded, and to give physical representation for the students," said Jessica Phillips, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs. "[Sheehan] is going to be a symbol. She is definitely drawing attention."
Brian Kruglak, a senior in SPA, was one of the organizers who brought some AU students to the rally.
"I don't really think a march is going to do anything," he said. "I think it is important that we are marching, but there is not much else to do."
Among the other speakers at the demonstration were anti-war student activism leaders, mothers of soldiers killed in Iraq and religious leaders.
The rally lasted for about an hour until the protesters marched by the White House and around to the Capitol. Security was expectedly high, with hundreds of police standing by, snipers on the roof of the White House and federal helicopters canvassing the area. Sgt. Joe Gentile, Public Information Officer for D.C. police, declined to specify exactly how many officers were on duty. However, there were mainly only minor arrests and disruptions, Metro police and U.S. Park Police said.
In response to the anti-war rally, a counter-rally was held Sunday on the eastern part of the mall. Supporters gathered to remember and honor active-duty soldiers, veterans and those who died in combat. America Move Forward organized the event called "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy."
Milla Savelieff, vice president of the AU College Republicans, was one of the participants in Sunday's pro-war rally.
"[The anti-war supporters] had a lack of respect. Sometimes a lot of it is hurting the troops' morale. The majority of [the troops] feel that what they are doing is the right thing to do," Savelieff said. "I think Cindy is trying to speak too much for other people."
Organizers of Sunday's pro-war rally expected about 20,000 people to attend, but only about 400 supporters were there, according to the Associated Press.
