Protest Says No to Iraq War, Bush

As thousands of demonstrators crossed the intersection at Madison Avenue and 40th Street, walking under a banner reading "The World Still Says No to War," they were greeted by a yell.

"Ten 'Bush Lies' for one dollar!" shouted a man selling stickers at the gates of the march.

New York was one of almost 250 American cities where demonstrators used signs, rallies, and chants on Saturday to say that they were still opposed to the Iraq war a year after it began. They joined protesters around the world, from Crawford, Texas, to Cairo, Egypt, to Madrid, Spain, the site of a recent terrorist-linked attack.

"We are united through this beautiful, powerful protest," said one voice coming through the loudspeakers on Madison Avenue early in the afternoon. "Let's get Bush out of office and our troops out of Iraq!"

A diverse crowd of demonstrators strolled in a loop--along Madison and 6th Avenue, from 23rd to 40th Street--amid drums, dances, cheers, and blaring loudspeakers from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Police shut down traffic in the area, and most businesses were closed.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg estimated about 30,000 marchers attended, while organizers say it was closer to 100,000. While there were four arrests and four charges of disorderly conduct, police and organizers both noted how peaceful the demonstration was, according to The New York Times.

"It's a little more subdued this time compared to last February," said protester Ryan Andrew. "This time, we have a permit to march. And it's still important to get the message out about this war."

Protesters ranged from union workers to professional activists to Palestinian and Haitian Americans. Tri-state area residents also marched alongside the major groups. But many said that it was poor planning to hold the march while the two main New York universities, Columbia and New York University, were on Spring Break.

While ending Bush's presidency was a major aim of the protest, his administration's unpopularity was not necessarily a big win for the Democrats. There were many signs supporting Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), but almost none trumpeting Senator John Kerry (D-MA), the likely Democratic candidate. Kucinich also spoke to the crowd early in the afternoon. Kerry did not attend.

Holding a sign saying "John Kerry--Why Aren't You Here," Susie Patlove of Massachusetts echoed the sentiments of many marchers.

"It will be really hard to vote for Kerry," she said.

"We sent a message to John Kerry and the people he wants to send to Washington," said one speaker through the speaker systems set up at intersections throughout the procession. "We're not going away."

But while many carried banners for Kucinich--a long shot for the nomination--there was little support for independent candidates.

"Ralph Nader is a great man who's doing evil things right now," said Kevin Carroll of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats. "We can't let him hand a victory to Bush."

Signs and speeches mostly focused on the war in the Iraq. Many marchers said that other issues, like the economy and education, could be linked to the war.

"They want control of the oil in the Mideast. Bush's corporate cronies are the reason why the economy is not recovering," said Carlene Clements of Massachusetts.

One group, calling themselves "Billionaires for Bush" and dressed in top hats and sequined gowns, drew attention and laughs as they voiced mock support for the President's policies, chanting "Wealth care, not health care," "This is what plutocracy looks like," and "Four more wars!"

Little support for President Bush or the Iraq war was present at the march, with only a few sign holders and chanters off to the side at a handful of intersections.