Shame, cry Auckland demonstrators

Auckland protesters targeted the United States Consulate yesterday, saying the strike on Iraq was not justified.

The protesters gathered outside the consulate in Customs St at 5pm before marching to the British and Australian High Commissions.

The protest, organised by Auckland group Global Peace and Justice, was attended by 150 people.

The group held banners calling for peace and yelled out chants such as "no blood for oil" and "shame, shame, shame".

Traffic heading along Customs St was diverted to Queen and Commerce Sts as protesters took over the road outside the building for an hour.

Inspector Brett England, one of 12 police following the march, said there was no trouble.

Anglican and Catholic Bishops around the country issued a statement saying the war was unnecessary and unjust.

"We are at one with all who believe this war was not justified so long as other means of achieving disarmament had not yet been exhausted," they said. "There has still been no compelling evidence that a pre-emptive strike is justified."

In Australia, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets.

A crowd estimated by organisers to be about 40,000 strong and which police said numbered "tens of thousands" brought Melbourne to a standstill.

"I've come to protest against the war. It must stop now," said homemaker Anne Rowe, with tears streaming down her cheeks.

The 77-year-old lost her grandfather in World War I and her father in World War II.

Herald Feature: Iraq