Huge rally says no to Iraqi war

By MARK WILKINSON in Washington

Tens of thousands of anti-war protesters marched peacefully on the White House yesterday to express opposition to a possible United States attack on Iraq, some chanting slogans accusing President George W. Bush of planning genocide.

Thousands more people took part in anti-war demonstrations in San Francisco, Berlin, Amsterdam and other cities.

"This is going to be an ugly, unnecessary fight. Most of the world is saying 'no' to it," civil rights leader the Rev Jesse Jackson told the crowd at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

"Pre-emptive, one-bullet diplomacy, we cannot resort to that."

Actress Susan Sarandon, who supports numerous liberal causes, accused Bush of having "hijacked our losses and our fears". Terrorism could not be fought with violence and most Americans did not want a conflict.

"Let us resist this war," she told the cheering crowd. "Let us hate war in all its forms, whether the weapon used is a missile or an airplane."

Demonstrators of all ages, religions and nationalities gathered at the memorial before marching behind Jackson to the White House. Bush, however, was in Mexico for a summit of Pacific Rim leaders.

The protesters brandished signs reading: No Proof, No War, Bush Sucks and Pre-emptive Impeachment. Some protesters carried Iraqi flags. "No war, no way," shouted a protester wearing a mask of Bush with horns and a pitchfork.

"George Bush, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide!" chanted the demonstrators, who were escorted by mounted US park police and watched by 600 police officers along the route in the heart of the nation's capital.

Bush has made "regime change" in Iraq - ousting President Saddam Hussein - a policy of his Administration. He has said that if the United Nations fails to compel Iraq to give up any weapons of mass destruction - chemical, biological or nuclear arms - it possesses, the US would do so by force if necessary. Congress has given Bush the authorisation he sought to carry out a possible attack.

Police did not give an official estimate of the size of the crowd in Washington. Organiser Tony Murphy said 150,000 people participated. Other observers put the figure between 40,000 and 50,000.

In San Francisco, known for its liberal politics and history of activism, a crowd that police estimated at about 42,000 marched near the city's historic Ferry Building to its Civic Centre.

A group of about 20 children led the parade as protesters carried signs bearing pictures of Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld beneath the words "weapons of mass destruction".

Other signs read: "No blood for oil" and "Regime change begins at home. Vote on November 5", referring to the congressional elections.

In Germany, demonstrations were staged in about 70 towns and cities. The largest was in Berlin, where almost 10,000 people marched. In Amsterdam, some 4000 people rallied in heavy rain to protest against US policy.

- REUTERS

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