March 19th marked the official 5 year anniversary of US occupation of Iraq. Demonstrations were conducted throughout the country this week, many aimed at raising awareness about the ongoing costs of the war and to protest US military and foreign policy.
In New York, activists assembled at St. Paul and St. Andrew’s Church on the corner of 86th Street and West End Avenue on Wednesday evening for a silent procession in opposition to the United States’ role in the conflict.
The demonstration was organized by members of West Side Peace Action and their allies in the Community Free Democrats, the Granny Peace Brigade, Code Pink and Iraq Veterans Against the War.
The events unfolded at 6pm, as approximately 40-60 protestors began to march from the church down Broadway to the plaza at 73rd Street and Broadway/Amsterdam. A number of passerbys joined the procession in support along the way.
Once the marchers reached the plaza, several speakers rallied the crowd, criticizing George Bush and Dick Cheney, and scolding those who continue to support "the blatantly illegal war in Iraq."
One speaker, a Vietnam veteran and New York City school teacher, cited recent budget cuts in city education and increases in subsidies for building contractors as being "unjust and unacceptable actions, while this government continues to finance an illegal and immoral war that never should have happend in the first place."
After standing in the cold rain to hear a few other speakers, the crowd moved hastily indoors to the St. Rutger’s Church on 73rd and Broadway where they continued their meeting.
The foul weather may have also had an impact on the turnout of the demonstration, as organizers had originally projected a larger number of participators.
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