The Guardian: Millions worldwide rally against any war on Iraq
Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/17/2003

The Uk daily the Guardian reported today that "Huge waves of demonstrations not seen since the Vietnam war jammed more than 600 towns and cities around the world over the weekend as protesters from Tasmania to Iceland marched against war in Iraq. Up to 30 million people demonstrated worldwide, including around 6 million in Europe, according to figures from organisers and police, although most conceded there were too many people in too many places to count."

The Guardian added "Action began on Friday when 150,000 protesters filed into Melbourne, with thousands more gathering across the rest of Australia and in New Zealand. Protests were still swelling yesterday in Sydney, San Francisco and in Oman - where 200 women filled the streets in the sultanate's first all-female demonstration. Smaller demonstrations choked streets from Cape Town, Dhaka and Havana to Bangkok. "

The Guardian reported that "In New York on Saturday organisers counted 400,000 demonstrators who, forbidden by a court order from marching, rallied within sight of the United Nations amid heavy security. They were joined by the South African archbishop Desmond Tutu, and actors Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover."

The Guardian added that "Sydney was the biggest demonstration in Australia's history, surpassing even the record set by Friday's demonstration in Melbourne," adding that in Spain, Madrid and Barcelona each "brought out around a million people on Saturday evening...It was the biggest outpouring of popular political sentiment - with the possible exception of some anti-Eta marches - since Spaniards took to the streets to protect their fragile young democracy after a coup attempt in 1981."

The Guardian said, in Italy, "March campaigners claimed three million pacifists 'invaded' Rome. Police said the true figure was around 650,000, though it was 'difficult to count'."

Previous Stories:
  World wide demonstration in protest of attacking Iraq, today   (2/15/2003)
  More diplomats withdrawn, embassies closed in Baghdad   (2/13/2003)
  Arab opposition to war against Iraq escalated   (2/11/2003)

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