Five Years On: A Grim Anniversary in Iraq

by jordan | March 15, 2008 at 01:59 pm | 573 views | 2 comments

Demonstration against the US-war of Iraq

The world approaches the five-year mark in the US-led occupation of Iraq. Ahead of the March 19 anniversary, organizations around the world are staging protests and events to remind world leaders that opposition to the occupation still exists.

This weekend, thousands of people will gather in Los Angeles to protest on the 5th anniversary of the criminal Iraq war. Buses and carpools are coming from all over Southern California to join the protest.

Protests are brewing in the UK as well, as demonstrators from across Britain gather in London and Glasgow.

Thousands of anti-war protesters rallied to demand Britain withdraw its troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Activists urging an end to Britain's role in overseas' wars gathered in Trafalgar Square, central London, for a march on parliament.

The protest, organised by the Stop the War Coalition, was called to mark the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Demonstrators called for no US attack on Iran and for an end to the "siege" of Gaza.

Organisers in London estimated up to 40,000 people joined the protest. Police said no arrests were made. They estimated numbers at 10,000.

Wonkette has a short op-ed that marvels at how the "quickie war" has turned into a quagmire without a visible end, or even a coherent victory condition. The article also briefly touches on the media-fatigue surrounding the invasion, as well as the bread-and-circus attitude taken by mainstream media in serving up entertainment instead of news.

Coinciding with this anniversary is the Winter Soldier conference, in which coalition veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are giving testimony on their experiences in the field and back at home.

If it achieves nothing else, mass protest shows the world that the US is not acting as a unified front in its foreign policy, and, domestically, reminds elected officials that their constituents are capable of organizing for a political goal-- worth bearing in mind when seeking re-election.

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joellerose

at 16:58 on March 15th, 2008

It would be more grim if we had not gone in and 10's of thousands more Americans had been killed in terrorist acts here and across the middle east. It would be more grim if we lost access to mid-east oil, or if Saddam had continued the Oil for Food program, supplying funds to terrorists. Thank God for the courage and insight of President Bush.