March 19th 2005

March 19th 2005


Features and breaking news from around the country for the March 19th 2005 two year anniversary of the Iraqi invasion and occupation by the United States Government and Military.
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Protest in Fayetteville, NC led by Iraq Vets Against the War

NYC23 Mar 2005
March 19: 3500 people marched to Ft. Bragg to protest the war in Iraq. The protest was led by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Goldstar Families for Peace and Veterans for Peace

Multiple Marches Converge Against War

San Diego22 Mar 2005
From National City to Oceanside, from Chicano Park to Balboa Park, a diverse group of San Diegans marched through their own communities on March 19th to say, once more, no to war and no to occupation. The Resistencia Estudiantil march started at 7am at Southwestern, going through National City, Barrio Logan, Chicano Park, Sherman Heights, City College, and eventually, Balboa Park. The Code Pink March came from Oceanside, starting three days in advance and keeping it strong the whole way. At 2pm they all converged at the San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice's massive Anti-War rally.

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Stories: Pablo Paredes at Rally - War is good business for who?

Other Anti-War actions in San Diego: PHHS counter-recruitment action - Sean Hannity protest - Street Art Covers San Diego - Recruitment Centers Defaced Audio and Video to come. . .

Star Tribune shows Photo of Bush-Cheney supporter at War Protest

Minneapolis/St. Paul22 Mar 2005
More than 1000 persons protested in Minneapolis on March 19th to mark the second anniversary of the Iraq war. Roughly 350 persons held a vigil later that same evening in St Paul. There was very little coverage in the corporate media. View the images on this site to see what the media are hiding from their readers and viewers. This first article has photos from the Minneapolis event. A companion article will have photos from St Paul.

Grand Rapids marches against occupation of Iraq

Michigan22 Mar 2005
Approximately 75 people gathered in downtown Grand Rapids to call for an end to the United States' occupation of Iraq on the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. The rally, organized by the West Michigan Justice and Peace Coalition (WMJPC), featured speeches from two members of the WMJPC (one of whom is running for the school board) and a member of Confronting Empire. After the brief rally, a marching band organized by Confronting Empire led a march through downtown Grand Rapids. The "Radical Anti-Imperialist Marching Band" consisted of around twenty-five people playing a variety of percussion instruments and a saxophone while others twirled anarchist flags. The march was led by a large banner reading "US Out of Iraq" and flanked by banners reading "Stop US Imperialism" and "Capitalism Kills." At several points the march was able to take the streets blocking key intersections in downtown without drawing any attention from the police. Moreover, when the march stopped outside the DeVos Place and stole the attention of many attending the Sporting Expo. Unlike many previous marches in which energy has been low and reactions from passer-bys hostile, the energy on the march was high and the group generally received positive reactions from pedestrians, even when marching in the street.

Nashville Says "Bring the Troops Home Now!": Turnout Near 300 at Centennial Park

Tennessee21 Mar 2005
On Saturday, March 19th three hundred demonstrators lined the streets of West End Avenue with a message: Bring the Troops Home Now! On a day that started out with a good chance of rain, skies had cleared up by noon as demonstrators began to arrive at the park, even though the air was still cool and windy. The rain held out for the entirety of the rally, which lasted from noon until 3:00pm, going an hour over schedule. After the street demonstration there was a short walk to the Centennial Park bandshell to listen to speakers, music and spoken word.

Rev. Jackson: 'We can't give up! Protest. Be on the streets. We must not despair.'

NYC21 Mar 2005
NEW YORK, March 20 - Capping off the two year anniversary weekend of the invasion of Iraq, about 600 people gathered in the nave of Riverside Church Sunday evening to hear from an array of luminaries from many religious faiths as well as activists and politicans, at an Interfaith Service meant to reinvigorate support of ending the war in Iraq.

Antiwar movement unveils new strategy

DC21 Mar 2005
One the eve of the protest in Fayettsville, NC, antiwar activists formally unveiled a new strategy of protest aimed at stopping the Iraq war

Fayetteville Iraq War Demonstration Photo Essay

DC21 Mar 2005
a photographic essay of the day where thousands gathered to say "no more" to US troops in Iraq.

International Day of Protest on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq

San Francisco Bay Area21 Mar 2005
March 19, 2005, was an International Day of Protest on the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Over ten thousand people took to the streets of San Francisco. Elsewhere in California, thousands took to the streets of Los Angeles, and many people from all over the Central Valley gathered in Fresno for "the Rally in the Valley." Hundreds converged in San Diego, and in Eureka, thousands braved the rain to demand an end to the occupation of Iraq and the immediate withdrawal of US troops.
Articles, Photos, Audio and Videos from California

March 19th Action Page on Indymedia.us

There were many other protests around the US. Outside of California, the largest protests were in New York ( Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7   Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ) , Chicago (Photos: 1 | 2   Video: 1 | 2 ), and Fayetteville, North Carolina (Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 ) .
Thousands also took to the streets in Ann Arbor ( 1 | 2 ), Akron ( Audio:1 ). Atlanta ( Photos: 1 | 2 | 3   Video: 1 ), Baltimore (Photos: 1) , Boston (Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ), Champaign ( Photos: 1 ), Cleveland ( Photos: 1 ), Concord, NH (Photos:1), Denver (Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 ), Detroit (Audio: 1), Grand Rapids ( Photos: 1 ), Fayetteville, Arkansas (Photos: 1), Houston ( Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 ), Kansas City (Photos: 1), Las Vegas ( Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 ), Madison (Photos: 1 | 2 | 3   Video: 1 ), Miami (Video: 1 ), Milwaukee (Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 ), Minneapolis (Photos: 1 | 2 ), Nashville (Photos: 1 ), towns throughout New York State (Photos: 1 Video:1 | 2 ), Pittsburgh (Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 ), Portland (Photos: 1 | 2   Video: 1 ), Smaller towns in Oregon (Photos: 1 | 2 ), Seattle (Photos: 1) , St. Paul ( Photos: 1 ) , Tucson(Photos: 1 ), and Traverse City (Photos: 1 ).

Around the world, protests took place in Ankara, Athens, Auckland, Barcelona, Brasilia, Brussels, Bombay, Dublin, Cairo, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Montevideo, Rome, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo, Vancouver, Warsaw, Winnipeg and many other cities. There were also protests in Bulgaria, Sweden, Peru and Puerto Rico. Photos From Many Of These Protests

Read More Anti-War Protest News On Indybay's Anti-war News Page

Over 1500 join Minneapolis protest to say "U.S. Troops... Out Now!"

Minneapolis/St. Paul21 Mar 2005
1500 join Minneapolis anti-war protest. Link to photos.

Pictures of Iraq 2nd anniversary march in St. Paul

Minneapolis/St. Paul21 Mar 2005
Photos of one of the over 500 peace rallies on the second anniversary of the illegal and immoral invasion of Iraq.

March 19: an international day of resistance to empire, R-IMC calls for your reportback

Richmond21 Mar 2005
On March 19, 2003 the bombing of Baghdad commenced, with a massively destructive “shock and awe” tactic that was meant to force Iraqis into submission. Two years later, however, Iraqis are still resisting, and so are we.

"Why Aren't All Real Americans Outraged?"

Rogue Valley21 Mar 2005
Michelle Deford, Mother of Oregon National Guard Soldier killed in Iraq Addresses Hundreds of Demonstrators in Cottage Grove

Stretching for over 1/2 mile through the streets of Cottage Grove, over 350 people marched a string of prayer flags with the names of US soldiers and Iraqi civilians killed to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Iraq invasion and occupation. Michelle and Steven DeFord of Gold Star Families for Peace led the procession with a contigent of Veterans for Peace. Upon arriving at a downtown park adjacent to the Oregon National Guard Armory, Michelle and Steven laid a wreath in honor of their son, David Wayne Johnson, and the other Oregon National Guard soldiers killed in Iraq.

"Why aren't real Americans outraged? Corporate America has corrupted our politics....we are in Iraq to perpetuate the very excess that will bring this country to its knees," stated Michelle. Stephen followed her and reminded the crowd assembled that, "All of us need to be here. We need to stand up as groups and individuals to end this unjustifiable war!"

Thousands Rally on Boston Common Against the Occupation of Iraq--Boston City Councilor and Anarchist Youth Lead Unpermitted March--Four Unprovoked Arrest

Boston21 Mar 2005
Like many others across the world, on March 20--a global day of action--thousands of Bostonians gathered on the Boston Common to protest the continuing US occupation of Iraq in a rally organized by Boston Mobilization. The crowd size was large enough to make it difficult to estimate, with figures running between two and five thousand. Local activists, veterans of the invasion and occupation of Iraq and those with loved ones in the military spoke out powerfully against the war, mixed with a multicultural cast of musicians. The plan had been to close the rally with direct action, blockading the entrance to a near-by military recruiting station. In response, the military recruiting station simply shut down for the rest of the day. Instead, the final speaker, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, urged everyone still at the rally (a couple hundred people--the rally ran far over time) to join an unpermitted march originally planned by a group of young anarchists. The march snaked through the streets of downtown Boston before returning to Boston Common. There, some of the police began unprovoked attacks on activists, shoving people to the ground and arresting four. A stand-off ensued, with the police eventually pulling back. Plans are underway, with the support of Turner and Boston Mobilization, to support those arrested in court. The day’s actions managed to at least temporarily unite members of Boston progressive community across some of the racial, ideological and generational lines that often divide them.

Protests Counter Police Intimidation to Mark 2nd Anniversary of Iraq War

Chicago21 Mar 2005
M19Thousands of Chicagoans marched and rallied across Chicago on March 19, 2005, to commemorate the second anniversary of the beginning of Bush's war on Iraq, and to protest the continuing occupation and its lethal consequences at home and aborad. Feeder marches spanned the city, helping protesters get out a message that police fought to suppress in the central city. Protesters at Michigan and Oak faced a wall of riot cops -- part of the police policy to derail any opposition to the war in prominent public places, including a press conference. Besides pushing peaceful protesters west from Michigan, cops dispersed at least one feeder action with threats of mass arrests and designated Michigan Avenue a no-free-speech zone. Protesters got their message out anyway, through the neighborhood feeders and individual flyering by those able to dodge the police lines. A rally at the Federal Plaza was packed to overflowing. Independent coverage:

March 19th in HTX

Houston20 Mar 2005
On this past Saturday, the second anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, Houstonians commemorated the event with a number of events:

A march of between 200 and 300 people gathered at Dunleavy Park, and marched down Richmond Avenue, to Montrose where they headed south over highway 59 to Bell Park at Banks and Montrose. Among those present was a bike bloc of around 25 people, a antiwar profiteering bloc, and a fantastic sound system. At Bell Park, there was a long list of speakers, and a dance off with the 5 or 6 Protest Warriors who demonstated that they love the american flag and can not dance. Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Other events yesterday included a Sing Peace event downtown, and a Film Screening at Dunleavy Park. If you attended either of these events, please upload pictures and stories to our newswire.

Around the country and across the globe, people mobilized in opposition to war and and American Imperialism.

"Bloodbath" at Roslindale Military Recruiting Center

Boston20 Mar 2005
BOSTON – On the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a group of local activists staged a dramatic protest outside the Armed Forces Recruiting Center at 650 American Legion Highway in Roslindale. At noon, the Boston Direct Action Project dumped five gallons of fake blood and then took up positions on the doorstep. The activists portrayed a dead Iraqi woman, her grieving husband, a dead U.S. soldier and his grieving wife.
br> The action lasted 90 minutes, and there were no arrests. The blood flowed forty feet into the parking lot, attracting scores of local residents. The community was largely supportive, and many onlookers stopped to talk to members of the Project, who handed out informational flyers with suggested alternatives to military service.

Fayetteville Stands For Peace

Arkansas20 Mar 2005
I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air--

Hundreds Protest in Downtown Champaign as War in Iraq Enters Third Year

Urbana-Champaign20 Mar 2005
On the second anniversary of the beginning of Bush's "preemptive" war of choice on Iraq, hundreds of local residents gathered on an afternoon only slighty warmer than a compassionate conservative's heart to protest the toll of Bush's war on Iraq and its people, on the youth of America, and on a national budget cut to the bone to finance the war and tax cuts for the wealthy.

"Peace Now" Anti-War Protest Ends in Arrests

Las Vegas20 Mar 2005

Saturday, March 19, 2005 marks the 2nd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. It also marks a moment in history where the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) used heavy-handed tactics on peaceful people expressing their opinions in a public forum, once protected under the U.S. constitution.

A group of over 90 people marched from L.V. Blvd. and Sahara between 6 and 9 p.m. with plans to have a candlelight vigil in front of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.

[ Read More... | Legal Defense Website | Legal Defense Fund Help Article | Review Journal Action Article | Counter-Recruitment Action | Pictures: 1 - 2 - 3 ]

2nd year of Iraq war protests

LA20 Mar 2005
Hollywood, March 19, 2005 2000+ Angelenos marched against the war in Iraq, marking two years since US forces invaded and occupied the country.

Reports from the Hollywood march:

Photos from March 19th Anti War rally in Hollywood by punk rocker

March 19th Action by Andrea

2000 Mark 2nd Anniversary of Iraq Invasion by peter

Photos of March 19th rally in Hollywood by Cornelius Cardew

Anti-War Demonstration in Hollywood, California by manicatack

March 19th, 2005 by Southern California Anarchist Federation

More Photos from Hollywood March 3/19 by RadiDem

M19 Peace March by Marcus

2nd anniversary of Iraq invasion - Protest in Hollywood by Eric Balaire

Report from Santa Monica, March 17, 2005:

Santa Monica City College Students Protest Army Recruitment Center by A

Commentary on the Hollywood march: critique of 3/19 by activism

Anti-War Events Across Region on Second Anniversary of Iraq War

NYC20 Mar 2005
The New York City region blossomed with dozens of de-centralized anti-war actions on the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Last night, United for Peace and Justice dispatched a bus to Ft. Bragg, culminating hours later with the largest rally ever outside the North Carolina army base.

Back in the city, a variety of other groups seized the anti-war initiative. A Troops Out Now! march from Harlem to Central Park attracted thousands and culminated in a march Mayor Bloomberg's townhouse. [Photos and Story || Photo 1 || 2 || Video 1 || 2]

Meanwhile, the War Resister's League engaged in civil disobedience ouside recruiting stations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, staging die-ins and blockading entrances. [Press Release || Photos 1 || 2 || Video 1 || 2]

The morning saw a bicycle anti-war solidarity ride and, despite a significant police presence, no arrests. Anarchists staged their own last minute march, banners were dropped in New Jersey, and New Paltz saw 1500 protest.

Coverage from March 20, 2004 || Coverage From March 20, 2003

Global Coverage || U.S. Coverage

Photo: Fred Askew


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