UNITED STATES: 'Drop Bush not bombs!'

Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States mobilised on January 18 to oppose a US-led war on Iraq. A crowd estimated at between 100,000 and 200,000 rallied and marched in Washington. They listened to the radical British band Chumbawamba and heard speeches from Democrat politician Jesse Jackson, Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic and actor Jessica Lange. Popular placard slogans included “No blood for oil!” and “Drop Bush not bombs”. The San Francisco march was estimated at up to 100,000. Thousands also attended protests in towns across the USA. The protests were organised by the International Act Now to Stop War and End Racism coalition. Protests were also held across Canada, Europe and the Middle East to coincide with the US actions, attracting tens of thousands.