Anti-war protests mark fifth anniversary of Iraq war in San Francisco

Source: Xinhua | 03-20-2008 08:09

LOS ANGELES, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in San Francisco on Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.

Iraq War demonstrators, wearing masks, march in front of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 19, 2008, to mark the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq. (Xinhua Photo)

The protests took place at several downtown locations, with reported brief clashes between demonstrators and police, witnesses said.

The main group of protesters carried signs, shouted slogans and blasted music as they roamed the Financial District. Some threw play money in the air and waved pink flags.

About 150 people were arrested by mid-afternoon as police tried to clear some locations of the protesters, according to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.

One scuffle took place after about two dozen demonstrators staged a "die-in" in the intersection of Market and New Montgomery streets about 12:15 p.m. and were surrounded by 80 police officers in riot gear.

After more than two hours of protests -- and about 100 arrests -- authorities finally cleared the intersection and reopened Market Street to traffic at 2:30 p.m.

As protesters were arrested, more demonstrators from the scores who were watching from the sidewalk rushed to fill their place. Among those taken away were 20 people, calling themselves Act Against Torture, who were wearing orange jumpsuits with black hoods over their heads, said the report.

"We're here to get arrested," said Leslie Mullin, 63. "The people have to step into this war because none of the government officials want to do it for us. We've gone all over town and people are saying, 'Good for you.' "