Democracy at Work in Iraq: Thousands of Demonstrators Tell US to Get Out

Tens of thousands of Iraqis marked the second anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein by marching here in the capital on Saturday to demand the withdrawal of American forces. Meanwhile, one of the most lethal insurgent groups warned Iraqis against joining the army or the police force. Most protesters were followers of Moktada al-Sadr, the rebel Shiite cleric who has led several armed uprisings against American forces but who has recently begun to take part in democratic politics. The demonstrators gathered at Firdos Square in central Baghdad, where American troops and Iraqis pulled down a huge statue of Mr. Hussein on April 9, 2003, in a moment captured on television cameras and seen around the world. A year ago, the square was sealed off by American soldiers as Mr. Sadr's guerrillas rose up across the country. Demonstrators held up large photographs of Mr. Hussein that were taken after his capture, showing the former dictator looking shaggy and old. The marchers also burned large photos of President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain. [more]

• Pictured above: Thousands of Iraqi Shi'ites loyal to cleric Moqtada al-Sadr hold a protest in Baghdad April 9, 2005. The rally was called on the second anniversary of the fall of Baghdad with protesters demanding an end to the U.S. military presence in Iraq and a speedy trial for former president Saddam Hussein. [more]
• As of 4/9/2005 at least 1,545 members of the U.S. military have died in Bush War of Choice [more]