Democracy at Work in Iraq: Thousands of Demonstrators Tell US to Get Out
Saturday, April 9, 2005 at 11:56PM
TheSpook
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]
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