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Protesters march against Iraq war Protesters march against Iraq war
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of demonstrators have been holding anti-war rallies as the anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq nears.Thousands of demonstrators have been holding anti-war rallies as the anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq nears.
Spain's protests were the largest in Europe, with some 20,000 people taking to the streets across the country. In Washington, thousands braved cold temperatures to march to the Pentagon carrying placards denouncing the war.
In Washington, Christian protesters led a march through the wind and rain to the Pentagon.
Tuesday marks four years since the war began. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have died as well as some 3,200 US troops.Tuesday marks four years since the war began. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have died as well as some 3,200 US troops.
In the Spanish capital, Madrid, protesters waved placards denouncing US President George W Bush and former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar for "war crimes". Other protest took part in US cities including Los Angeles, in European capitals and in Australia and Turkey.
Arrests 'Shadow of death'
Organisers in Washington said the bad weather had probably discouraged some from taking part in the march which followed the same path as a turning point rally against the Vietnam war in 1967. US anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, whose son died as a soldier in Iraq, said those marching were walking "in the shadow of the war machine".
On Friday, hundreds of protesters were arrested outside the White House "It's like being in the shadow of the death star. They take their death and destruction and they export it around the world. We need to shut it down," she said.
Dozens of protesters were arrested after a similar rally on Friday, fined for failing to keep moving on the pavement in front of the White House. Many carried black and yellow signs urging the US to leave Iraq as they made their way across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
On Saturday, a retired US marine held a sign saying, "Proud of our soldiers, ashamed of our president." Spain's march was among the world's largest
"We're fighting the wrong country," 47-year-old Jeff Carroll said, adding that the US should concentrate its efforts on Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan, rather than Iraq. Organisers said freezing temperatures had probably discouraged some from taking part in the march which followed the same path as a turning point rally against the Vietnam war in 1967.
Several thousand others, many members of the armed services, gathered in counter rallies in support of the war, playing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".Several thousand others, many members of the armed services, gathered in counter rallies in support of the war, playing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
In Los Angeles, police estimated that up to 6,000 people demonstrated in anti-war rallies which included flag-draped coffins being carried through the streets of Hollywood.
Europe-wide protests
Spain's protests were the largest in Europe, with some estimates putting the number of people taking part at 100,000.
In the Spanish capital, Madrid, protesters waved placards denouncing US President George W Bush and former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar for "war crimes".
Film director Pedro Almodovar was among those who took part.
He said he was present to protest against "the barbarities they have been committing in Iraq for the past four years."
In the Turkish city of Istanbul, more than 3,000 took part in protests, carrying signs reading "Bush go home" and "We are all Iraqis".In the Turkish city of Istanbul, more than 3,000 took part in protests, carrying signs reading "Bush go home" and "We are all Iraqis".
Several hundred people also gathered to voice their opposition to the Iraq war in the Spanish cities of Seville, Cadiz and Granada as well as the European capital cities of Athens, Copenhagen and Rome. Hundreds also gathered to voice their opposition to the Iraq war in the Spanish cities of Seville, Cadiz and Granada as well as the European capital cities of Athens, Copenhagen and Rome.
In Australia, small demonstrations were held in both Sydney and Melbourne.In Australia, small demonstrations were held in both Sydney and Melbourne.