CAIRO: Thousands of protestors stood up against the occupation and quagmire in Iraq during demonstrations in Washington DC last Saturday. The demonstration was predominately organized by Answer coalition, Iran Veterans Against the War, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Not In Our Name, among other anti-war organizations. Answer coalition estimated 100,000 people attended the demonstration on Saturday. Protesters staged acts of civil disobedience, particularly laying on the ground, imitating the dead and the casualties in Iraq, resulting in hundreds of arrests after clashes with riot police. According to Indymedia, a global network of participating journalists, about 175 protesters were arrested, but Al-Jazeera, presented figures at around 200. Counter protestors also had their say. Around 1,000 gathered 13 blocks away, carrying American flags and chanting U-S-A. But observers say that the anti-war sentiment was prevalent. The situation in Iraq has escalated to a new level. The anti-war movement has gotten stronger due to the continuing ruthless occupation of Iraq. However, a good amount of Americans in the anti-war movement are not so much opposed to the war because they feel the occupation is morally wrong, but rather it has not been successful. So as you can see we have a lot of work to do to change the consciousness in the movement, a student from City College of New York, who is affiliated with the New Black Panther Party, told Daily News Egypt. One student at the American University in Cairo presented a somewhat different view. I am opposed to the war in Iraq morally, but more so strategically. I would not be opposed to the invasion if allegations of Saddam Hussein s connection to terrorism were true, and if we had a better plan to stabilize the country, he told Daily News Egypt. Major news sources in the West, such as CNN, BBC, and Fox News have failed to give extensive coverage, if any, of the recent demonstration. Despite the overwhelming discontent with continuing the occupation of Iraq, leaders in Washington are still pressing their case for completing the mission in Iraq. I would hope that for the sake of our security interests, for the sake of America s own safety, that we can continue this very important and noble mission, but that we will be able to do it. And that is what General Petraeus has told the president, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Pamela Smith from KATV (ABC). In an address to the nation, President Bush echoed the same sentiment, but his words expressed an uncertainty of success in Iraq. In Iraq, an ally of the United States is fighting for its survival, he said, ending his speech with optimism that is not shared by the majority of Americans. Some say the gains we are making in Iraq are coming too late. They are mistaken. It is never too late to deal a blow to Al-Qaeda. It is never too late to advance freedom. And it is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win.
