Posted March 27, 2003

Regarding "Commissar Frum" by Justin Raimondo:

As a Canadian I find David Frum to be one big national embarrassment. We are treated regularly to his drivel on this side of the border. I read his article "Unpatriotic Conservatives" and he seemed so beside himself that he appeared at times to be completely incoherent. And this was the man that wrote speeches for your President! Please go easy on him though. It is largely genetic as his late mother Barbara was somewhat of a broadcasting icon north of the 49th parallel. We had to listen to her babble nonsense on a regular basis on that great waste of taxpayers money, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

But hey, the neocons' days are probably numbered and desperate people resort to desperate measures. And as a member of the antiwar right, I thank you for a terrific site. When one can quickly link to the writings of Pat Buchanan, Charley Reese, Thomas Fleming, amongst others, it is real pleasure. Keep up the great work.

~ RC, Vancouver, Canada

I've just written, and tomorrow will send to you, a small check to help support Antiwar.com and thank you for "Behind the Headlines".

You've been on my radar since about five years ago, and seeing your development since that time is, well, really exciting. You now offer some of the best political analysis/commentary on the Net, or anywhere, and the writing is terrific – smart and informed as ever, but now lean, muscled, powerful, and often wickedly hilarious. You do for political posturing what Anthony Lane does for bad filmmaking.

Five years – so why stir to action now? Because of "Shine, Perishing Republic" for starters, and "Commissar Frum", which is a sure bet for inclusion in the "Best of Raimondo". ...

Anyway – I rarely send such letters, but you deserve this one and many more. And contributions. Mustn't forget contributions. Mine's on the way. Keep writing.

~ MSF

In his column on David Frum's slam against antiwar conservatives, Justin Raimondo comments on the absurdity of the charge that using the expressions "neocon" "neoconservative" and "neoconservatism" is anti-semitic code. Raimondo points out that if true, this would put "dozens of books, and many more academic dissertations" into the category of "hate speech". He gives three examples, none of which I am familiar with. He should have added another example: Neo-Conservatism: The Autobiography of an Idea. This book from 1995 is a collection of
essays by: Irving Kristol.

Does Frum think that Kristol is a closet anti-semite? After all, he is using that nasty code language in his writings.

Maybe, after suitable public exposure and castigation, Irving will apologize and mend his ways.

Just having a little fun.

Keep up the good work at Antiwar.com: it's more necessary than ever now.

~ Mark S. Reglewski

Thank you for your excellent article. Keep up the good work. As a strong objector of this stupid war, I felt some relief of my frustrations knowing that some out there see this hypocrisy for what it really is. ...

As an infantry Vietnam vet, I give thanks to the protesters of that era that they brought another stupid war to an end halting the unnecessary deaths for both sides. I am disgusted every time that I hear someone suggest that opposing the war equates to failure to support our troops. To the contrary, I believe those of us opposed to the war feel a genuine concern for our troops.

As in Vietnam, senior officers are anxious for combat to gain their "CIB" and the opportunity of accelerated rank. Even worse they are so eager to try out their new toys. Can that be a just cause for war.

And now we have the fools in the media who are so anxious to also try out their new toys. I can only pray that we will be spared the reality of a serious "fire-fight".

During the sniper crisis, the damn media couldn't hardly wait for another shooting so they would have something to report. Why don't they get off their asses and find something worthwhile to report on. Now their job is being done for them at the expense of young men and women's lives.

~ J.T.

You should mention this:

"The Red Cross yesterday warned that a humanitarian disaster was imminent in Basra, where water and electricity supplies have been cut off for more than two days. Electricity cables powering the major Wafa al-Quaid water station – which supplies two million people and is the biggest source in the region – have been destroyed." ("Hidden dangers facing British troops," The Scotsman)

This was, apparently, done by the "allies" to lay Basra under siege and is illegal under international law since it is civilian infrastructure.

~ William Blair

Regarding "War: Who Goes; Who Stays" by Douglas Herman:

We have to have oil and we have to control the flow of that oil. The French and Russians are trying to do that and so we must move in there and take it by force.

This Iraqi leader is a bad boy . He needs killing. He is in power and in cahoots with those communist Russians and the communist French. He was in cahoots with the Clinton communists group too.

We need to take our VOLUNTEER armed forces and run this world the way we want to. It is us against the commie gangs out there.

~ David R.

Regarding "The Arrogance of Power" by Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D – WV):

Nice screed by Senator Byrd. Touching. Also true, but yet a bit short of the mark. The good Senator might stand to be advised that many Americans now know why Iraq has been targeted by the Cheney/Bush oil junta. Obviously it has nothing to do with the War on Terrorism. Obviously it has nothing to do with relieving the people of Iraq from Saddam's iron-fisted dictatorship. Some of us think it has to do with global supremacy manifest by control over Eurasia and Eurasian resources, including gold, opium, and oil. I trust Mr. Byrd shall find time to read The Grand Chessboard by Zbigniew Brzezinski. Iraq is likely to be seen within two years to have been but a stepping stone.

Thank you very much for posting Mr. Byrd's comment. If he becomes concerned enough to actually do something, you might please remind him that Representative Ron Paul, (R, TX), has a "Liberty Committee" which can help him.

~ Elias Alias, TheMentalMilitia.org

Regarding "What War?" by Thomas R. Eddlem:

Thank you for your analysis of what is happening in Iraq. Please explain to US citizens that this war is definitely illegal, unmoral and stupid. After 9/11, the French were with you and liked you. After the Iraq war, the whole world will be against you. Moreover, you will be probably struck by other 9/11s. We French people have had this kind of experience! Which country will be the next, after Iraq?

~ Bertrand Carbonel

Here's Your War

Someone with the money and balls to do so should put that photo of the man carrying the horribly wounded (killed?) little girl on huge billboards across the country with these words: "Here is your war."

~ Steve Smith, North Carolina

Regarding "A No-Winner" by Justin Raimondo:

I agree with you that a call for more rallies may, emphasize may, be able to stop the war, but the real need is to focus this organizational power to remove every incumbent who declares support for the war, the administration, the "troops" in rhetoric or with their votes. Senator, Representative, your local dogcatcher, EVERY one of them. Support the opponent, no matter who, throw the bums out. And Bush of course, tops the list.

~ Carter Mitchell, Gurnee, Illinois

Enjoyed your article. Same thing in the Civil War. A half-starved, ragtag Confederate was ask by a Union soldier why he was fighting when he didn't own any slaves, the reply was "because y'all down here."

'Nuff said.

~ Charles Tanger

It's rather ironic that Justin is calling for the UN, which was unable to prevent this war, to now stop this war, which I believe is unwise but not immoral. If Bush is adopting a policy of might makes right, then how will the US be dissuaded from its present path? Russia threatening to use its nukes? I can see no other path.

The US, if it were to back down now, would suffer a massive credibility problem. While many in the world would applaud such a move, the Islamist nutcases (who will hate the US no matter what) would certainly be emboldened by such a move. Witness how bin Laden was encouraged by American reaction after Mogadishu '93.

Bush has truly placed us in a no-win situation. It would be best for the USA to adopt a Swiss-style foreign policy of permanent neutrality. Chaos in other regions of the world need not affect the USA. If there are problems in the Balkans or the Mideast, let the Europeans handle it. It is indeed a tragedy what goes on in Iraq (I for one am sick and tired of those who compare Bush to Hitler), but it simply is not the job of the USA to protect the freedoms of other people around the world.

Get out of NATO, get out the UN and get our troops out of every foreign country, around the world. Let the Islamist nutcases hate us, but if they strike us, we strike back ten times as hard. Those who speak to us in violence will have violence spoken back to us.

– Shawn Pickrell

After reading Pat Buchanan's brave and humane piece in "The American Conservative" about the warmongers who've goaded Bush into making war on the Iraqis and perhaps the Arab world, I immediately got a subscription to his magazine.

But now I read today in J. Raimondo's column that Buchanan is going soft on the war and spouting rubbish about "supporting the troops." Why should I support the ones doing the killing? Actually, I do support the troops by wanting them back on U.S. soil with their loved ones. I won't support them as they invade a foreign country.

I'll wait for a few more issues of AMCON to see if Buchanan's new view is reflected in what I hoped would be a truly conservative bulwark against the war. But I may end up canceling.

~ D.E.

"No Winner" was worthy of Michael Moore. Why were the Pentagon generals, who expressed caution before the Iraq war, ignored? Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld may get their prize but over how many dead bodies? And how much shame to America? The friendly fire attacks on the Brits; the fragging of officers; the "accidental" missile attacks on Syria and Iran will win us NO friends. Indeed I expect small nations may now begin to form alliances, secret and not so secret, to resist the US in case of attack, similar to the pacts formed before 1914. Justin: Keep Hammering! As Socrates said of himself – "I fawn on those who I like; I bark at those who I hate: and I sink my teeth into scoundrels." Keep barking, Justin – keep biting these scoundrels.

~ Douglas Herman, a disgruntled veteran

Though I'm a leftist, I think you're a wonderful writer and Antiwar.com is an invaluable resource. I thought you might be interested in the following quote that appeared at the end of an article in Ha'aretz by the hawkish Uzi Benziman:

"After the war in Iraq, Israel will try to convince the US to direct its war on terror at Iran, Damascus and Beirut. Senior defense establishment officials say that initial contacts in this direction have already been made in recent months, and that there is a good chance that America will be swayed by the Israeli argument." (Uzi Benziman, "Corridors of Power: Who would give the go-ahead?," Ha'aretz on-line (Israel), March 24, 2003)

Also, in regards to the expectation that liberated Iraqis would be cheering on the rooftops at our arrival, here's a memorable quote from the London Guardian ["Resistance raises fears for the endgame"]:

"The captured or deserting soldiers interviewed by western journalists so far clearly do detest the Iraqi dictator but are less than overjoyed to see US and British soldiers rolling across their country. One Iraqi PoW told a New York Times reporter that President Saddam had been such a disaster for his country that he must be an American agent."

Pretty much says it all.

~ Sunil Sharma, Editor, Dissident Voice newsletter, DissidentVoice.org, Santa Rosa, California

Wonderful Website

This note is long overdue. I have been following your site since it was first recommended to me by Daniel Ellsberg in September. You are a lifesaver. Thank you for your exceptional work and objective reporting.

Like most sensible people, I felt something was out of whack shortly after the 911 event. Dubya said that he'd call for a full investigation and has done his utmost to block any inquiries since. Having worked for the airlines for 13 years, I saw this violation of the FAA's policy of "standard operating procedures" (when a plane flies off course or fails to respond to an FAA directive) as a cover-up. My instincts told me something was wrong and your site, along with Michael Ruppert's, Common Dreams, CounterPunch and a few others confirmed this. The "mission" has now become one of downloading audio files from the "A-infos Radio Project", Democracy Now and Flashpoints on KPFA radio and burning these to CD to share with doubters. I also recommend your site to all who are asking for enlightenment. ...

If you could advise as to where I might send a check once I get paid I would be grateful. I'm ashamed of having taken a "free ride" on your site since September. I will rectify that as soon as I have the funds.

Please keep up the good work. You offer hope. That is all we have at the moment.

~ Lawrence Beck, Pacifica, California

Backtalk editor Sam Koritz replies:

Donation information can be found here.

Regarding "San Francisco Rabble Brings Discredit on Antiwar Movement" by Justin Raimondo:

With war, the antiwar coalition is coming apart. Many soft antiwar folk have found themselves unwilling to criticize the American, British, and Australian armed forces now they are fighting. The loss of these protesters may be fatal to the antiwar movement as a movement. We have lost the huge numbers of the lightly-committed antiwar crowd. As importantly, in losing them we have lost the reason to tone down our various rhetorics. The hard-liners that remain are disparate groups totally antagonistic to each other; natural enemies except when it came to protesting war. Well, we didn't prevent the war, so now we all feel frustrated, and our natural animosities are on display. Leftist and libertarian, green and consumerist, anarchist and property-owner, red neck and intellectual; we'd all sooner dump on each other than march alongside one another.

It was instructive for me to read (through Antiwar.com postings and other sources) about the slow careful growth of the neocon movement. How patient and dedicated men like Perle and Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld were and are in pursuit of their dream. The coalitions they built and maintained over decades have led to the success of those men today.

As we break into our various groups, snapping and snarling at one another, we should reflect upon what we have accomplished. We have not attained our objective, but I truly believe that the size of the antiwar marches indirectly influenced the war agenda. American and allied forces have launched an initial land assault upon Iraq. Significantly, they did not launch a direct shock-and-awe bombardment to flatten Iraqi cities, which the American and allied forces were quite capable of doing. Antiwar marchers can take pride that we have played some part in saving the lives of tens, maybe hundreds of thousand of Iraqi people by turning the neocons from their first strategy.

There may well be more we can do in the future, together. Don't burn all our bridges just yet.

~ Doug Barrett, Edmonton, Canada

Regarding "Alley of the Damned" by Nebojsa Malic:

Excellent, insightful, sensitive well balanced piece. Where can I read more of this guy?

~ Gary Vujnovich

Sam Koritz replies:

Mr. Malic's recent columns can be found on the right side of this page. And dozens more, going back to 2000 can be found here.

Thought Experiment

I should think that an interesting thought experiment would be to rework the story of the Alamo replacing Travis and the defenders with the President and armed forces of Iraq, and the forces of Mexico with the Coalition of the Willing. I wonder if the American General in charge of the Iraqi engagement would refer to the defenders of the Alamo as 'dead enders' as he refers to Iraqi units which seem to have chosen to fight to the death? I wonder what the American sense of self would be today had Travis and his comrades at the Alamo done what the Coalition of the Willing is asking the Generals and forces of Iraq to do now? What would Travis say if told to give up and not die for a lost cause?

I think we know.

~ Dr. G. Egerton Ryerson, Canadian moron

Regarding "This Isn't About You" by Justin Raimondo:

I enjoyed reading your article and liked your comments about a lot of antiwar protesters alienating others.

I live in LA pretty close to the federal building and I have to say on the first day the protests started it took me hours to get home, I was far more willing to run over a few protesters than to care less about what they had to say. I must say watching a few of them being hit by police batons on the news when I finally did make it home did make me feel better. I can only imagine how commuters in San Francisco must have felt.

I do hope at least a few of them read your article and give it some thought.

~ Shawn P.

Censorship

I just have to say that I have access to several news channels, including BBCAmerica. They are all censored and obviously more pro-war, pro-government right now. I would like to say, however, to anyone in England who thinks that the BBC is bad – they should see the American version of CNN.

I have never seen this much propaganda – and when I was a student, I majored in Pol. Sci. with an emphasis in Soviet/US relations, I saw actual clips of Soviet propaganda aimed at us. I can honestly say that it was no worse than CNN America today.

~ Yana H.

Where Were the Libertarians?

I have marched against the war in London, San Francisco, and LA. Never did I see a libertarian sign. I mention this as I was one of the first antiwar group (all 7 of us) in LA. There was one left winger and the rest were libertarians (all 6 of us). This of course grew to be a huge antiwar movement. So Where were the libertarians this time?

~ Pauline R.

Managing Editor Eric Garris replies:

I know for a fact that there were libertarian contingents in the past few rallies in all these cities (including me, in San Francisco). Given the huge numbers, I can easily see that we might get missed. However, I did see the Antiwar.com sign on CNN in the Feb. 15 San Francisco rally.

Regarding "BUCHANAN'S A REPUBLIC, NOT AN EMPIRE – A MANIFESTO FOR THE NEW ANTIWAR MOVEMENT" by Justin Raimondo:

I just came upon your site and have been reading from the archives and you prophesised in 1999 exactly what is going on now:

"What could be clearer? If Dubya slips into the White House, we are headed for war."

Very impressive. Keep up the great work and I hope you will be continuing your articles!

~ T. Bond

Or Perhaps the French

I was shocked to review your website. You are supported by the Moscow Times. Do you have connections to North Korea, Iraq, Osama or other anti-American elements?

Your family must be ashamed of you. Americans are sacrificing for liberty while you support a brutal leader in Saddam. You must be sad that you were not old enough to support Hitler or other killers and rapists.

You will regret this when you are older and see how silly and naive you were. Not all of our soldiers will have that opportunity.

~ Applewood Cap

Eric Garris replies:

Talk about silly!

What makes you think we are supported by the Moscow Times? We link to newspapers around the world to let people read a broad range of viewpoints.

We are not communists. In fact, I am a Republican. You don't know how old I am. You don't know anything about me. Yet you make statements condemning people you don't know and know nothing about.

A respectful person would ask or at least investigate before making accusations. Did you learn your political tactics from Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden?

There are tyrants all over the world, but I am not willing to sacrifice the American capitalist system or our liberties by trying to liberate the oppressed people of the world. And it is such a shame that so many Americans believe that the best way to combat Saddam is to adopt his domestic political principles at home.

Rachel Corrie

If you are really interested in showing the Israelis for the monsters they have become, then why aren't you following Rachel Corrie and her story more closely? I can't think of anything that better shows Israel for what it is. Another tactic – demonstrate how National Public Radio has shut down the entire story. Another tactic – demonstrate how uselessly Bush has followed up on Rachel's death. Another tactic – follow up on how Israel gassed protesters on the site holding a vigil for her afterwards. If Israel is the monster at the center of this war, then why aren't you giving major press to those people marching into – and dying – in the heart of this monster? Play up Rachel Corrie.

~ Scott Albers

Eric Garris replies:

We have run several stories on her, but we are just inundated with the war stories. I have actually added a few stories in the past week onto the secondary pages, but the war has pushed almost everything else off the front. But please send anything we may be missing.

Sam Koritz replies:

Ethics and logic aside, blaming Israel for US foreign policy ("monster at the center of this war") is counterproductive.

As the Backtalk editor, I read emails all day long from war supporters. Many Americans, probably a majority, support the US overthrow of the Hussein goverment, and, judging by our mail, very few of them are motivated by a desire to protect Israel. Blaming Israel for US foreign policy (rather than making accurate criticism when relevant), then, ignores the factors actually motivating Americans to support this war. This is likely to be seen by many as an unhealthy obsession or bias, thereby discrediting anti-hegemonist arguments. (This is especially true since Israel is the "Jewish state" and Jews are frequently targeted by militant bigots.)

This isn't just hypothetical. To give just one example, at the end of one of the giant anti-invasion protests here in San Francisco, members of the group that organized the demo collected donations, and every one of the ten or so money-collectors I saw wore Palestinian scarves, though none of them appeared to be Arabs. This group seemed to be sending the message that antiwar activists only want support from people who both oppose the invasion of Iraq and support the Palestinians' struggle against Israel. Since only a minority of Americans fall into both of these groups, this was alienating symbolism.

The blaming of Israel for US policy in the Mideast also leads to the advocacy of US intervention on behalf of a Palestinian state (as opposed to the insistence on US military withdrawal from the Mideast, including, of course, cessation of military aid). A US-brokered creation of a Palestinian state will almost certainly lead to US soldiers policing an agreement unacceptable to significant numbers of people in Palestine/Israel. UN "peace-keepers" will be required and Israel will insist on the presence of US soldiers along with the European soldiers requested by the Palestinians.

Protests

A survey of worldwide protests, sorted by country, for the weekend of March 22 – 23 (Sources: Associated Press, Washington Post, National Post, Yahoo Online, Chicago Tribune, BBC Online)

MIDDLE EAST

Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, Jordan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Lebanon, Bahrain and Israel: Arabs hurl stones, chant 'Death to America' in protests. Clerics railed against the US during Friday prayers and effigies of George W. Bush were set on fire in cities across Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, Jordan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Lebanon, Bahrain and in the West Bank. Demonstrators converged on US embassies to protest the invasion.

YEMEN: Police clashed with 30,000 antiwar protesters and three people died after antiriot squads fired in the air and used tear gas and water cannons to keep order. Some of the protesters carried weapons and threw stones as they marched towards the US embassy: "Death to America! Death to Israel," they chanted.

EGYPT: In Cairo, the biggest city in the Arab world with 17 million people, about 10,000 protesters gathered. Some hurled rocks, garbage and furniture at riot police from the roof of the venerable al-Azhar mosque, and police fired water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, the Grand Sheik of the al-Azhar, called for a holy war to support the Iraqi people. The numbers of demonstrators will likely grow as civilian war casualties mount.

JORDAN: More than 60% of Jordan's population is made up of Palestinians, who are vocal opponents of the war. "I know the pain and anger that you are feeling because of the suffering and ordeal that the Iraqi people are facing. I am one of you. I share the feelings of everyone," the King said. Riot police in Amman used clubs to stop 500 Jordanian lawyers from marching to the Iraqi embassy to show solidarity with their Arab neighbour: "Every Arab lawyer knows that the target of these attacks is the Arab nation itself and not Iraq," said Hussein Mjalli, president of the Bar Association.

ISRAEL: In the West Bank town of Nablus, about 5,000 Palestinians carrying Iraqi flags and pictures of President Saddam Hussein marched after curfew, chanting:

"America, the mother of terrorism." Added Mr. Jouejati: "The more the Iraqi army is humiliated, the more intense the protests will become. In the Arab street, the American presence is not viewed as liberation, but of occupation."

****

GREAT BRITAIN: the police said more than 200,000 demonstrators took to the streets in an antiwar protest. Thousands of peace protesters gathered outside a British airbase Where US B-52 bombers are based. Gloucestershire Constabulary said policing the event at RAF Fairford is the largest ever operation conducted by the force.

HOLLAND ·The US embassy warned its citizens on Friday to avoid the antiwar demonstration being held in Amsterdam on Saturday because it may have an "anti-American character" and "possibly escalate into violence". 50,000 people gathered in the Dam in the capital at 1pm.

SPAIN: hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets for the third day to protest against the war and their government's unwavering support for the operation.

About 500,000 people joined a march in Barcelona, according to the city's authorities. An estimated 100,000 were marching in Madrid, despite clashes on Friday night between police and demonstrators outside the American Embassy.

IRELAND: More than 10,000 people protested against the war in towns and cities across Ireland. In Dublin, at least 5,000 people lay down on main streets outside Trinity College to simulate casualties of war.

ITALY: As 10,000 antiwar protesters marched through the Italian city of Naples towards a NATO base in Bagnoli, Pope John Paul II made his first public comment on the conflict.

PARIS: Palestinian and Kurdish supporters joined antiwar activists, students and left-wing parties in street protests numbering some 80,000 people. Shouting "Bush, Blair stop la guerre" and some carrying banners saying "Yankee, go home", several thousand protesters headed towards the Place de la Nation in Paris escorted by police.

FINLAND: An unprecedented demonstration of 20,000 was held in Finland, including families with baby strollers.

VATICAN CITY, the pope: "When war, like the one now in Iraq, threatens the fate of humanity, it is even more urgent for us to proclaim, with a firm and decisive voice, that only peace is the way of building a more just and caring society," he said.

SWITZERLAND: An estimated 20,000 people attended a rally in front of the Swiss parliament, the French news agency AFP reported. Police used water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas against a group of hooded demonstrators, said to be from a radical faction.

GREECE: In Athens, Greece, demonstrators outside the US embassy threw two Molotov cocktails onto the embassy lawn.

GERMANY: Some 100,000 took to the streets, including some 40,000 in Berlin Where demonstrators marched near the US embassy and shouted demands to end the conflict.

AUSTRIA: In Vienna, demonstrators threw themselves to the ground to the sound of specially prerecorded gunshots, and staged a "die-in" in protest at the conflict.

BRUSSELS: In Brussels riot police tried to prevent protesters who hurled rocks and sticks at the US embassy from getting too close to the building, later using water cannon on a small number who split from the main protest.

ELSEWHERE: Tens of thousands of people joined protests in Italian cities, as well as Vienna, Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm, Dublin, and even Ljubljana, Slovenia, in eastern Europe.

***

INDIA: India saw about 15,000 people march in Calcutta, Where speakers attacked the US for its "anti-Islamic" war, Reuters news agency reported. And nearly 5,000 men and women marched to the American Embassy in New Delhi.

PAKISTAN: In Pakistan on Sunday, demonstrators carried portraits of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein in a rally organized by Pakistan's Islamic right.

"Kill America! Kill America!" shouted about 30,000 people, mostly students from Islamic schools and colleges. Police were on high alert.

PHILIPPINES: In the central capital part of the Philippines, around 10,000 of various sectors (farmers, workers, students, church peoples, urban poor communities and children) staged a demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy in Manila on March 22.

BANGLADESH: A general strike closed down many businesses and mosques, while in the southern mainly Muslim provinces of Thailand people organized prayers for peace.

JAPAN: More than 50,000 citizens joined a anti war rally at Shiba park in Tokyo at 1 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 21. On Saturday, an estimated 15,000 more marched through the metropolitan centre of Shibuya, closing traffic for two hours. And thousands of protesters rallied near a US naval base as well as outside a US air base on the southern island of Okinawa.

KOREA: In South Korea, some 3,000 gathered in Seoul to protest against the war and their government's decision to send up to 700 non-combat troops to assist it.

AUSTRALIA: Up to 50,000 rallied in Australia, Washington's key Asia-Pacific ally in its attack against Iraq. The Australian cities of Brisbane and Hobart were brought to a halt.

NEW ZEALAND: More than 5000 people took to the streets of Auckland today to voice their opposition to the war in Iraq. In Wellington, about 2000 protesters gathered in the central city's Civic Square before marching to Parliament and on to the United States embassy, by which time their numbers had doubled to 4000, police said.

Total confirmed estimates: 1,317,500

***

NORTH AMERICA

CANADA:

MONTREAL: The biggest demonstration took place in Montreal where crowd estimates were pegged at more than 200,000, similar in size to the one staged last weekend prior to the start of the US campaign to oust dictator Saddam Hussein and amongst the largest worldwide Saturday.

TORONTO: "The Vietnam War was ended by demonstrations like this," said Walter Pitman, who spoke at the rally in Toronto, where more than 5,000 people marched for peace.

VANCOUVER: After the thousands-strong march, protesters packed the lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery for a rally and spilled onto a nearby street, where they were greeted by the raucous sound of DOA, the legendary local punk band.

CALGARY: Antiwar protesters were confronted by a handful of pro-American demonstrators at a rally that attracted about 3,000 people.

OTTAWA: What started out peacefully on Parliament Hill in Ottawa turned ugly once the estimated 5,000 protesters reached the US embassy.

EDMONTON: In Edmonton, about 7,000 poured into Churchill Square before marching to the legislature where the crowd had swelled to an estimated 15,000.

HALIFAX: An antiwar crowd of about 2,000 people in Halifax was boisterous and swelled in numbers as it reached the waterfront office building housing the US Consulate. Eleven protesters were arrested during a similar demonstration at a Halifax intersection on Thursday.

(Protesters in Montreal chanted, "No to war, yes to peace" and "Bush, terrorist" as several participants set the Stars and Stripes ablaze. Old Glory met a similar fate in Halifax, Ottawa and Toronto.)

Total confirmed estimated in Canada: 222000

USA:

NY: Antiwar protesters stretched for 30 blocks down Broadway and crowd estimates ranged from 120,000 to more than 200,000.

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco, streets downtown were closed for a third day as tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in front of city hall before marching through the city in a thick stream running for as many as 10 city blocks.

PHILADELPHIA: peace activists shut down traffic on Broad Street and protested outside the Federal Building. More than 1000 high school students walked out of school in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

BOSTON: 3,000 shut down Back Bay, and took over Boylston street without a permit by 4 p.m. Students struck with walkouts at noon from Boston area colleges and high schools and converged at MIT. The Mass Av. Harvard Bridge was completely closed off, when marchers disobeyed police and sat in the road, said Scott Cooper of Newton.

HAWAII: With numbers varying from 500 to more than 1,000, O'ahu peace marchers chanted slogans and encouraged motorists to honk their support yesterday as they trekked from Ala Moana Park through Waikiki.

LOS ANGELES: An estimated 2,500 antiwar demonstrators made their way down Sunset Boulevard – a group that included actor Tim Robbins, actress Susan Sarandon and Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.

WASHINGTON: Several hundred protesters chanting "No blood for oil!" strode through the streets and rallied in front of the White House. Their pink and orange signs read "No war against Iraq" and "Money for unemployment, not war."

DES MOINES, Iowa: Hundreds of people toting pictures of loved ones serving overseas waved American flags outside the Capitol.

COLUMBUS, OHIO: Thursday night 400+ people protested against the war at the federal Building in Columbus, Ohio.

OTHER: There were emergency antiwar demonstrations in cities in every state from Lexington, KY and Knoxville, TN to Boston, from Cleveland to Austin to Chapel Hill, NC. Similar rallies took place in Clarksville, Tenn.; Sacramento, Calif; Bear, Del.; Raleigh, N.C., and other cities.

Total confirmed estimates in the US: 170,000+

***

Total worldwide: More than 1,700,000 for the weekend of March 22-23, 2003.

~ Eric Smith