By HOLLYWOOD – Thousands of anti-war protesters marched in Hollywood on Saturday, a day that marked the 4th anniversary of the Iraq occupation. According to the LAPD, more than 5,000 people attended to express their discontent with the Iraq war conflict and the Bush administration’s policy.
War veterans, students, actors, mothers of soldiers, senior activists and dozens of organizations marched for 1.2 miles while chanting in English, Korean and Spanish.
“We want to inform people,” said Edgar Cejas, 24, a student and volunteer for the organizers AnswerLA.org.
“I think this demonstration would have an impact. We want to show that we don’t want this war,” said Cal State Long Beach English major Alicia Adams, 19.
A handful of counter-protesters were also present also to support President George W. Bush.
“I am a moderate Republican, and it’s not like I want a war, but we can’t leave now,” said Hollywood resident Larry Green, 45.
Several groups, from Free Palestine to the Bus Riders union, joined to mark the 4th anniversary of the occupation.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters joined actors Martin Sheen and Laura Dern as guest speakers. A performance by the Grammy-winning band Ozomatli closed the 4-hour march.
Aztec dancers and Chinese monks also performed during the demonstration, as well as impersonators of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wearing jail clothes, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
