Anti-War Protests in London and Rome

In London, between 150,000 (the official estimate) and 400,000 (the organizer’s estimate) people marched through London to protest military action in Iraq. The march was organized by the Stop the War Coalition and the Muslim Association of Britain, and included London Mayor Ken Livingstone, a number of Anglican Bishops, and former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter. It was also meant to protest Israel’s policy against Palestinians in the West Bank. There were three arrests.

In Rome, 100,000 people attended a demonstration organized by the Communist Refoundation party.

AP emphasized the broad demographics of the marchers.

“These people are saying clearly two things — no to war against Iraq, yes to a Palestinian state,” said Michel Massih, chairman of a group called Palestinian Community.

CNN Europe had the 150,000 estimate from the police, and said that the organizers claimed “double that.”