NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators toting colorful banners and shouting "no more Bush" took to the streets of New York on Sunday, the day before the Republican convention was to open, to decry the U.S.-led war in Iraq and President Bush's policies.
"I am just burning with anger about what our country is doing," said protester Cornelius Boss, an ex-Marine from Columbus, Ohio, about Bush's foreign policy.
Hundreds of people lay on the grass in the park and formed a massive human peace sign.
In the march, people of all ages and demonstrating on a wide array of issues from the war, to health care, the environment and the economy, chanted, "Hey Ho, Hey Ho, Bush Has Got to Go."
Some people say that it is not patriotic to protest but we're taking back the flag because free speech and speaking out for what you believe in is patriotic," said Shana Berger, one of 14 people carrying a large U.S. flag in the march. "We do support the troops but we want them to come home now."
Thousands of police -- many clad in riot gear, some on bicycles, others on horseback or on foot -- monitored the large crowd. Protesters carried signs reading "Osama Loves Bush," "Bush Lies Who Dies?" and "Hate is not a Family Value."
UFPJ march organizer Leslie Cagan told Reuters that the event had gone "very, very well" and "people have come to protest the Bush administration on very many issues, but today we were united in speaking out against the Bush agenda."
Many held banners opposing the war in Iraq. The Bush administration said it invaded Iraq to rid Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction that threatened America's security, but no stockpiles of weapons have been found.
"He (Bush) is ruining the country that I knew as a child growing up," said Joan Azulay, a retiree from Austin, Texas.
One group carried 1,000 coffins as a tribute to American soldiers dead in Iraq and to highlight what they see as the true cost of the war there.
Hundreds of Thousands March Against Bush in NY
Bush popular guy in the states i see!
"I am just burning with anger about what our country is doing," said protester Cornelius Boss, an ex-Marine from Columbus, Ohio, about Bush's foreign policy.
Hundreds of people lay on the grass in the park and formed a massive human peace sign.
In the march, people of all ages and demonstrating on a wide array of issues from the war, to health care, the environment and the economy, chanted, "Hey Ho, Hey Ho, Bush Has Got to Go."
Some people say that it is not patriotic to protest but we're taking back the flag because free speech and speaking out for what you believe in is patriotic," said Shana Berger, one of 14 people carrying a large U.S. flag in the march. "We do support the troops but we want them to come home now."
Thousands of police -- many clad in riot gear, some on bicycles, others on horseback or on foot -- monitored the large crowd. Protesters carried signs reading "Osama Loves Bush," "Bush Lies Who Dies?" and "Hate is not a Family Value."
UFPJ march organizer Leslie Cagan told Reuters that the event had gone "very, very well" and "people have come to protest the Bush administration on very many issues, but today we were united in speaking out against the Bush agenda."
Many held banners opposing the war in Iraq. The Bush administration said it invaded Iraq to rid Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction that threatened America's security, but no stockpiles of weapons have been found.
"He (Bush) is ruining the country that I knew as a child growing up," said Joan Azulay, a retiree from Austin, Texas.
One group carried 1,000 coffins as a tribute to American soldiers dead in Iraq and to highlight what they see as the true cost of the war there.
Hundreds of Thousands March Against Bush in NY
Bush popular guy in the states i see!
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