'Drive out the Bush regime'
2006-10-06 11:26
Washington - Hundreds of people called the Bush administration's policies a crime and held up yellow police tape in front of the White House amid a nationwide day of protest against the president.
The 500 demonstrators were among many who gathered for similar events on Thursday in more than 200 cities to protest President George W Bush on issues ranging from global warming to the war in Iraq.
"We are turning the corner in bringing forward a mass movement of resistance to drive out the Bush regime," said organiser Travis Morales with the activist group World Can't Wait.
Some dressed in costume, including a hooded prisoner in an orange jumpsuit, a devilish rendition of Bush and two grim reapers. One man wore a red cheerleader outfit with "Radical" emblazoned on the jersey.
'This war should be over'
The demonstrators held up yellow police tape along a three-block stretch in front of the White House.
Thousands of protesters clogged New York City's streets as they marched from the United Nations headquarters. Some people lay down in the middle of the street, while others carried signs saying "Expose 9/11" and "This war should be over." They also handed out fliers reading, "Drive out the Bush regime".
Lydia Sugarman, 82, of Manhattan, said she believed in the power of demonstrating.
"That's how we got our civil rights," she said. "If we didn't protest we wouldn't be Americans."
Iraq policy defended
White House spokesperson Nicole Guillemard defended the administration's Iraq policy.
"Our constitution guarantees the right to peacefully express one's views. The men and women in our military are fighting to bring the people of Iraq these same rights and freedoms," she said. "The president believes it is important to stay on the offence in Iraq."
Other marches
Other major marches took place in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Asheville, Chicago and Reno.
World Can't Wait was founded in 2005 and has organised several marches since then, including a nationwide protest coinciding with Bush's State of the Union address in January, according to the group's website.
Supporters listed on the site include Edward Asner, Ed Begley Jr. and Jane Fonda and activists such as the Rev Jesse Jackson, the Rev Al Sharpton and "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan.
- AP