War protests planned for tomorrow across US
WASHINGTON -- Emboldened by the Democratic takeover of Congress and shrinking public support for the Iraq war, antiwar groups are planning what they hope will be a massive protest tomorrow on the National Mall.
Similar events are planned in dozens of cities around the United States, with some of the largest expected in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Organizers said they aim to put pressure on both the White House and Congress to end the war.
"The message will be, 'Mr. President, bring our troops home,' " said Representative Lynn Woolsey, a California Democrat among the several politicians, activists, and actors scheduled to speak in Washington.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, director of PUSH/Rainbow Coalition, one of the rally sponsors, is also scheduled to appear on the Mall, organizers said, as are Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, an Ohio Democrat and a long shot candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, and actors Jane Fonda, Danny Glover, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins.
"We're predicting this will be one of the largest demonstrations since the war began," said Leslie Cagan, national coordinator for United for Peace and Justice, the umbrella group organizing the Washington protest.
About 300 busloads of protesters are traveling from more than 30 states to attend the rally, said United for Peace and Justice spokesman Hany Khalil.
Tomorrow's rally and march in Washington will be followed by a coordinated lobbying effort Monday to pressure lawmakers into supporting Senate and House resolutions against the deployment of additional troops to Iraq. 