Mar 18, 2009 9:03 pm US/Pacific
Protests Set In SF For 6th Iraq War Anniversary
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
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Protests block Market Street in San Francisco during the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War.
CBS
Bay Area activists have set up poetry readings, film screenings, rallies and other peaceful demonstrations starting Thursday to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Iraq War.
At 9 a.m., activist group Eyes Wide Open in San Francisco will set up about 50 pairs of boots at the Glen Park Bay Area Rapid Transit station to represent Bay Area veterans who have died in the war, an event organizer said.
At noon, poets will read at the Montgomery BART station, at 5 p.m., Iraq Veterans Against War will demonstrate their concerns at the Civic Center and at 5:30 p.m., the Raging Grannies will lead a sing-along in Palo Alto at Lytton Plaza.
More than 100 people were arrested in San Francisco's war protest during the fifth anniversary, mostly for obstructing street traffic, but this year might be a little calmer with the new presidential administration, police have said.
But Michael Reagan, a spokesman for activist group Direct Action to Stop the War, said as long as the troops are still in Iraq, people will keep protesting.
Reagan said several groups are setting up the demonstrations that are more focused on other issues, but they link them to the war.
He said Bay Alternative Youth Group plans to protest the war because "our schools are disfunded while we are spending billions of dollars on this war."
The biggest demonstration is expected to be on Saturday and is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco. It is organized by the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism coalition.
San Francisco police Sgt. Wilfred Williams said he couldn't say how many officers will be on patrol, but they will be present.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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