11 April 2004	Sunday	20 Safar 1425

WASHINGTON, April 10: Organizers of an anti-war protest in Washington said on Saturday that the occupation of Iraq was bringing back the images of another war, in Vietnam, 30 years ago.

"One year after the fall of Baghdad and eleven months after President Bush proclaimed 'mission accomplished", the war and subsequent occupation are summoning the images of the US intervention in Vietnam thirty years ago," said a message distributed by the anti-war coalition, ANSWER, an acronym for Act Now to Stop War and Racism.

The group said it was obvious from the events of the past few days that a growing number of Iraqis did not feel they had been liberated. They want the United States to leave immediately and this sentiment is echoed by a growing number of US soldiers and their families as well, the message aid.

According to the organizers, rallies and marches started on Saturday in more than 50 US cities and will continue till Sunday evening.

They said Saturday's rallies were part of a nationwide protest planned throughout the weekend against the Bush administration's war policies in major US cities.

The protest, which continues throughout the Easter weekend, was called on an emergency basis responding to the events of the last few days in Iraq, and especially the siege of Fallujah, organizers said.

They said they were expecting a large turnout during the weekend protests like it happened on March 20 when thousands participated in similar protests across the United States. This time the attack on US forces in Iraq has increased the worries of their families back home and of Americans in general, the organizers said.

"People are coming from all over the area with signs and banners expressing their opposition to the brutal US occupation, which is killing thousands of Iraqis and hundreds of Americans," said Preston Wood, a coordinator for the anti-war ANSWER Coalition.

"We want to let the Bush administration know that we're tired of his insane war plans," he added.

In Washington, protesters met outside the White House in Lafayette Park and are planning to march across the Capitals commercial and residential districts before dispersing.

Leaders of the anti-war movement, veterans, military families, students, civil rights advocates and religious leaders will address the protesters during the march. But the man they want to hear their protest, President Bush, is at his home in Crawford, Texas.

Protesters most popular chants are: US out of Iraq, Bring the Troops Home Now and Money for Jobs, Education, Housing and Healthcare - Not for Wars of Aggression.

Protests are being held during this Easter weekend, which began on Friday, throughout the East Coast, West Coast, Midwest and South, including in major cities like Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Washington.

Organizers described the protests as "nationally-coordinated emergency demonstrations," reflecting anti-war sentiments of the American people.

"The revolt sweeping Iraq in opposition to foreign occupation has resulted in the White House and Pentagon ordering a reign of terror against all those who defy US dictates. Hundreds of Iraqis have been killed. A large number of US troops have also died. And there is no let up in sight," said another message distributed by the organizers.