SAN FRANCISCO, April 21: More than 10,000 people staged a rally here on Saturday to denounce the Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The rally was sponsored by ‘Act Now to Stop War’ and ‘End Racism’ organizations, and was supported by a number of religious, social and peace groups.

Local TV networks described the rally as one of the biggest in several years. California has one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States.

People from various religious and ethnic communities participated in the rally at the downtown Dolores Park. Many people came from distant towns to join the rally and expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians.

Speakers at the rally denounced Israeli Prime minister Ariel Sharon, and termed him a ‘terrorist’. They reminded that Sharon is the butcher of Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in 1982.