MASS PROTESTS AGAINST THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ PLANNED FOR SATURDAY, OCT. 25

MASS PROTESTS AGAINST THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ PLANNED FOR SATURDAY, OCT. 25

RALLIES IN SAN FRANCISCO, WASHINGTON, DC EXPECTED TO DRAW THOUSANDS

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 AM meet at Civic Center,
Noon March to Jefferson Square Park for 1 PM rally

WHERE: Protest begins at Civic Center, San Francisco Noon march to Jefferson Square Park (Turk and Laguna Streets)

WHAT: California's major anti-war coalitions have joined together to organize what is expected to be the largest protest against the occupation of Iraq since the U.S. attacked Iraq in March 2003. More than 2,000 organizations and individuals have endorsed the march and rally, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 in San Francisco. Protesters will gather at 11 AM at Civic Center and march at Noon to Jefferson Square Park (Turk and Laguna Streets) for a 1 PM rally. Speakers will include former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney; Ron Kovic, Vietnam War veteran and author of Born on the Fourth of July; and Fernando Suarez Del Solar, father of a Marine who was killed in Iraq.

The protest will reflect the growing opposition to the Bush Administration's disastrous occupation of Iraq, which has already cost the lives of more than 7,200 innocent Iraqis (http://www.iraqbodycount.net) and 325 U.S. soldiers. Meanwhile, no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, and the occupation is costing U.S. taxpayers close to $4 billion per month.

The sponsors of the Oct. 25 march and rally include International ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), Bay Area United Against War, Not In Our Name, United for Peace and Justice, and the Vanguard Alliance. These are the groups that sponsored the massive Feb. 16 San Francisco anti-war protest. Organizers expect a large turnout, as buses are already scheduled to bring participants from Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno, Seattle, Reno, and elsewhere.

The theme of the march and rally is "End the Occupation, Bring the Troops Home Now."