Approximately 15,000 people—far exceeding organizer’s expectations—took to the streets of San Francisco early today to reiterate our demand for an immediate withdrawal of troops from the ongoing occupation war in Iraq.

A number of speakers talked about the need to support Lt. Ehren Watada, the first officer to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq, during his upcoming Feb. 5 court martial at Fort Lewis, Washington. One of those speakers was Lt. Watada’s mother Carolyn Ho.

The crowd was also urged to remember Army Spc. Agustin Aguayo who is facing a March court martial, a seven years in prison, for refusing to return to Iraq. Spc. Aguayo filled for a conscientious objector discharge during his previous deployment to Iraq in February 2004. He served a full year there, all the while refusing to load his weapon. The military denied his discharge anyway.

For information about Lt. Watada actions, to donate to Spc. Aguayo's defense fund, and to learn more about many more military resisters and how to support them, check out CourageToResist.org.