Ten years ago on March 19, the U.S. bombing, invasion, and long-term occupation of Iraq began by order of George W Bush with the consent of the over 70% of Americans. Ten years ago on March 20 — after months of permitted marches on both sides of the San Francisco Bay intent on preventing the war — those opposed to U.S. military action rose up to protest en masse by shutting down downtown San Francisco in perhaps one of the largest collective acts of civil disobedience ever seen in the area. On the first day alone, over 50,000 demonstrators filled the streets of San Francisco and nearly 1,500 people were arrested by SFPD.

"We Interrupt This Empire..." documented the rebellion.

"Direct Action to Stop the War" was the protests' organizing spokescouncil.

Related Indybay Features: Activists Shut Down San Francisco As Baghdad Burns (Fri Mar 21 2003) | M22 - Emergency Protests Continue in Bay Area (Sun Mar 23 2003) | Protests At CNN, Carlyle and SF Chronicle (Sun Mar 30 2003) | This pro-war rally brought to you by Glenn Beck and Clear Channel (Wed Mar 26 2003) | Demonstrators Denounce Fox News' doing Public Relations for the Pentagon (Fri Apr 4 2003) | 10,000 March In Oakland To Protest War In Iraq (Sat Apr 5 2003) | All Indybay Anti-War features posted between 1/1/2003 and 5/1/2004