Hundreds of anti-war protesters from across the United States have held rallies in Washington to mark the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq.
Holding signs saying “We need jobs and schools, not war” and “Stop the war!”, the protestors marched to the Pentagon and then went to the offices of nearby defense contractors.
They were carrying cardboard coffins and demanded the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
“Obama seems to be led somewhat by the bureaucrats. I want him to follow up on his promise to end the war,” said one of the protestors. “But the longer it goes, the more it seems like he's stalling.”
The American president said that he plans to withdraw about 100,000 troops by the summer of 2010. According to him, the last of the U.S. troops will be pulled by the end of 2011, which is in accord with a deal the Iraqis signed with the former President Bush.
As the protestors crossed the Memorial Bridge, they were met by a small group of counter protestors.
War supporters held a large banner that said, "Go to hell traitors, you dishonor our dead on hallowed ground.''