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September 24, 2005, anti-war protest

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September 24, 2005 anti-war protest
Part of protests against the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the Iraq War took place
DateSeptember 24, 2005

On September 24, 2005, many protests against the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the Iraq War took place.

United States

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Washington, D.C.

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An anti-war protester shows a peace sign to the White House

Protesters from around the country joined the march in Washington, D.C. organized by ANSWER Coalition and United for Peace and Justice to promote peace and an end to the war in Iraq. Organizers claim that around 300,000 people attended the demonstration. Police said that 150,000 was "as good a guess as any".[1][2] The demonstration route was chosen to be close to the White House, though President George W. Bush was away at the time.

Representative Cynthia McKinney, George Galloway, Carlos Arredondo, Cindy Sheehan, Jesse Jackson, and former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark attended the rally.[citation needed]

The September 24 March also included over 300 members of Military Families Speak Out, which represents about 2,500 military families.[3]

World Bank/IMF feeder march

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In addition to the main rally and march sponsored by ANSWER and United for Peace and Justice, the Mobilization for Global Justice sponsored a feeder march to protest the policies of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), held to coincide with the fall meetings of the World Bank and IMF, which were happening on the same weekend.

The feeder march met at Dupont Circle. In addition to more mainstream demonstrators, a large black bloc had gathered. This march from Dupont Circle did not have a march permit from the D.C. government, and as such, details of the actual march route were not disclosed until the last minute. Along with the crowd that had initially gathered, a second feeder march protesting the School of the Americas joined the World Bank/IMF group at Dupont Circle.

The Mobilization for Global Justice's feeder march ran from Dupont Circle down Connecticut Avenue and past Farragut Square, reaching Murrow Park and the World Bank. After marching west along H Street as far as 19th Street NW, encountering police barricades on three sides, the march did an about-face and marched east along H Street to Lafayette Square, joining the main march sponsored by ANSWER and UFPJ.

Black bloc breakaway march

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Participants in the Black Bloc breakaway march near the World Bank

Following the Mobilization for Global Justice's feeder march to the World Bank and then the White House, the Black Bloc began a separate, quite circuitous march through the streets of Washington, headed for the nearest recruitment center. Reaching the recruitment center, police began backfiring their motorcycle engines. A number of demonstrators unfamiliar with the tactic assumed that rubber bullets were being fired, and much of the Black Bloc scattered, seeking cover. With the main bloc reduced to around sixty people, the Black Bloc retreated, with many scattering newspaper boxes and trash receptacles in an attempt to slow police. The retreat ended when police charged through the group at 11th and K Streets NW.[4]

Other U.S. cities

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Anti-war protesters, including Libertarian Alabama gubernatorial candidate Loretta Nall, marching in Birmingham, Alabama

Several thousand attended a rally in Dolores Park in San Francisco and rallies were also held in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Birmingham, Alabama.[2][5]

United Kingdom

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Thousands joined a march from Parliament Square to Hyde Park. Police estimate that 10,000 took part but organizers put the figure at 100,000. The demonstration was organised by the Stop the War Coalition, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB). The protest was organized to coincide with the protest in Washington, and to occur just before the beginning of that year's Labour Party Conference.[6][7]

Worldwide

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Demonstrations were held in Florence, Rome, Paris and Madrid.

Global Protests Against the Iraq War

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A collection of photographs showcases the worldwide demonstrations against the Iraq War, highlighting the global scale of opposition during that period. [8]

The Legacy of Anti-Iraq War Protests

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An analysis discusses how the global protests against the Iraq War demonstrated the isolation of the Bush administration's policies and later influenced decisions to prevent conflicts in Iran in 2007 and Syria in 2013. These perspectives underscore the enduring significance of the anti-war protests and their influence on subsequent political and military decisions.[9]

Influence on Subsequent Protests

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The momentum from the September 24 protest carried forward into other significant demonstrations. Notably, in March 2006, coordinated protests marked the third anniversary of the Iraq invasion, with major events in cities like Baghdad, London, New York, and Washington, D.C. These protests underscored the sustained public opposition to the war and the growing organizational capabilities of the anti-war movement.[10]

Media Representation and Public Perception

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Media portrayal played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the anti-war protests. Some analyses suggest that mainstream media often framed these demonstrations within narratives of 'disorder' and 'spectacle,' potentially undermining the legitimacy of the protesters' messages. This framing highlights the challenges faced by the anti-war movement in conveying their stance to a broader audience.[11]

Strategic Evolution of the Anti-War Movement

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In the aftermath of the September 24 protest, organizations like United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) reflected on their strategies to enhance the effectiveness of their campaigns. Emphasizing the importance of building broad-based coalitions and forging alliances with military veterans and families, the movement sought to diversify its support base. Notably, a 2005 survey indicated that approximately 23% of Americans identified with the anti-war movement, translating to around 56 million individuals over the age of 16.[12]

Academic Perspectives on Protest Dynamics

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Scholars have examined the internal dynamics of the anti-war protests, exploring themes such as desire and violence. For instance, Andrew Culp's work suggests 'queering' direct action to overcome the limitations of traditional rhetorical politics, offering a nuanced understanding of the motivations and strategies within the movement.[13] The September 24, 2005, anti-war protest in Washington, D.C., stands as one of the most significant demonstrations against the Iraq War, with estimates suggesting that over 100,000 activists participated. This event not only showcased widespread public dissent but also highlighted the challenges and dynamics within the anti-war movement.[14]

Coalition Dynamics and Organizational Challenges

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The protest was co-organized by prominent groups such as the ANSWER Coalition and United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ). Despite their shared goals, these organizations faced internal disagreements that sometimes hindered unified action. Research indicates that while both groups aimed to "Stop the War on Iraq" and "Bring the Troops Home Now," differing strategies and priorities occasionally led to coalition dissolution, affecting the movement's overall cohesion and effectiveness.[15]

Impact on Government Policies

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Political Repercussions: The widespread protests against the Iraq War had notable political consequences. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Labour Party faced significant internal dissent, leading to resignations within the government.[16]

Sociological Perspectives

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Demographic Diversity: The anti-war demonstrations were characterized by a diverse demographic, including individuals from various age groups, professions, and political affiliations, all united in opposition to the war.[17]

Media Coverage and Public Perception

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Global Media Attention

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The protests received extensive global media coverage, influencing public opinion and sparking debates about the legitimacy of the war.[18]

Long-Term Effects on Activism

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The Iraq War protests served as a catalyst for future global movements, demonstrating the power of collective action in influencing political discourse.[19]

Global Scale of Protests

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February 15, 2003, Demonstrations

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On February 15, 2003, millions of people worldwide participated in protests against the impending invasion of Iraq. These demonstrations are considered among the largest in history, reflecting widespread global opposition to the war.[20]

Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy

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Reevaluation of Intervention Strategies

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The widespread protests against the Iraq War prompted a critical reassessment of U.S. foreign policy, particularly concerning military interventions. Policymakers became more cautious about engaging in unilateral actions without broad international support.[21]

Cultural Representations in Art and Media

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The Iraq War and the accompanying protests inspired a significant body of protest art, reflecting public dissent and influencing societal perceptions of the conflict. Artists utilized various mediums to critique the war and its implications.[22]

Media Coverage and Public Perception

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Media portrayals of the Iraq War varied across different cultural contexts, influencing public opinion and the intensity of protests. Comparative studies have highlighted these differences in coverage and their impact on public sentiment.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Antiwar Fervor Fills the Streets, Petula Dvorak, The Washington Post, September 25, 2005
  2. ^ a b Spivack, Miranda S.; Petula Dvorak (September 24, 2005). "Antiwar Protests Commence in Washington". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  3. ^ Military families add weight to criticism of Iraq war, Miriam Raftery, The Raw Story, October 5, 2005
  4. ^ Breakaway March Photos, "Michael", DC Indymedia, September 25, 2005 Archived June 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Demonstrators protest Iraq war, Steve Thomma, Knight Ridder, September 24, 2005 Archived December 5, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ London march against Iraq occupation, for civil liberties numbers 100,000, Matthew Cookson, Socialist Worker Online, September 24, 2005
  7. ^ Thousands stage anti-war protest, BBC News Online, September 24, 2005
  8. ^ Global protests against Iraq war – in pictures Retrieved 3 March 2025
  9. ^ 20 Years Ago Today: We Didn't Stop the Invasion of Iraq, But We Did Change History Retrieved 3 March 2025
  10. ^ Thousands join anti-war protest Retrieved 3 March 2025
  11. ^ Dialectics of argument and rhetoric Retrieved 3 March 2025
  12. ^ Moving Forward: UFPJ and the Anti-war Movement Retrieved 3 March 2025
  13. ^ Dispute or Disrupt? Desire and Violence in Protests Against the Iraq War Retrieved 3 March 2025
  14. ^ Protesters inherit traditions of 1960s Retrieved 3 March 2025
  15. ^ Coalition Dynamics and Organizational Challenges Retrieved 3 March 2025
  16. ^ Millions of us marched over Iraq – and were ignored. Now we have broken politics and endless war Retrieved 3 March 2025
  17. ^ The Impact of the Anti-War Movement 20 Years After the US Invaded Iraq Retrieved 3 March 2025
  18. ^ Media Coverage and Public Perception Retrieved 3 March 2025
  19. ^ A Look Back at How Fear and False Beliefs Bolstered U.S. Public Support for War in Iraq Retrieved 3 March 2025
  20. ^ Millions protest the impending invasion of Iraq Retrieved 3 March 2025
  21. ^ After Iraq: How the U.S. Failed to Fully Learn the Lessons of a Disastrous Intervention Retrieved 3 March 2025
  22. ^ Everyone Lost: Protest Art and the Iraq War Retrieved 3 March 2025
  23. ^ Cultural influences on the news: Portrayals of the Iraq war by Swedish and American media Retrieved 3 March 2025
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Photography in Washington

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Photography in other cities

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