KATU:Thousands march in Portland to protest Iraq war
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Thousands march in Portland to protest Iraq war
A man walks during an anti-war march in Portland on March 15, 2008.
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By
Associated Press
PORTLAND,
Ore. (AP) - Thousands of marchers carrying signs and beating drums
paraded through the center of downtown in late winter rain on Saturday
to protest the fifth year of the Iraq war.
Among the marchers was Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, a leading
Democratic challenger to Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, who is
seeking a third term.
Merkley, surrounded by supporters, joined the chorus of
demonstrators when they shouted it was time to get U.S. troops out of
Iraq.
His main primary opponent, Portland lawyer and party activist Steve
Novick, a longtime opponent of American involvement in Iraq, also
marched.
"It's important to replace Sen. Smith because he has not taken a
stand on bringing troops home," Merkley said. "We need to start
bringing them home, starting now."
Smith initially supported the war but now opposes it, and has become
one of the few Republican senators backing legislation to order troop
withdrawals.
The World Without War march stretched through about a half dozen
blocks at a time, closely watched by police. Some traffic delays were
expected, but weekend traffic was light.
An estimate of the number who attended was not immediately available.
A similar march and peace rally last year attracted about 15,000.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
