Sunni, Shia marchers demand end to occupation (Its not just Sadr)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/10/stories/2005041001241200.htm

MANAMA, APRIL 9. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have poured into the streets of Baghdad demanding the end of the American occupation, exactly two years after U.S. troops had seized control of the Iraqi capital.

Most of the demonstrators in Baghdad were Shias loyal to the young cleric Moqtada Al Sadr. But coordinated protests seeking an end to the American presence also took place in the Sunni strongholds of Ramadi and Baiji.

Mr. Al Sadr had given the call for the demonstrations, which was supported by the Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS), a powerful Sunni religious body that is known to have influence over the resistance groups.

"Many of our brothers, including Sunnis, have welcomed the call and will take part," Sheikh Abdul-Hadi al-Daraji, a spokesman for Mr. Al Sadr was quoted as saying. Followers of Shia cleric from the southern cities of Basra, Amara and Nassiriya travelled over long distances to join the protest.

Mr. Al Sadr's group and Sunnis under the AMS banner had on February 15, formed the "Anti-Occupation Patriotic Forces", an umbrella organisation that is seeking a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and restoration of full Iraqi sovereignty, as part of its seven-point agenda.

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[allemand]

1. Juan Cole: The "largest popular demonstrations in Iraq since 1958!"

Edmund Sanders reports that the crowds in downtown Baghdad protesting the US troop presence in the country may have been as large as 300,000. If it were even half that, these would be the largest popular demonstrations in Iraq since 1958! To any extent that they show popular sentiment shifting in Shiite areas to Muqtada al-Sadr's position on the American presence, they would indicate that he is winning politically even though the US defeated his militia militarily.

Big demonstrations were also held in Ramadi and in Najaf. (...)

Al-Hayat reports that Muqtada urged his followers not to bear arms and were not to reply with gunfire if they were shot at by the Americans, saying that God would be responsible for defeating the Occupiers." The demonstrators demanded a swift trial of Saddam Hussein, a timetable for US withdrawal, the release of Iraqis detained by the US, and an end to the marginalization of the opposition. The demonstrators carried effigies of Saddam Hussein, President Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, each labeled "International Terrorist." Ash-Sharq al-Awsat says that the crowds also demanded an end to torture in Iraqi prisons.

Off to the side a small crowd of Iraqi Christians joined in the demonstration, with placards saying, "We support the call of Sayyid Muqtada for national unity."

More:
http://www.juancole.com/2005/04/up-to-300000-demonstrate-in-baghdad.html

Edmund Sanders: Livid Iraq Protesters Tell U.S. to Get Out
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq10apr10,0,1677779.story?coll=la-home-world

[KharmaTrain]

2. No Real National Coverage...But It Was On The Local News

After all day of nothing but Chuckles and Rotweiller and lingering Pope residue I didn't see anything on my scans of CNNServative and MSGOP of these protests (I had read about them here and heard about it on AP Radio News). Not a mention or live shot...considering this was happening right under their hotel windows, no???

What surprised me was watching the local news in Chicago and the ABC station showed the demonstration and mentioned that at least 1,000,000 people had taken to the streets.

This morning, I'm scanning the channels and I see the talking heads have an Iraqi mouthpiece on, and I suspect how great things are going in that country...spin spin spin. Meanwhile, I run into freepers who tell me all we get is the BAD news from Iraq. Sheesh.