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The anti-war protest, which took place on the Ellipse Saturday, was reportedly the largest demonstration in the nation's capital since the conflict in Iraq began, while the IMF/World Bank demonstration only brought out a handful of participants outside the buildings throughout the weekend.
The anti-war rally, coordinated by International ANSWER, an activist group formed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, took place from a stage 300 yards behind the White House. The speeches were followed by a march through the surrounding streets and ended in front of the White House.
Caneisha Mills, an ANSWER spokeswoman, said she is trying to convey the message that "9/11 was manipulated by the Bush administration to start the war." However, she said her organization's goal is not to change the administration's mind but "to create change within the nation."
More than 50 news organizations including Fox News and C-Span were at the event Saturday to cover speakers such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.), former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark and British Parliament member George Galloway.
Jackson began his speech by acknowledging that there are times when war is appropriate, but that this time, the Bush administration has gotten it wrong.
