Entry: Iraqis' March to Protest Terrorism Ignored Sunday, November 30, 2003



The third anti-terrorism demonstration in Iraq has come and gone, with hardly a mention from the Western media. Why IS that?  Where are the pictures of brave Iraqis marching in the streets chanting "Yes to Iraq, No to Terrorism", as has been reported on several blogs kept by Iraqis (links in the left column)?  One such Iraqi wrote this report:

Local papers described the anti-terrorism demonstrations in Baghdad as being attended by several hundreds. The rallies were prepared and organized by political parties and tribal leaders which are not represented in the Governing Council such as the Iraqi Democratic Congregation (which includes several democratic parties), the Iraqi Democratic Current, the Iraqi Turkomen Front, and representatives and sheikhs from the Ka'ab, Al-Saada and other influential tribes in southern Iraq.

The demonstrations were held in Al-Tahrir square midtown Baghdad near the Freedom monument and the demonstrators marched on through Sa'doon street to the Fardus square in front of the Palestine and Sheraton hotels. Three symbolic coffins for the Iraqi police victims of bombings in Baghdad, Ba'quba, and Khan Bani Sa'ad were carried on cars ahead of the demonstrators representing a symbolic funeral for the victims of terrorism in Iraq. Protection was provided by IP, and various news reporters and jounalists covered the event according to the Azzaman Baghdad edition paper.


Another Iraqi remembered demonstrations under Saddam Hussein:
This the first time I march in a demo.
No one forced me, and I remembered the old days when we were obliged- by the tyrant's orders- to march in huge crowds in faked demos. crying out with his name and our love for our beloved leader.
His security men used to be surrounding us, watching the expression on our faces and how damn unlucky a man is if they notice that he was not doing the desired effort (shouting loudly).
We used to consider the police men as our enemies and there was even a proverb that says:" a police man will never see heaven"
Today, we consider them our defenders and our brothers.
they're sacrificing their lives tacking the front position to face the terrorists, they will definitely get rid of the bad reputation they earned in the past and they will learn to treat us respectfully, we're their brothers and our enemy doesn't distinguish between a civilian and a police man.


Finally, I was able to find the demonstration reported in a small way by
BBC News
.  It wasn't much of a report, but at least it was something.  Another, much larger demonstration is planned for 10 December 2003.  I wonder whether the media here in America will even bother reporting it?

We're all lucky that the Iraqis are learning to do that for themselves.

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