USA: Police have arrested at least 100 protesters gathering at U.S. Capitol as they demonstrated against continued military action in Iraq

At least 100 protesters were arrested in the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Saturday (September 15) after they marched through the streets of Washington in opposition to the war in Iraq, police said. Thousands of protesters gathered at Lafayette Square in front of the White House with banners calling for an end to the war. Many banners also called for President Bush's impeachment. Groups like Gathering of Eagles and Free Republic, who support the U.S. efforts in Iraq also held a rally on the Mall. Saturday's march to the Capitol, home to the U.S. Congress, was the first major anti-war protest in Washington since January and is expected to be followed by a week of civil disobedience. The march comes at the end of a tense week in Washington over the debate on Iraq. General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker gave testimony before Congress early this week on the progress in the region. In response to their report, U.S. President George W. Bush ordered a gradual troop withdrawal, but Democrats criticise the plan.

ITN Source | September 16, 2007

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