Minneapolis, MN – Over 600 people joined a Minneapolis anti-war march and rally on Saturday, March 20, to mark the seventh anniversary of the start of the U.S. war in Iraq with a call for an end to the wars and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Minneapolis protest was part of a nationwide day of peace actions, which saw protests in cities around the U.S. Hundreds gathered at Cedar Avenue and 3rd Street in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis.

The march received much support from people on the streets, with people coming out shops and cafes to wave in support and a nearly constant sounding of car horns in solidarity.

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “Anti-war protests are being held in cities across the U.S. to mark the seventh anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq with a call for an end to the wars and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and for funds to be used for housing, education and human needs.”

The statement continues, “The U.S. is escalating the war in Afghanistan, as seen by the dispatch of over 30,000 additional troops and the recent attack on the city of Marjah. News reports indicate that the U.S. is planning further assaults on Afghan cities and towns in the months ahead. There is also open discussion of keeping thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely.”

“These wars and occupations cost billions upon billions of dollars while millions of people go without healthcare, schools and colleges face budget cuts and millions are losing their homes to foreclosure and evictions,” the statement concludes.

The March 20 protest in Minneapolis was endorsed by a range of organizations, including the Anti-War Committee, Burnsville & Eagan Peace Vigils, Iraq Peace Action Coalition, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Sacred Heart Peace & Justice Committee, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Women Against Military Madness, Youth Against War & Racism and others.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #AntiWarCommittee #IraqPeaceActionCoalition