10 April 2007
Yesterday, the holy city of Najaf’s streets were filled with tens of thousands of protesters, Shiites, loyal to Moktada al-Sadr. Smaller numbers of Sunnis were also there. They chanted “Death to America†and burned American flags. They were demanding the end of American military presence in Iraq. Isn’t anyone listening? An American military spokesman in Baghdad, said that American officers helped plan for security in Najaf, but Iraqis took the lead. Here is a quote from the American spokesperson “We say that we’re here to support democracy,†he said. “We say that free speech and freedom of assembly are part of that. While we don’t necessarily agree with the message, we agree with their right to say it”. He tried to put the best possible light on the rally.
I say bring the troops home and let the Iraqis sort out their own secular problems…Joan Lough
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