Washington, DC - Hundreds of thousands of antiwar protesters converged on Capital Hill on Saturday, demanding that Congress end the war in Iraq. Outraged Americans across a broad spectrum of backgrounds and political persuasions, from nearly every state in the union, rallied and marched as one in this common-sense goal. There were Jews for peace, transsexuals for peace, Christians against abortion and war, belly dancers and musicians for peace, Vietnam Veterans against the war, "9/11 truth" activists against the war, a delegation from Camp Casey, activists from the National Organization of Women, Military Family members speaking out, Buddhists, Unitarians, socialist workers, anarchists, revolutionary communists, and union organizers to name a few.

But the vast majority of the people there were just typical Americans concerned about an amoral, endless war, the senseless slaughter of the Iraqi people, and the ruinous consequences the war is having on America's economy and our place in global public opinion.

By noon, the crowd was so thick that it was virtually impossible to get within sight of the stage. It took hours from the beginning of the march for the mass of protesters to squeeze onto Madison Avenue. Protesters overflowed Capital Hill's broad streets in every direction. The start of the march had returned to the mall before the last marchers could fit onto the street, leaving Capital Hill completely surrounded by protesters. Organizers estimated the demonstration at half a million people.

The atmosphere varied from outrage to festive to somber. Everyone seemed relatively calm, focused, and purposeful. The police refrained from showing riot gear or heavy weapons, largely kept their horses and motorcycles idle and off the streets, and were occasionally visible riding bicycles or just on foot. At first the beginning of the march was blockaded not by police, but by a wall of cameramen and reporters. The antiwar protest was the top story on NPR news and numerous international publications.

Impromptu street music, stilt walkers, protesters with elaborate and ironic costumes and props, belly dancers, and a group of young men and women offering to perform fellatio on Bush to secure his impeachment all helped lighten the mood. About 15 counter-protesters with signs such as "hippies stink" were a stark reminder that a few Americans need no further justification to continue the occupation of Iraq.

One protester was dressed as a missile with the words "DROP BUSH NOT BOMBS" written on it. A stilt walker dressed as Uncle Sam with a foot-long nose and blowing a trumpet symbolized the height and volume of the government's lies to justify the war. A huge puppet blindfolded with the American flag seemed to have his hands full with the agendas of Fox news and oil corporations. Dozens of hooded and shackled protesters in orange jumpsuits sought to make visible the arbitrary indefinite detention and torture of thousands of innocent people as part of the "War on Terror." A woman painted green and dressed as the statue of liberty held a sign saying "protect us from Bush." And a 40-foot spinal column snaked through the streets, urging Congress to stand up to George Bush.

There were only two minor acts of property destruction visible for the entire day, both symbolizing corrupt government and corporate activities. A sign stating that "This Area May Be Monitored by the Metropolitan Police Using Closed Circuit Television…" was amended to include "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING… circa 1984… this is what a police state looks like." A rock or two was also placed through the windshield of a FOX news van in apparent frustration with their unbalanced parroting of the Bush agenda.

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Audio from this event will be available on NH Making Waves #117. (to be posted in early February)