On March 20, 2003, the United States declared war against the Iraqi government. Last Saturday, on the anniversary of this event, about 3,000 Pittsburgh citizens came together to protest the war.

Organized by the Anti-War Committee of the Thomas Merton Center, the march was part of a larger set of protests organized as part of the Global Weekend of Protests. The protesters met on Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park and began a rally to organize and excite the group. After the rally, they marched to Forbes Avenue and up to Craig Street.

Along the way, the protesters chanted such sayings as “Move Bush, get out the way,” and “What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like!”

Then, they marched down Fifth Avenue to the William Pitt Union, where they joined in on singing songs as part of a peace circle. The anti-war protesters were met with a few pro-war protesters made up mainly of students from around the area. The peace circle was followed by a concert in the Southside.

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The protesters met at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. Even though the weather was less than perfect, the group filled the valley, umbrellas in hand.	Police watched from the top of Flagstaff Hill, blocking traffic and ensuring the safety of the protesters, onlookers, and opposing protesters.
Protestors carried many different objects, including signs, rainbow flags with "PEACE" emblazoned on them, and a fabric dove flown high above the group.	One of the opposing groups, The Northern Allegheny Teenage Republicans, was present during the rally before the march, holding their own signs in support of President Bush and the war that began one year ago last Saturday.
A group called the Radical Cheerleaders began the march by singing a few cheers. They stayed near the front of the group, and occasionally led some call-back cheers.	The march began with the group walking through Schenley Park and down to Forbes Avenue.
This sign, in support of the Green Party, called for multinational solidarity and peace.	The great number of protesters turned on to Forbes Avenue. The group extended well into the Park and up toward Craig Street.
A group of supporters stood at the entrance of St. Paul’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. They held up signs showing their endorsement of the protesters and received many cheers from the group.	Police stood in front of the University's Mellon Institute on Fifth Avenue, as well as the Software Engineering Institute, to protect these buildings from potential damage by protesters. Many other Carnegie Mellon buildings were locked with only key card entry to ensure that only students could enter.
A group of bikers led the group for most of the protest. Even the cycles had signs attached to them, showing their support for the protesters. Ahead of these bikes was a line of police motorcycles used to block oncoming traffic.	This sign appeared near the front of the group of marchers.
An opposing group, The College Republicans, comprised of students from both the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, met the protesters at the Fort Pitt Union building to demonstare their support of the war and President Bush. The Northern Allegheny Teenage Republicans later joined this group as they came up to the Fort Pitt Union.	The protesters reached the Fort Pitt Union, and until 5 p.m., they sang songs of peace and harmony.