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From hiding, Sadr rallies against the US
The radical Shiite cleric shows his strength with large anti-US rallies in the cities of Kufa and Najaf.
from the April 10, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
On Sunday, tens of thousands of Sadr's supporters crammed into the backs of trucks or into minibuses draped with giant Iraqi flags to make the 100-mile journey south to Najaf. Passengers waved flags from honking vehicles. On arrival, people slept in parks, on sidewalks, and even inside Najaf's famed Valley of Peace cemetery, which was the scene of vicious fighting between Sadr's partisans and US forces in 2004. Huge vats were wheeled out into the streets to cook for the crowds.
The demonstration kicked off early on Monday morning amid tight security, including a ban on vehicle circulation inside Najaf and Kufa. In addition to the Iraqi police and soldiers, dozens of armed members of Sadr's movement fanned out among the crowds.
Protestors waving Iraqi flags and carrying banners emerged in groups from Kufa's Grand Mosque, walking about six miles to the 1920 Revolution Square in Najaf. The square, named after the Shiite uprising against British colonial rule, is also known as the Sadrain Square, in homage to Sadr's father and great uncle, both slain under Saddam Hussein's regime.
"No, No America. Death to America," read some of the banners.
"I want the occupation to leave right away. Now, no timetable. We want to be ruled by Iraqis only," said Farhan Turki, one of the protestors.
State-owned television carried segments of the demonstration live but characterized it as a celebration of the fourth anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Four years ago, US soldiers toppled a 20-foot-high statue of Hussein in Baghdad's Firdous Square. A crowd of Iraqis swarmed over the statue and danced on it.
Still, the government's response to Monday's demonstration was confused. Initially, it put out a statement on Sunday saying Monday was a regular business day. But that was followed by another statement imposing a ban on vehicles traveling in Baghdad.
Many Baghdadis, especially in Shiite strongholds, put Iraqi flags on their roof-tops or outside their shops. "We respect Sadr's call. Some of his supporters are more active. They will fight and go down to Najaf. Our support is more passive," said Ali Shaker, a pastry shop owner.
Iraqi flags fluttered from many of the capital's hospitals and government buildings. Policemen, who are renowned for their support for Sadr, draped flags on the hoods of their vehicles.
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