Marchers Decry U.S. Policy on Iraq

Nearly a thousand demonstrators gathered in Harvard Square on Friday afternoon to protest U.S. policy toward Iraq.

Marchers proceeded down Mass. Ave. to the Harvard subway stop. Responding to cries from a bullhorn, they chanted "No more war," as police squadcars followed with their lights flashing. The entire event lasted about 15 minutes.

Two men addressed the crowd assembled at the subway stop.

Dr. Walid Fitaihi, a clinical fellow at the Joslin Diabetes Center, spoke first. Fitaihi serves on the board of trustees of the Islamic Society of Boston, which organized the event.

"A new human tragedy is evolving in Iraq," he said. "Muslims in the greater Boston area join the enormous masses demanding no renewed bombing."

An Imam, an Islamic priest and president of the Islamic Society, spoke after Fitaihi. He addressed the crowd in Arabic. Following his speech, the crowd dispersed.

The event had been planned for two days, said Hassan El-Alami, media coordinator for the Islamic Society.

"We organized the demonstration to demand...no bombing of more people," El-Alami said.

The call for the protest went out that morning during Friday prayers in the mosques of Boston, Fitaihi said.

According to El-Alami, most of the protesters were Muslims.

Fitaihi described the crowd as "students, professional workers--American citizens."

Amahl A. Bishara '98, who marched with the protesters, expressed her objection to U.S. policy in Iraq.

"Bombings against Iraq are devastating Iraq. Sanctions are devastating Iraq. I think it's disgusting," she said.

Onlooker George Bryant, who works at Revolution Books on Mass. Ave., agreed.

"Lots of people are just sleeping on this issue," he said. "Someone needs to wake them up to what the U.S. is about to do."

Members of the Islamic Society were also involved in a Saturday teach-in at MIT, as well as a petition drive.

The society currently has no other plans to protest, El-Alami said, though he added that such a decision "depends on the situation."

"We hope the standoff will be ended," he said.