(March 22, 2003) -- While U.S. troops conducted operations -- many under hostile fire -- to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein's regime, the LB Area Peace Action Network and the L.A. based "ANSWER" coalition sponsored a "Mass March And Rally Against the War On Iraq" today. At its height, an estimated 1,200 people marched down Ocean Blvd. from Lincoln Park to Bixby Park.

Today's event differed from a January 15 LB rally (previously reported in detail by LBReport.com) at which LB area Assemblymember Alan Lowenthal and LB Councilmembers Bonnie Lowenthal and Tonia Reyes-Uranga appeared and spoke. Today, no government officials appeared or spoke.

And today, a number of residents supporting U.S. policy turned out...in small numbers, but visible and audible.

Some residents on Ocean Blvd. painted their windows with messages showing their support for U.S. policy.

Others made signs and came down to Ocean Boulevard to express their views. Some signs said, "Want Peace, Fight 4 It" and "Anti-War = Terrorism."

A number of signs in the march hurled vituperation at President Bush.

Others blasted U.S. media outlets, including ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN & Fox, whose coverage has highlighted high tech military operations. In recent days, some networks have shown Iraqis welcoming U.S. troops as liberators.

Marchers chanted "No blood for oil," "Drop Bush not bombs," "Bring them home" and "Welfare not warfare."

There were no arrests. LBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Paul LeBaron told LBReport.com that organizers and LBPD had communicated several times prior to the march. LB city crews coordinated with police to guide traffic and prepare parts of Ocean Blvd. for the marchers.

Marchers followed an agreed route and officers were present in healthy numbers.

Other sights:

Stickers being sold by an individual at Bixby Park.