Anti-War March to Hit Hollywood Streets on Saturday

Thousands of protesters are expected to march on the streets of Hollywood on Saturday to mark the eighth anniversary of the American invasion of Iraq.

The anti-war protest, which is expected to draw more than 1,000 participants, will shut down portions of Hollywood and Sunset boulevards from late morning to midafternoon.

ANSWER LA is organizing the event, as it has for the past eight years.

Ian Thompson, a coordinator with the group, said that although American troops remain in Iraq and Afghanistan, "screws are being tightened on every level," pointing out that last year there were more civilian casualties in Afghanistan than ever before. 

Thompson believes the public is becoming more aware that the funds to pay for the wars could be better used as "money at home for jobs and education."

He expects turnout to be higher than last year, pointing to protests in Wisconsin and Egypt that show that "people have the power to make change." He estimated that last year there were about 5,000 participants.

Sgt. LaMont Jerrett, a special event coordinator with LAPD Hollywood Division, disputed that number, saying that he believed last year's turnout was closer to 1,000. Regardless, he said the LAPD anticipated a peaceful event, and that the last several marches have been uneventful.

Protestors are scheduled to assemble at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine at noon. After a presentation by speakers and musicians, the march will begin by going west on Hollywood Boulevard,  then turning south on Cahuenga to Sunset.

Protestors will march west on Sunset to Schrader, and then turn north to Hollywood, where they will proceed west to a rally point at Orange. Roads will be closed and opened as protesters clear the streets.

A map of the march route can be found on ANSWER LA's website.