Coined a "Global Day of Action", the protests in New York City were timed with 100s of others staged around the world to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the Iraq War (Operation "Iraqi Enduring Freedom"). The rally took place at Madison Square Park (although the Park itself was cordoned off), followed by a 40 block march. Protesters filed down Madison Avenue from the north, many of whom never actually saw the stage but had to hear the event through an elaborate loudspeaker system set up at the corner of every block from 23rd up to at least 34th Street.

As is ususal, there were significant dicrepancies between reported numbers in attendance. Suffice it to say, protesters filled at least 32 blocks, the front of the march almost running into its tail. At one point, organizers had to hold up the march for about 20 minutes in order to keep a separation between the front and the back.

Unlike the recent DC rallies, there was a strong Palestinian presence in NYC. And, unlike the New York City rally from February a year ago, the NYC police were far fewer in number and far less agressive. Except for the mounted police, helmets were not worn and riot gear was notably absent. What a difference a year makes ...