Anti-war protesters arrested in Washington
By Lindy Royce
CNN
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Police arrested 16 anti-war protesters who marched on the White House on Sunday in a second day of rallies against a possible war in Iraq that has drawn thousands to the capital.
Protesters chanted and sang as they approached the White House, but U.S. Park Police began making arrests after they exceeded the 25-demonstrator limit for Lafayette Park, across Pennsylvania
Avenue from the White House.
"We invited 25 in, and unfortunately, that's not what happened,"Sgt. Scott Fear said. "It's a security issue -- they knew this ahead of time."
Kathleen Bartlett traveled from Orlando, Florida, to participate in the demonstration.
"There are old women here, there are children, people who are willing to be arrested for the first times in their lives, because that's the only way they can get attention," she said. "If you look at the crowd, you'll see it's Middle America, working people who all come here because we care about our country, we care about our kids."
In Washington and San Francisco, California, at the two largest of the peace rallies held around the country and around the world this weekend, crowds were urged on by international peace activists, religious leaders, members of Congress, actors and musicians.
Some demonstrators wore costumes, and many carried signs with slogans such as "No blood for oil," "Act now, stop war and racism," and "What would Jesus do?"
