What Is 24 September 2005 anti-war protest

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 24 September 2005 anti-war protest was a coordinated global demonstration against the Iraq War, drawing an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 participants in over 60 countries, with major marches in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and London.

Key Facts

An estimated 100,000 to 300,000 people participated globally on 24 September 2005.
Protests occurred in over 60 countries including the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Italy.
The Washington, D.C. march was organized by United for Peace and Justice (UPJ).
Major U.S. cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles held large-scale demonstrations.
Protesters demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and an end to the war.
Polls showed U.S. public support for the war had dropped to 40% by late 2005.
Organizers cited the anniversary of the 2004 U.S. troop surge as a key motivation.

Overview

The 24 September 2005 anti-war protest was one of the largest coordinated global demonstrations against the Iraq War, occurring two and a half years after the initial U.S.-led invasion. It reflected growing international opposition to the conflict, particularly as casualties mounted and no weapons of mass destruction were found.

Organized by a coalition of peace groups, religious organizations, and anti-war activists, the protests spanned six continents. The scale and coordination underscored a shift in public sentiment, especially in the United States and Western Europe, where disillusionment with the war intensified.

Over 60 countries hosted demonstrations, including major rallies in Washington, D.C., London, Rome, and Melbourne, making it one of the most geographically widespread anti-war actions to date.
The Washington, D.C. march, led by United for Peace and Justice, drew between 100,000 and 150,000 people, according to police and organizers, respectively.
In San Francisco, an estimated 60,000 protesters gathered, one of the largest anti-war demonstrations the city had seen since the Vietnam War era.
Protesters carried signs demanding "Bring the Troops Home Now" and chanted slogans condemning President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the 2004 U.S. troop surge and to pressure Congress ahead of the 2006 midterm elections.

Organizers and Demands

The protests were driven by a coalition of grassroots and national organizations united in opposition to the Iraq War. Their messaging emphasized accountability, human cost, and the erosion of civil liberties.

United for Peace and Justice (UPJ): A major U.S. coalition that coordinated the Washington, D.C. event, focusing on ending military occupation and redirecting war spending to social programs.
Stop the War Coalition (UK): Organized the London march, drawing 100,000 people and criticizing Prime Minister Tony Blair’s support for U.S. policy.
Human cost: Protesters highlighted that over 2,000 U.S. soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians had died by September 2005.
Financial cost: The war had already cost U.S. taxpayers over $200 billion, with critics arguing those funds should support healthcare and education.
Legal concerns: Activists denounced the use of preemptive war and violations of international law, citing the absence of UN authorization for the invasion.
Media influence: Demonstrators accused corporate media of downplaying anti-war sentiment and marginalizing dissenting voices in national discourse.

Comparison at a Glance

Anti-war protests from 2003 to 2005 varied in size, focus, and impact, reflecting evolving public opinion on the Iraq War.

Protest Date	Estimated Attendance	Key Cities	Primary Organizer	Key Message
20 February 2003	6–10 million globally	London, Rome, Madrid	Global peace networks	Stop the war before invasion
20 March 2003	1–2 million (U.S.)	New York, San Francisco	ANSWER Coalition	No war on Iraq
15 October 2004	150,000 (global)	Washington, D.C., London	United for Peace and Justice	End occupation
24 September 2005	100,000–300,000	Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Rome	UPJ, Stop the War	Bring troops home
March 2007	100,000+ (U.S.)	Washington, D.C.	Various coalitions	End war, impeach Bush

The 24 September 2005 protest differed from earlier actions by emphasizing troop withdrawal rather than preventing war, as the conflict was already underway. It also marked a shift toward sustained activism, with organizers framing it as part of an ongoing movement rather than a one-time event.

Why It Matters

The 24 September 2005 protest was a pivotal moment in the anti-Iraq War movement, demonstrating that opposition remained strong despite government efforts to normalize the conflict. It helped sustain media attention and influenced political discourse in the lead-up to the 2006 U.S. elections.

The protest contributed to a shift in congressional rhetoric, with more lawmakers calling for timelines to withdraw troops by late 2005.
It highlighted the role of grassroots organizing in sustaining long-term movements against military interventions.
Media coverage, though limited, helped amplify veterans' voices and families of soldiers affected by the war.
The demonstration inspired future global actions, including protests against the Afghanistan surge in 2009–2010.
It underscored the decline in public trust in government narratives about weapons of mass destruction and terrorism.
The protest became a reference point for historical analyses of 21st-century peace movements and civil resistance.

While it did not immediately end the war, the 24 September 2005 protest remains a symbol of global civic engagement and the enduring demand for accountability in foreign policy.