photo gallery - 20 march 2006
 

In the early morning hours on March 20, 2006, the third anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, an action organized by Act Against Torture transformed the intersection of Mongomery and Market Streets in San Francisco into a vivid demand that the U.S. end its heinous practices of torture and indefinite detention; and end the war and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds participated, and press coverage was widespread. Thanks to all who contributed photos; more can be viewed on sites linked from our press page.

 
Visual Takeover of Montgomery and Market intersection
Visual Takeover of Montgomery and Market intersection
 
hanging stop signs
Decorating the BART exit for morning commuters
 
youth spoken-word performance
Bay Area youth gave spoken word performances
 
signs on the fence
The fence surrounding the entrance to BART, hung with banners and posters
 
women with signs
Military families were among the participants.
 
commuters exiting the BART station
Commuters emerged from BART directly into the action.
 
petitin for Senator Feinstein
A petition for Senator Feinstein was signed by participants, and demanded:
  1. Co-sponsor the Feingold-Boxer resolution 171 that the President should submit to Congress a report on the time frame for the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq, and sponsor legislation to bring the troops home now from Iraq and Afghanistan.
  2. End the practices of torture, arbitrary and indefinite detention, and extraordinary rendition.
  3. Ensure the prosecution of all perpetrators of torture, human rights violations, and illegal war up to the highest level of military and political command.
  4. Actively oppose any new money to military operations for the "war on terror." Account for all money spent on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  5. Allocate reparations for damages and destruction caused by the illegal war in Iraq/
 
hooded prisoners on the corner
Hooded activists dressed in orange jumpsuits like those worn by prisoners at Guantanamo kneel on the corner of Mongomery and Market.
 
chalking sidewalks
The sidewalks were chalked with demands, and with the names of Iraqi civilians who have died during three years of war.
 
marching in the crosswalks
Marching in the crosswalks.
 
beginning of blockade
A blockade of Market Street began around 8:00 a.m.
 
caged and kneeling blockaders
Blockaders in a cage sized similarly to those in which prisoners are kept 23 - 24 hours per day at Guantanamo, and others kneeling in the intersection, stopped traffic until they were arrested by San Francisco police.
 
prisoners under guard
Activists played the roles of prisoners and guards, but others wanted to get into the action too...
 
police surrounding blockade
Police readied themselves for ... um, we're not quite sure what they thought was happening, but they sure look worried.
 
arresting blockaders
Helmeted police led orange-suited activists to a waiting police van. Seventeen blockaders were arrested.
 
War Plus Torture equals Fear Plus Terror
Making connections.