Free Republic

Protests Mark Fall of Baghdad April 10, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq — Tens of thousands of Shiites (search) marked the anniversary of the fall of Baghdad (search) with a protest against the American military presence at the square where Iraqis and U.S. troops toppled a statue of Saddam Hussein two years ago. The protesters back Muqtada al-Sadr (search), a radical Shiite cleric whose militia led uprisings against U.S. troops last year, and their large numbers reflected frustration both with the U.S. government (search) and anger toward the Sunni Arab-led insurgency. "This huge gathering shows that the Iraqi people have the strength...