Tens of thousands of anti-war protesters rallied in front of the US Capitol in Washington DC today to pressure the US government to pull out of Iraq.
Veterans and military families joined some lawmakers, peace groups and actors including Vietnam war protester Jane Fonda to urge Congress and US President George W Bush to stop funding the war.
For more than two hours, speakers criticised Mr Bush and the US presence in Iraq before protesters marched around the Capitol.
A group of families of soldiers killed in Iraq stood holding pictures of their loved ones, including one photo of a soldier in full dress uniform lying in a coffin.
More than 3,000 US troops and tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed since the 2003 invasion.
The protest was one of several expected around the country, including a large march scheduled in Los Angeles.
Protesters planned coordinated efforts during the week to lobby lawmakers to take action against the war.
At least 15 killed in Baghdad blasts
At least 15 people are believed to have been killed and 55 injured in two suicide car bomb attacks in Baghdad.
Iraqi police sources say the bombs exploded in quick succession near a market in the mainly Shia New Baghdad district, in the east of the city.
Reports said that the first suicide bomber drove his vehicle into a busy street near a bird market in the Shia district.
The second bomber triggered his explosion minutes later, targeting those who had come to help victims of the first bomb.
Police said that eight computer firm employees were also kidnapped by men in police uniforms.
