PARIS (Reuters) – Thousands of people in the French capital demonstrated against the war in Iraq on Saturday as President Bush met France’s Jacques Chirac ahead of ceremonies commemorating the D-Day landings in Normandy.
Wearing T-shirts depicting Bush as a war criminal and carrying banners reading “Bush — Terrorist number one!” and “U.S. troops out of Iraq,” a colorful crowd of students, housewives and office workers marched through central Paris.
Police estimated 12,000 took part in the protest. Organizers were not available to give their own estimate.
Demonstrators chanted “Go home” and “Bush — Assassin,” but were banned from the area round the Elysee presidential palace, where the two leaders held their talks.
Bush and Chirac were hoping to improve bilateral ties strained by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which France opposed. As they met, ceremonies were under way in Normandy to mark the 60th anniversary of the Allied D-Day landings in June 1944.
“I hope Chirac stands by France’s opposition to sending troops to Iraq,” said protester Micheline Entine, 70.
Eugenie Printezi, a 23-year-old student, said she wanted the foreign troops in Iraq to be withdrawn. “We feel only regret and pity for Bush. That man cares about nothing but his own interests,” she said.
A delegation of U.S. citizens joined the march through central Paris. Rob Mohl, an American living in the city, carried a U.S. flag emblazoned with the words: “Honor in 1944. Shame in 2004. I weep for my country.”
Another banner read: “I love my country. I hate my president.”