February 20, 2004

By: Zi Perry
Website: http://www.1st-in-flags.com

Guide to the flags and symbols of recent anti-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C.

As a public service, the DC Chapter of FreeRepublic.com provides this guide to the flags and symbols displayed at recent public demonstrations in Washington DC. With so many, often-unfamiliar, flags, symbols, and messages displayed at these events, we feel this guide may be useful in better understanding upcoming similar events and the groups participating in them. All of the flags and symbols in this guide have been displayed at one or more of the various events billed as "antiwar" demonstrations, such as those held in Washington.

Hezbollah flag. Flag of an Iranian-supported Islamist terrorist group operating out of Lebanon, Hezbollah (also spelled Hizbollah) carries out deadly attacks against civilians in the region. The group claimed responsibility for truck-bomb attacks in 1983 in Beirut Lebanon that killed 253 Americans, mostly US Marines and Embassy staff.

Iraq flag. Flag of the Middle Eastern country bordering Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Syria. Ruled since 1979 by a clan-based dictatorship headed by Saddam Hussein, Iraq precipitated the 1980-88 war with Iran, as well as the 1990-91 Gulf War. Iraq remains in violation of numerous UN resolutions, related to Saddam Hussein's pursuit and possession of weapons of mass destruction. Iraq has been designated by the US Government as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Palestinian Authority flag. Flag of an organization created by a 1994 Israeli-Palestinian agreement (Oslo Accords) to exercise governmental authority over Palestinian-populated areas within disputed territories occupied since the creation of Israel by Jordan (1948-67) and then by Israel (1967-present). Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled areas have been used as staging areas for numerous deadly attacks against civilians, including Americans. PA-controlled areas were also the scene of public celebrations on September 11, 2001, when Islamist terrorists murdered 3,000 Americans and other nationals in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

About The Author:

Zi Perry is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-flags.com.  The flags of the world are symbols of recognition full of beauty and color for each country.