Marchers protest war with Iraq
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 27, 2003
San Francisco — Many furniture market attendees took a long lunch break on the second day of market to watch a massive march organized by people opposed to taking military action against Iraq.
The march, which ended about two blocks from the San Francisco Mart at City Hall, drew tens of thousands of people of all ages and races. Local newspapers quoted San Francisco police as saying there were 100,000 to 150,000 marchers, while march organizers claimed were 200,000.
Once the protesters reached City Hall, they listened to a number of antiwar speakers, including Rep. Barbara Lee, the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution giving President Bush the authority to take military action against terrorists.
Market Street, which runs in front of the SFM, was closed for about three hours at mid-day while the march took place.
The event appeared to cause minimal disruption at the furniture market, although several exhibitors reported a noticeable dropoff in showroom traffic during the march.
