SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/AP) -- A handful of arrests punctuated noisy but peaceful demonstrations Wednesday in Berkeley and San Francisco on the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
Demonstrators stopped traffic during the morning commute in San Francisco as a festive procession described by some bystanders as “Mardi Gras with a Message” paraded past the headquarters of several major corporations.
There were arrests outside the Federal Reserve Bank, the Chevron Building and at a “die-in” staged on Kearny Street. In all, San Francisco police cited and released about 20 demonstrators.
Demonstrators from CodePink were cited for briefly unfurling a banner over the Golden Gate Bridge around 7 a.m.
In Berkeley, what started as a handful of activists camped outside a controversial Marine recruiting station grew into a raucous protest when Berkeley High School recessed for lunch. 
Hundreds of demonstrators, mostly young people, closed Shattuck Avenue in front of the recruiting station that became a lightning rod of controversy when the City Council passed—and later rescinded—a symbolic resolution condemning the Marine’s recruiting efforts in the East Bay city.
Besides the protests this morning, a rally and march is planned for this evening at the city's Civic Center.
San Francisco police have scheduled additional officers for a demonstration organizers expect to draw massive crowds.
Additional Resources
President Bush speaks at the Pentagon
Images courtesy of Cynthia Louie and Holly Quan
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