(photo: Rose Mattrey)

Several hundred protesters gathered Saturday in Lafayette Square to mark the third anniversary of the American invasion of Iraq. For nearly two hours, students, veterans, activists and everyday people endured windchills of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while calling for an end to the war and the return of US troops. There were signs of all shapes and messages. People banged tambourines and drums, and yelled into bullhorns. American, Palestinian and Peace flags cracked in the gusts. It was beautiful bedlam in the name of peace. Thirty wooden crosses were set across the base of the monument in the square, each one representing a WNYer killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Their names were read off, as well as a short bio and his or her cause of death. The message of the day, which was sung loud and clear by all present was, “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” Hopefully someone was listening.