Feb. 16 Protest Draws Thousands to S.F. Rally

The anti-war demonstration began Sunday morning with an 11 o’clock rally at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero in San Francisco.

At around noon, the march began up Market Street toward the City Center Plaza.

Along the way, Chronicle photographers captured the sights — and signs — throughout the day.

Bonnie Raitt marches down Market Street to a peace rally in February, flanked by her friends, actors Max Gail, left, and Danny Glover. Bonnie supports nonviolent disobedience, but disagrees with the tactics of those San Francisco protesters who blocked traffic in the city after the war began - February 17, 2003

Singer Bonnie Raitt performs for the peace marchers at the park opposite City Hall during a protest against the possible American invasion of Iraq. - San Francisco, California, USA - 16 Feb 2003

Bonnie Raitt sings at a Civic Center rally in San Francisco, on February 16, 2003. Over 200,000 people marched in protest to war with Iraq - San Francisco, California.

Bonnie Raitt, actor Danny Glover and Dolores Huerta (co-founder of the United Farmworkers Union) greeted marchers as they walked up Market Street in San Francisco's huge anti-war march. - February 17, 2003

Bonnie Raitt (R) and Joan Baez (C) hug after their duet while Danny Glover (L) applauds from behind them onstage during a protest against the possible American invasion of Iraq. San Francisco, California, USA - 16 Feb 2003

Bonnie Raitt and actor Danny Glover wait behind a banner for a march up Market Street to begin in San Francisco, on February 16, 2003. Over 200,000 people marched in protest to war with Iraq.

The big-name protestors leading the demonstration are from left to right: Bonnie Raitt, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, actor Danny Glover, Janince Mirikitani, and Rev. Cecil Williams. - February 16, 2003

Protesters, including actor Danny Glover, writer Alice Walker and singers Bonnie Raitt and Joan Baez, tied the San Francisco event to a worldwide series of demonstrations held Saturday around the world.

“We know that we have not been shown enough evidence for a preemptive strike,” Raitt said. “There are a million people around the globe who have shown they feel the same way.”

Joan Baez was wonderful — and in addition she said when people ask her what’s different today from the vietnam war protests she said: people today are SO better organized,they are much more creative with signage etc, and most impt they started early – BEFORE a war, where hopefully they can prevent it, not just stop one already in progress.

She and Bonnie Raitt did a duet… but for me the highlight was hearing Bonnie Raitt belt out her version of Steven Stills’ ‘For What It’s Worth’ (stop, children, what’s that sound, everybody look what’s going down) — her voice is so powerful and visceral. It was beautiful.

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