More than 1,500 people staged a peaceful but loud protest in Sydney's CBD against United States President George W Bush's visit to Australia.
Just hours before Mr Bush was due to arrive in Canberra, protesters carried a giant black-shrouded puppet through the centre of Sydney, and denounced US foreign policy and the war with Iraq.
The crowd began gathering at Sydney's Town Hall shortly after 5pm (AEST), and grew to more 1,500 people.
Labor MP Harry Quick and Australian Greens senator Bob Brown addressed the protest.
Mr Quick said he had been told to be respectful to Mr Bush when he addresses parliament.
"Why should we respect this duplicitous, conniving, and lying president of the United States," he said.
"When I was growing up as a young man, I was taught respect had to be earned. George Bush will never be shown respect by the countless Australians who realise our government entered a war which was based on a deliberate lie."
Mounted police blocked several streets, as the protesters later made their way towards the US consulate in Martin Place.
Protesters waved placards with slogans such as "Regime change, Bush and Howard you're next", and chanted "George Bush, terrorist" and "Hey, hey, USA, how many kids did you kill today".
Note: I personally do not support this act but nor do i support our own Prime Minister.
