People across the nation took to the streets on the evening of January 11th, 2007, to protest President Bush’s announcement the day before of his intention to send 20,000+ more military personnel into Iraq. Coined a troop “surge”, Bush’s justification is for the need to deal with sectarian violence, particularly in the city of Baghdad. But most Americans (and now many Congressman) see this as an escalation of the conflict with little prospect for success.

MoveOn.org, with promotion and mobilization support from VAWN (the Virginia Antiwar Network), organized a rally in front of City Hall in downtown Richmond, Virginia. Over 160 people attended the event, soliciting many approving honks from passing motorists as they stood vigil along Broad Street from about 5-7PM that evening.