The London rally, the third to be held this year, was organised by Stop the War, the Muslim Association of Great Britain and CND.

It focussed on those killed in the war and marchers were asked to bring flowers, cards or wreaths to lay outside 10 Downing Street as they walked past.

Protests also took place in around 40 other countries including, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Greece and France.

Do the war protesters still have a valid case? Did you take part in any of the marches or vigils?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received

I find the anti-war stance to be a bit ridiculous, especially now. Did nobody watch the Iraqi's dance and cheer in the streets, hugging and kissing the Marines? It seems the anti-war people would rather have the Iraqi people continue to suffer than to ever agree with what the US did. The only opinion that matters is that of the Iraqi people, and as we have all seen, they appear to be very much for this war.
Matt, NYC, USA

I am mystified that anyone still supports this war after the pictures that have come out of Iraq. We see children with their arms torn off, babies with shrapnel wounds, and some people dismiss this as simply a fact of war. The fact of the war is that, despite the camera friendly images of statues being toppled, Iraq is in a state of anarchy and the Americans who, under the Geneva convention, are responsible for maintaining law and order in an occupied country, are now "debating" whether that's their job or not. God bless America. God bless anarchy. Who's next on the hit list? The administration will find another enemy quickly so everyone will forget yet an other mess they've left behind in their push for global control.
Kristine Walker, Canada

It's time to shift the focus onto ensuring the US-UK axis deliver on their promises regarding reconstruction and democratization Paul, Brit in Canada

As law and order breaks down in Iraq, a humanitarian disaster looms, no weapons of mass destruction are found, and we find out more about the scale of Iraqi casualties, it's becoming increasingly clear the anti-war protesters were right all along. Nevertheless, I expect a lower turnout for marches over this weekend. I think many anti-war activists feel it's time to shift the focus onto ensuring the US-UK axis deliver on their promises regarding reconstruction and democratization. Personally I won't be holding my breath.
Paul, Brit in Canada

It looks like there are far more happy Iraqis today than the there are protesters. It appears the protesters are missing the point. Do they not want those Iraqis to be happy? Would they like us to put Saddam back? What valid argument can they have when millions of Iraqi are cheering in the streets? I don't get it. The protesters are uninformed ingrates who are upset nobody listened to them.
Mark, USA

The Protests are still valid; yesterday's in London was the first one I went on. We are protesting against more then just the war, we are protesting against the occupation of Iraq, I personally believe Blair and Bush should be held accountable for their war crimes and we have to protest against Bush and Rumsfeld threatening to attack Syria.
Hefin Raymond, Wales

Protestors are ridiculous- they say that they blame us for Iraqi people dying every day, but Iraqi people were dying every day under Saddam's regime. Now there is a long road to recovery from the war, but life will ultimately be better for the Iraqi's now that Saddam is gone. Congratulations Marchers! We also have a march in our campus here. I've never supported war and will never do. I believe it could have been solved in a more humane manner. I honestly do not think the damages this gulf war II brings will make the Iraqis future any brighter. Lets just hope US will not wash their hands as they did to Afghanistan.
Phoebe, USA

People protesting this war should be better educated about the facts before opening their naive mouths, it's unbelievable.
Angela, USA

Protest against war is a normal human reaction Oliseyem Okoh, Nigeria

Protest against war is a normal human reaction, judging from the fact that innocent civilians and even soldiers will lose their lives. However, loss of 100 lives in order to save millions now and in the future may be justified. I praise the Iraqis for standing up against the oppressive regime of the late Saddam Hussein, who I believe has paid the prize of his unjust rule. Please allied forces; restore normalcy and hand over the governance of Iraq to the Iraqis so that peace may reign.
Oliseyem Okoh, Nigeria

From what the war protesters say, I must conclude that the liberation of France and Germany 58 years ago was wrong. The more I read, the more I come to believe that the war protesters really mean that.
Per Antonsen, Norway

Political protest is a commendable and healthy aspect of democracy when certain distinctions are made, but not so opposition for the sake of opposition, criticism because its some sort of fashionable expression; a lifestyle. The hardcore peace protesters whom we saw march on Saturday would back any Anti-war or Anti-American action. To answer Edwin Starr's immortal question "War, what is it good for?" Well how about the end of slavery and the holocaust for a start.
Tom Oliver, UK

This war has been a great example of how wars should be prosecuted. The loss of life has been kept to a minimum and without the evil despot Saddam, many future atrocities and loss of life has been averted. To the misguided protesters - I say thank God our leaders have more sense and true compassion than you do.
Todd MacDaniels, US living in UK

I find the comment by Francis in England offensive. Yes, the Iraqis have the ability to go on protests as we do. They also have the ability to loot shops, homes, museums and hospitals, be beaten or starved to death, and die of water-borne diseases in huge numbers. This is because law and order have completely broken down and because coalition forces sent there illegally by our government have smashed their infrastructure. This chaos is what we are protesting against.
Robert, UK

I think the protests have died down because we have seen the reaction of the Iraqi people Mark Longstreth, USA

I think the protests have died down because we have seen the reaction of the Iraqi people. While it was seemingly lost upon most protestors just how savage Saddam's tyranny was - and just how many innocent civilians died at the hands of Saddam - the Iraqi people lived through it. They know all about civilian casualties. Let's be happy for the Iraqis, and start to focus on relevant issues - like how to rebuild Iraq from 25 years of hell.
Mark Longstreth, USA

I protest because I accept the truth that comes from facts and the nature of things, and not the truth devised by the human mind. I protest because I want to live according to the moral values of knowledge and not according to prejudice and superstition. I protest because I praise beauty, because beauty is as strong as my mind and perishable as my flesh. And mainly this: I protest because I love humans. How else can it be? Human is the most tragic creature in universe.
Konstantinos, Athens, Greece

The war protesters still do have a valid case. As Joscka Fischer put it before the war: "You have to make the case!" No one did. But they went to war. The US think they have succeeded, but they failed to view this as a project with important stages before, during and after the action. Now anarchy reigns, not only in the streets of Baghdad but also at the borders of neighbouring countries. This is not a success. It is a walk over, a "hit and run" which all too well reflects the mentality of the US.
Lars Reker, Denmark

I was at Hyde Park on Feb 15, but chose not to go to more protests once war had begun - a withdrawal now would be impossible and its consequences terrible. This does not mean that I agree with the pro war lobby; far from it - my convictions are only strengthened by this appalling mess. Do I hear the accusation 'conspiracy theorist'? What about the one about Iraq having WMD, complicity in 9/11, and a global terrorist agenda?
Dave, UK

I admire those who continue to demonstrate in the UK - they are right Jusfiq Hadjar, The Netherlands

I admire those who continue to demonstrate in the UK - they are right. The war is morally wrong and Blair has made an unforgettable mistake to support the cowboy Bush to engage British soldier to kill and to get killed. The road to peaceful resolution to disarm Saddam and to help the Iraqis to topple Saddam was still open.
Jusfiq Hadjar, The Netherlands

The United States try to "establish a democracy" in Iraq. They cannot do it because at the time America is the most totalitarian state in the world. Their much-vaunted freedom of speech now is absolutely prohibited. For the sake of.. of what? A state initially founded on a lie (I mean "newly-born" Iraq) is to be unsteady in the long term. I think, the British who support the war still do not fully understand the situation.
Dmitry Ustinov, Russian Federation

I have been to every anti-war demo in London thus far. It is obvious these are having no effect on Blair. He's not bothered the slightest bit. Soon certain groups will have had enough of the peaceful protests and the silent vigils. I fear a day when people will cross the line and hurt these so-called democratic leaders where it hurts them the most. Don't be surprised if the next one turns violent, Blair would have earned it.
Henri Isad, United Kingdom

The protests did not stop the war. They are becoming a part of the tunnel vision that is allowing other issues to go unreported. For example Israel has begun targeting international human shield organizations while the world is distracted with Iraq. Who knows what other tragedies are going unreported?
Brahm, Canada

The protests didn't stop the war but nevertheless ensured that the world turned a critical eye to what was going on. Without this, the war would have been a far bloodier, indiscriminate affair. What the citizens of the coalition democracies must do now is to keep the pressure on and force their leaders to give the Iraqi people the freedom and autonomy that they have been promised.
Ben Wilson, UK

Military action was justified Robbo, England

The number of protesters has dwindled considerably. Perhaps this is because most of them now realise that the military action was justified and the Iraqi people needed our help. When will the others wake up?
Robbo, England

The protesters have gone unheeded but they are right. The archaeological museum in Baghdad, containing art treasures going back 5000 years to the dawn of human civilisation, has been ransacked and looted. Historians of the future will write off the Americans as utter barbarians.
Edmund Burke, England

I was on the last 2 marches and was planning to be at this one but I had to work. Still, my views have, if anything, intensified. I think this war was wrong and it still is wrong. It's also important to register our protest at the next one, be it Syria or Iran or whoever....
Phil Martin, UK

Anyone who accuses us of supporting Saddam hasn't heard the truth Julie, England

Congratulations to the marchers. Sorry I couldn't be there in London today but am there in spirit. We also had a rally here in Newcastle; the mood is more sombre but our aims are still the same - to stop Blair and Bush. Anyone who accuses us of supporting Saddam hasn't heard the truth; the US armed him years ago!
Julie, England

Before the war began I was strongly against its commencement considering the death toll on both sides. But once it started I realised that it takes two to tango, and if Saddam really had the safety of his people in heart, he sure would have opted out of Iraq for exile if only to save lives. The need to protest, as far as I am concerned, died for that reason.
K.E., Japan

The protests should continue until the last foreign soldier get out of Iraq.
Marianne Andrea, Nazareth

I was not in favour of going to war and still believe that we shouldn't have done so - the weapons inspectors and diplomats were making ground. However, to start a war and not finish it would have been worse, leaving the Iraqi people in the same situation (or worse) as we did 12 years ago. I worry greatly about the motives of the US in getting involved, but I will not be protesting this time. The war is almost over, and I will save my protest for when I know what will happen next.
S. Weekes, Wales

It is still valid to be objecting to this Magda, Oldham, UK (US citizen)

Stop the War Coalition was formed in response to Bush's 'war on terror' - the battles in Iraq are just part of the Bush plan to subjugate the world so that Americans can behave as they wish. It is still valid to be objecting to this. In the town I am living in, far right nationalist parties are standing in elections, hoping to capitalise on the racism and anti-asylum feeling stoked by the war. Stop the War Coalition is also committed to protesting against this.
Magda, Oldham, UK (US citizen)

Protesters have an even stronger case today than they did a month ago. This invasion was undertaken on the pretext of destroying WMD, then the spin was changed to regime change and then to liberation. The Americans are being lied to and called unpatriotic if they do not succumb to all the jive coming out of Washington. I am unable to go to San Francisco today because of a conflict beyond my control, but would otherwise.
Olene, USA

We need to protest in order to show that the Coalition of Chaos can't fool all the people all the time. How soon before we are all tried for "Un-American Activities"?
Adrian Brown, England

I joined the peace movement in 1946 Winifred Howard, England

Of course the protests are still valid and will continue to be so. I cannot forgive my government for joining the US government in this act of aggression. The UN is not a perfect organisation but it's the best we've got and deserves our continued support much more than the US State Department. I joined the peace movement in 1946 before it existed and am full of regret that a temporary but severe physical problem prevents me from joining the protests. My family and close friends have been and will be there.
Winifred Howard, England

There is no point in marching against a war that is already almost other. If the protestors really care about Iraqis, they will change their tactics and instead campaign to ensure that the Coalition really does deliver democracy for Iraq.
Caitlin, UK

From the word go people from all over the world were against America's and Britain's intention to attack Iraq but President Bush and Prime Minister Blair did not listen. So it's useless to organise another protest march at the continuing war in Iraq when the war is almost about to end.
Sorie J. Bayoh, Bamako, Mali

People forget that Saddam was an ally of the West. Nothing will change they will replace one despot with another stooge. The only result of the war being anarchy, poverty and destruction. Why does not the West stay out of the politics of all countries neither supporting dictators or removing them?
Navid Anwar, UK

In this country we have the right to go on these protests. I find it ironic that these campaigners do not support this war which has given the Iraqi people the same rights as we do.
Francis, England