KING

On the four-year anniversary of the invasion, protestors descended on downtown Seattle to show their opposition to U.S. troops being in Iraq.

SEATTLE - Thousands of people gathered in Seattle Sunday in opposition to the war in Iraq. The crowd marched through downtown Seattle to show that four years into the Iraq war, these citizens want to end the conflict and bring the troops home.

"It's illegal, it's wrong, and we need to get out of Iraq now and we need to start supporting our own country. We have enough issues here. No more blood for oil and big business," said Kim Siemion.

Spc. Michael Volkert spent a year in Iraq.

"I feel it's my duty to be out here. As a soldier and as an American it's my right. I still have rights, even though I'm a soldier to come out here and stand up for what I don't believe in. I don't believe what's going on in the Middle East is right," he said.

Also present was Joe Colgan, whose son Benjamin was killed by roadside bomb during his 2003 tour of duty.

"I knew that his service and his death had nothing to do with protecting our freedom or promoting democracy," said Colgan.

There was a smattering of counter protesters, some there to heckle, others to object to the event altogether.

"They provide the terrorists with exactly what they wanted in the beginning - a devided America," said George Bentley.

But in general, the crowd was unified and organized, using their freedom of speech to speak out for what they believe in.

"Violence brings more violence. That's what I believe," said Ellie Duffield. "And that's why my other sign says 'wage peace.'"

Tomorrow, two separate marches are planned at 3 p.m. The Jobs with Justice - March 19 Coalition Anti-Iraq War March participants will rally at the federal courthouse on Seventh Avenue and Stewart Street and march to the Federal Building on Second Avenue and Marion Street via several streets.

Troops Home Now Coalition will rally at Westlake Park and march to the Federal Building.

Organizers say they expect thousands of demonstrators for the events.

Metro transit is warning riders that service could be disrupted.