Mary Wilson had mixed emotions a year ago about going to war in Iraq. Today she thinks it is a big mistake.

That’s why Wilson was one of about 300 people who participated in a march Saturday morning through downtown Lawrence. The march was followed by a peace rally in South Park to mark the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

Wilson, 46, of Lawrence, said President Bush’s administration lied to Americans about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction and the Iraqi regime’s ties to world terrorism.

“I don’t think the war in Iraq has had any affect on terrorism,” Wilson said. “I do support the military forces over there, but I think they and their families are victims.

Veronica Taylor drove from Manhattan to participate in the rally. She marched against the war last year and said she wasn’t surprised protests against the war were continuing a year later.

“Wars don’t go very fast and occupations don’t go very fast,” said Taylor, 50. “I think we’ll be back here next year.”

Marchers gathered at Buford M. Watson Jr. Park at Seventh and Kentucky streets, then made their way south on Massachusetts Street to the sound of a bagpipe and the somber beat of a single drum.

At the front of the parade, marchers carried a banner bearing the words “Casualties of War — What For?” Others carried black boxes in the shape of coffins with American and Iraqi casualty statistics printed on their sides.

At South Park, yellow ribbons were distributed in honor of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians killed during the war and occupation. The ribbons were then tied to tree branches.

Wearing the dark colors of mourning, war protesters march through downtown Lawrence to mark the first anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The protesters rallied at South Park in honor of those killed and wounded in the war.

“We’re here to remember soldiers and civilians from all nations: innocent victims dragged into America’s needless battle,” said Kerri Conan, one of the speakers during the rally, which was organized by the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice. “We rejected the violence a year ago and we reject it today.”

Conan urged those against the U.S. policies in Iraq to speak out to Americans “too shocked and awed” by President George W. Bush’s failures.

Allan Hanson, coordinator of the Peace and Justice coalition, said he was not surprised war protests continued. He said he hoped the United Nations could become more involved with helping Iraq so that it would become less of an American operation.

“We say we are going to turn power over to the Iraqis at the end of June, but the degree of chaos over there is very upsetting,” Hanson said.

Saturday afternoon peace rallies that take place in front of the Douglas County Courthouse at 11th and Massachusetts streets will continue as long as people want to come, Hanson said.

Sierra Forester, 7, Lawrence, makes her contribution for peace during a rally Saturday to mark the anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Eric Haar sat on a park bench watching the rally while holding a sign that said “Bush, 2004.”

“I feel right at home among others with whom I disagree,” said Haar, who most Saturdays sits by himself across the street with his sign during the peace rallies.

“They are very, well organized” the 30-year-old Lawrence man said. “I have a lot of respect for them despite the fact that I disagree with almost everything they say.”

From left, stepsisters Siri Larsen, 17, Bloomington, Ind.; May Weil, 14, Central Junior High School student; Teal Larsen, 15, Bloomingon; and Nicolette Weil, 17, Lawrence High School student, march with war protesters through downtown Lawrence. Saturday's event drew about 300 participants.

Global protests call for U.S. to leave Iraq