Remember when: the last rally for peace was held in the shadow of the Gulf War’s beginning

TENS of thousands of peace protesters rallied around the world with just hours remaining before a deadline for Iraq to withdrawn from Kuwait as to pass, in the face of a military attack.

Flashback: last rally against Gulf

Gold Coast Bulletin, Wednesday January 16, 1991

TENS of thousands of peace protesters rallied around the world with just hours remaining before a deadline for Iraq to withdrawn from Kuwait as to pass, in the face of a military attack.

The demonstrations on at least four continents followed widespread anti-war protests and, in many cities, the ire of those participating was not at Iraq but the United States.

Major cities in Australia were the site of several protests, with about 4000 gathering in Sydney for an hour-long lunchtime rally outside Town Hall.

Some demonstrators carried mock coffins, while others carried anti-American banners and placards.

The protesters jeered when speakers mentioned Prime Minister Bob Hawke, who committed three naval ships to the Gulf after US President George Bush called in 1990.

Gold Coast Bulletin 1991, January 16. Front page.

In Brisbane nearly 2000 people staged a two-hour peace rally.

Community and religious leaders, politicians, students and families carried placards and chanted “no more Gulf War” as they marched from King George Square to the Roma Street Forum in protest of the looming war in the Middle East.

The Gulf War began as expected but lasted just weeks after the US and coalition forces immediately established devastating military supremacy over the region.

Protests again occurred across the world and on the Gold Coast 12 years later in the lead up to t the US-lead invasion of Iraq.

These protests were also for naught, with US and Australian forces entering the Middle Eastern nation on March 20, 2003.