After Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait in August 1990, the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League passed resolutions giving Iraq a deadline of January 15, 1991 to leave Kuwait and authorizing military intervention if this did not occur. When Iraq did not withdraw, the United States and coalition forces from other countries began a heavy bombing campaign, codenamed Operation Desert Storm. As the deadline approached and war seemed inevitable, many people in Seattle and elsewhere called for peace, joined anti- or pro-war groups, and took part in days of vigils and protests.

Thousands of protesters in Seattle rallied and marched for peace on January 14, 1991, two days before the extensive aerial bombing campaign that marked the beginning of the Gulf War. Demonstrators marched through the streets, blocked traffic on Interstate 5, and gathered at various locations around the city. Over 12,000 people were estimated to have attended the protests that day.

This handmade poster announces a peace rally in Red Square on the University of Washington campus on January 14 at noon. The rally was organized by "Dawgs for Peace" and the 1000-plus demonstrators were joined by dozens of students from the nearby Roosevelt High School.

Caption information source: "Thousands March in Seattle - Anti-War protesters take to the streets," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 15, 1991, p. A1.