http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050812/pl_afp/usiraqattacksmarchWASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon is dismissing claims that a "Freedom Walk" marking the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attacks and honoring US troops is merely a sinister stunt to build support for the Iraq war. Walkers will leave the Pentagon parking lot this September 11 to trek two miles (3.2 kilometres) to Washington's National Mall, in an event culminating with a concert by Country Music star Clint Black.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said Tuesday the walk would wind its way past some of Washington's most famous monuments "reminding participants of the sacrifices of this generation and of each previous generation that have so successfully defended our freedoms."
But critics say the Pentagon-sponsored "America Supports You Freedom Walk" is the latest bid by the Bush administration to connect the invasion of Iraq with September 11, despite the lack of evidence an Iraqi role in the 2001 attacks. "The fact that they are having the walk on September 11 is clearly an attempt to link the two," said Nancy Mitchell, media coordinator of anti-war group ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism).
Some critics of the walk, notably on online political weblogs or "blogs," have said the requirement for marchers to sign up online providing a name and contact information provides the walk with an Orwellian touch.