Shoe Protests Around The World

Beyond The Arab World — Press Assn. via AP/D. Lipinski

Protestors wave shoes in the air outside the American Embassy at Grosvenor Square, London on Friday, December 19, 2008, as part of a demonstration in support of Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, who was detained for throwing a shoe at U.S. President George W Bush last week.

Shots Heard 'Round The World

Muntadhar al-Zeidi threw two shoes at Mr. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad, branding him a "dog." His brother says al-Zeidi was beaten so badly after being detained that Iraqi officials have not allowed him to appear in a courtroom. Those charges have been denied, but al-Zeidi has not been seen in public since his arrest.

Solidarity

Iraqis raise their shoes as hundreds demanded a release for Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. A magistrate investigating the incident told AP he was seeking the names of those who assaulted al-Zeidi. The journalist remained in custody and was expected to eventually face charges of insulting a foreign leader; a conviction could bring a sentence of two years in prison.

London Calling

The very public display of antipathy toward the American leader and the assailant's detention has prompted demonstrations around the globe. Up to 50 demonstrators in London (some carrying shoes mounted on sticks) protested the arrest of Zeidi and called for his release.

Calling Cards

After the protest, piles of shoes were dumped in front of the U.S. Embassy in London.

Turkey

Turkish students hold a cartoon of which reads "The farewell to Mr. Bush" as they protest against the invasion of Iraq and express their solidarity with Zeidi outside the U.S. embassy in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.

Memorial

Riot police are seen in front of a black wreath with a pair of shoes left by leftist demonstrators at the gate of the U. S. embassy in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008.

Target

A Jordanian protestor holds up a picture of President Bush with a shoe fixed on it, during a demonstration in support of Zeidi in Amman, Jordan, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.

Lebanon

A Lebanese leftist student, holding a pair of white shoes, stands outside the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008. She was one of several students belonging to the Lebanese Communist Party who demonstrated in front of the Iraqi Embassy to protest al-Zeidi's detention. The pamphlet reads in Arabic: "Train on rejecting the American aggression."

Cairo

Egyptian activists and journalists shout slogans and hold shoes during a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Dec.18, 2008, against the detention of Iraqi TV reporter Muntadhar al-Zeidi.

A Really Big Shoe

Supporters of the Pakistani religious party Jamaat-i-Islami hold a giant shoe during a rally supporting the Iraqi journalist, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 in Karachi, Pakistan.

Uniter, Not A Divider

Protestors in India (left) and Pakistan (right) share messages of rage and mockery against a common target.

Fashion Statement

Chilean designer Raul Aguilera shows a T-shirt depicting a new political, if not fashion trend, in Santiago, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008.

O Canada

Demonstrators hold a rally across the street from the U.S. consulate in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 in support of jailed Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi.

Meanwhile, Back Home...

Anti-war protesters throw shoes at a fellow demonstrator wearing a prison uniform and mask of President George W. Bush outside the White House in Washington on Wednesday.

Code Pink

Code Pink members Fred Bialy (left) and Toby Blome of El Cerrito, Calif., hang shoes outside a Marine Corps recruiting station during a protest in Berkeley, Calif., Dec. 17, 2008. The anti-war activists held up shoes during an event billed as a Farewell Kiss Shoe-In.

Copycat

At a public hearing of NYC's Metropolitan Transit Authority on Wednesday, Stephen Millies, angry over a proposed fare hike and service cutback, challenged the MTA's CEO. "Mr. Sander, this is for you," he said, going for his shoe. Security tackled Millies and ushered him out. "What's the point of having one of these public hearings unless you can annoy some of these $300,000 bureaucrats?" Millies told WCBS.