Thousands of protesters in Chicago’s Loop on Wednesday night marked five years of war in Iraq.

The evening began with a rally in Federal Plaza.

RALLY: Blacks, Latinos, Arabs, Asians and whites. No racist war, no more, no more, defend our civil rights!

Speakers quoted former World Bank vice president Joseph Stiglitz. He estimates that the war in Iraq will cost the U.S. economy $3 trillion.

At one point eight young veterans took the stage. Former U.S. Army reservist James Redden of Oak Park served in Iraq.

REDDEN: We believe that the military is overextended right now and that this war, this occupation, is really hurting the military. We want to defend our country. But we just believe that Iraq and Afghanistan have nothing to do with that.

The rally ended with a march up Michigan Avenue.

MARCH: Troops home now!

Earlier in the day, a group convened at Soldier Field to show a different type of support for U.S. troops in Iraq. Alderman James Balcer announced plans to push for a city memorial for soldiers fighting terrorism.