Thousands of people have taken to the streets of US cities for a second day of protests against the war in Iraq.

Rallies were held in New York, San Francisco, Portland and in other cities ahead of Tuesday's fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis have died as well as some 3,200 US troops.

Organisers said thousands marched through Manhattan calling for troops to come home and for President George W Bush to be impeached.

Amid near-freezing temperatures, the New York protesters carried placards reading "Drop Bush, Not Bombs" and "Four Years Too Long".

'Occupation must end'

Actor Tim Robbins said the protest was not "a strange, lefty movement".

"American people want this war to end, so when are we going to start listening to them?" he said.