SAN FRANCISCO -- Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

Seven years ago President Bush said the U.S.-led invasion began with what he called "shock and awe".

More than 4,000 American forces have since died and 95,000 military personnel remain in Iraq while that nation struggles to establish a democracy.

President Obama has pledged that all U.S. combat troops will be out of Iraq by the end of this summer.

Many Americans say the country is more secure because of the military action.

That view is not shared by groups preparing for an anti-war demonstration Saturday at San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza.

Organizers from the Answer Coalition group said the rally will include labor unions fighting for jobs and students fighting for education.

"A lot of the organizers in the student movement are making the connection between the lack of funds for schools and the immense amount of money that go to funding these wars, said Answer Coalition spokesman Chris Banks "There's a new layer of people going into motion."

Saturday's rally and march was scheduled to start at 11 a.m.