The start of the march took on a carnival atmosphere with people carrying large banners, shouting loud slogans and beating drums. The heat and humidity pushed the temperature to almost 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius), the hottest day of the summer.

The festive atmosphere was a far cry from the sense of terror and impending chaos that government officials and the media had projected in previous days, and which had led many New Yorkers to flee town.

One policeman told rediff.com: "We were expecting it to be tense. But everyone's been just great."

Demonstrators from the Women For Peace movement march during the protest.

Photograph: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images