Americans opposed to waging war in Iraq streamed into Washington today for mass protests demanding the White House back down and give UN weapons inspectors a chance.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to demonstrate in Washington and San Francisco, representing what organisers said would be the largest showing of US anti-war sentiment since President George W. Bush started making his case for attacking Baghdad last year.
Several thousand anti-war protesters, braving the cold, clear weather and carrying placards reading "Peace is Patriotic" and "Abhor War," began gathering early on the National Mall in the centre of Washington.
A counter-demonstration of war veterans, billed as a "Patriot's Rally" in support of US troops, also began assembling near the Vietnam War memorial on the Mall.
The rally will feature speakers including actress Jessica Lange, Vietnam War veteran and Born on the Fourth of Julyauthor Ron Kovic, and civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
In San Francisco, actor and activist Martin Sheen is expected to address the demonstration outside City Hall, which organisers say could draw about 50,000 people.
Though US opinion polls have shown broad support for ousting Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, a Pew Research Center survey published this week showed that for many, that support would require proof of a threat from Iraq.
Two thirds in the Pew poll, conducted in January, said they favour military action but only under certain circumstances. More than half said Bush had not fully justified the need for attacking Iraq.