Anti-war protesters prepare for weekend rallies across the United States, in the latest show of force by a movement that has gathered impressive momentum against a war that has yet to begin.Demonstrations are set for Washington and San Francisco, as well as smaller US cities.
"It's absolutely critical, maybe the most critical moment to prevent the war," said Mr Chuck Kauffman, one of the anti-war movement's organisers at Act Now To Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER).
ANSWER backed previous US protests - something almost unprecedented for a war that has not yet begun.
The group started in the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the US, and has assembled a broad coalition against racism, anti-semitism and fundamentalism in all its forms.
Mr Kauffman said the protests would be large but refused to estimate the crowd size. Previous marches drew hundreds of thousands of people. "Very significant sections of the American population have very significant questions regarding this war," he said.
In a leaflet, which calls on protesters to descend on the White House, the ANSWER organisers ask why President Bush has such a fixation on Iraq.
"Aren't there other regimes that traffic in or have dangerous weapons and oppress their own people?" it asked.
Another group, United for Peace and Justice, also plans to join Saturday's march. It is a coalition of 70 mainstream groups.
"While war is imminent we cannot rest," the group's statement said. "We call upon the American people to take non-violent direct action to stop this war.Congress has the constitutional power to stop this war and has been silent. We demand that Congress represent the will of the people."
Saturday's rally promises a diverse collection of groups, from the Catholic pacifists of Pax Christi to A Jewish Voice for Peace and the Shalom Center.
Six out of 10 of those surveyed in the US support a war on Iraq but polls also show mounting concerns about the possible repercussions of war - both on national security and the economy. - (AFP)