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It will be the latest and biggest in a series of protests that have been spontaneously emerging across the nation over the past few weeks. The Institute for Policy Studies, a liberal Washington think-tank that compiles a list of anti-war events planned throughout the country over the next two weeks, says it can barely keep up. The vote in Congress authorizing Bush to attack Iraq may have been the tipping point for an anti-war movement that has been steadily gaining momentum with each passing week. The only real option left for people in terms of stopping the war is to take to the streets," says Global Exchange peace coordinator Kristi Laughlin. The International ANSWER Coalition, a 24 broad-based alliance of activist groups organizing the protest, says it is "confidently expecting" up to a hundred thousand people to show up and be counted. With help from local groups, ANSWER is 25 organizing 250 buses to transport people from around the country to Washington and San Francisco. A demonstration that large should serve as a richly deserved wake-up call to the Bush administration and the Democrats who scurried to join the war effort. Some recent articles, for example, have raised questions about the participation of fringe groups in organizing these demonstrations. But as many point out, what matters is not the presence of a few radical groups but the remarkable diversity of the participants from all walks of life and every political stripe, both seasoned activists and first-time marchers - veterans, concerned parents, religious leaders, people of color, teenagers and women. The escalating anti-war movement is well aware that Bush's new war will make the world a more dangerous place. Some of the demonstrators may have differing political beliefs, but they are united in their conviction that war with Iraq is not the answer and dissent is democratic. If you, your family, friends and colleagues share this conviction, please join the demonstrators and march for peace this Saturday. Also in 32 War on Iraq 33 Rumsfeld's Police Secret By David Corn By Kristin V. Jones Apr 28, 2004 Read other stories by 34 Editorial Staff Email Send this story to a friend. From: To: Optional Message: Send Support AlterNet Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a 35 tax-deductible donation.
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