Iraq war would spark global demonstrations, civil disobedience

The start of war in Iraq would trigger instant protest rallies and a campaign of civil disobedience around the world by a burgeoning peace movement determined to outdo its Vietnam-era counterparts.

Anti-war groups say activists in every continent are poised to down tools, organise sit-ins, picket government offices, chant outside US embassies, block military sites and rush to public squares the minute the first bomb is dropped.

After an initial free-for-all of spontaneous protests, they will coordinate a series of escalating demonstrations in major capitals and encourage acts of civil disobedience.

"More than 6,000 people have already signed up and committed themselves to show civil disobedience when the war breaks out," said Manfred Stenner, of German anti-war group Resist. "We want to send a strong signal. We want to show that we are willing to face personal and legal consequences for our actions."

While the protests will be global, they are sure to be more militant and massive in the West than in the Arab world where nervous authorities keep a tighter rein on protesters.

Although they have tolerated some of late, Arab governments generally discourage demonstrations for fear protesters may turn on the authorities, according to Hala Mustafa, editor of al-Ahram Political Quarterly Democracy Review in Egypt.

"They don't want some elements to take advantage of such protests to cause riots or express anti-government sentiments."

Global numbers will hinge on the outcome of the diplomatic showdown at the United Nations: an Anglo-American attack without international approval is likely to spark vast protests, while UN endorsement would mute public outrage.

In the West, today's anti-war activists see themselves as the creators of a movement potentially bigger and socially wider than those against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and against US deployment of Cruise missiles in Europe during the 1980s.

"It's much bigger than the (British anti-nuclear) CND movement, it's much bigger than Vietnam," said Andrew Burgin, of Britain's increasingly influential Stop the War coalition.