Mainers plan anti-war demonstrations

PORTLAND – Mainers opposed to a looming war against Iraq plan more demonstrations this weekend, both in Washington, D.C., and at home.

“A lot of people are choosing to stay here and demonstrate in their hometowns,” said Gretchen Hull, who has coordinated a group called “Bridges of Peace.”

Hull, whose group has been holding peace vigils on bridges every Sunday, said the point is to let people know that many of their neighbors oppose a war.

“It tells people in Washington that it’s not just the people who have the money and the time to go down on a bus and demonstrate on the National Mall, but it’s normal people in their own towns,” she said.

Protesters plan to take part in an “emergency mobilization against war” this Saturday in Washington, marking the third time this year that Mainers will travel outside the state to protest against war.

In Bangor, a peace rally sponsored by the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building on Harlow Street. The rally will be followed by a march through downtown Bangor to the Discovery Museum and will culminate with an open mike speak-out back at the Federal Building. Call 942-9343 for more information.

That same day, demonstrations also are planned in downtown Portland and Lewiston-Auburn.