BELFAST – A “speak out” event at which participants will register their views on withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq and investigating the Bush administration for unlawful conduct is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center.

Political activist Richard Stander of Stockton Springs said Thursday the state’s congressional delegation has been invited to the event, but will not attend since Congress is now in session.

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Reps. Mike Michaud and Tom Allen are expected to send representatives, he said.

The forum will be moderated by Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlop, Stander said.

Those attending will be asked to share their views on two questions:

. Should our troops be withdrawn from Iraq?

. Should Congress investigate the Bush administration for unlawful conduct?

Participants will have three minutes in which to express their views.

In addition to the congressional delegation, Gov. John Baldacci and state legislators have been invited to attend.

A similar event held last January in Belfast, attended by Michaud, drew about 150 participants.

A press release announcing the forum notes: “There is a national groundswell of dissatisfaction surrounding these matters. Many Americans feel that national leadership is turning a deaf ear to the public on these issues.”

Stander said under U.S. House of Representatives rules, if a state legislature adopts a resolution, for example, calling for withdrawal of U.S. troops, the U.S. House is obligated to discuss it. He said legislatures in Vermont and California are considering adopting such resolutions.

A petition drive seeking 10,000 signatures to urge the Maine Legislature to adopt resolutions on the troop withdrawal and investigating the Bush administration, is under way, Stander said.

A Web site, www.maineimpeach.org, has been created devoted to the latter cause.

The Hutchinson Center is on Route 3 just west of Route 1.

Co-sponsors of the event include: Island Peace and Justice; AFSC Maine; Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space; Maine People’s Alliance; Maine Veterans for Peace; Maine Progressive Caucus; Midcoast Peace and Justice; National Lawyers Guild (Maine Chapter); World Outlook of Norway, Maine; Pax Christi; Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine; Peace Action Maine; Peninsula Peace & Justice;, Resources for Organizing and Social Change; Waldo County Peace and Justice Group; Waterville Area Bridges for Peace and Justice; People’s Weekly World; Gaia Consulting and Sound Ecology.

For information about the event, contact Stander at 567-4075 or Dud Hendrick at 348-2511.