Opposition to war grows
International Gallup poll

International public opinion opposes a massive US military strike to 
retaliate for suicide attacks on America by hijacked aircraft, according to 
a Gallup poll in 31 countries whose results were released on Friday, 
September 21.

Only in Israel and the United States did a majority favour a military 
response. "Around 80 percent of Europeans and around 90 percent of South 
Americans favour extradition and a court verdict. By European comparison, 
calls for a tough military response were above average among the French (29 
percent) and the Dutch (28 percent)," said Swiss polling firm Isopublic, 
which conducted the survey in Switzerland.

Seventy-seven per cent of Israelis backed military action, while 54 per 
cent of Americans were in favour, it said.

American coalition "In defence of Freedom"

A broad range of groups that cut across ideological and religious lines has 
announced a campaign to block some of the Bush administration's anti-
terrorism measures that would expand police investigative powers.

From the American Civil Liberties Union to the Gun Owners of America, the 
150 groups formed a coalition called "In Defense of Freedom". They oppose 
some of Attorney General John Ashcroft's proposals, from expanded 
surveillance of personal records to greater powers to detain and deport 
immigrants.

The groups signed a statement saying that government "should resist the 
temptation to enact proposals in the mistaken belief that anything that may 
be called `anti-terrorist' will necessarily provide greater security."

Thousands rally for peace in German cities

Several thousand demonstrators took to the streets of Berlin and other 
German cities last weekend shouting "No Third World War" and urging the 
United States not to answer attacks on its cities with more violence. 
Smaller protests were held in Cologne, Bremen and Kassel.

"We are here because we are worried about the reaction of the United 
States. The attacks cannot be justified but we need to think about what the 
real causes were", said one demonstrator, carrying his daughter on his 
shoulders.

A protest by Afghanis and their supporters in Berlin waved banners reading 
"Please don't answer violence with violence" and "No bombs on Afghanistan".

Thousands at anti-war demo in London

About 3,000 protesters from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) 
stood "shoulder to shoulder" as they marched down Whitehall, mocking Prime 
Minister Tony Blair's description of Britain's political and military 
relationship with the US administration.

CND chair Carol Naughton said the organisation opposed any military strike, 
and warned Mr Blair and US President George Bush that they risked being 
seen as terrorists themselves if they used any violent action.

"It will only create a spiral of violence and it will create a huge 
uprising against the US and, possibly, Britain. I would not condone any act 
of terrorism, but any action should be done through the proper channels."