Thousands expected to flood Senators offices in a Virtual March against war

By Rhiannon Varmette

WASHINGTON--Millions of people around the world have rallied in cities, citizens have held peace vigils in towns across the United States--and next Wednesday, people will protest war with Iraq from their home phones and fax machines in a "virtual march" on Washington.

During the march, people will call or fax senators' offices from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., stating their opposition to U.S. military action in Iraq. The calls could come into the offices as often as one per minute.

The march was organized by Win Without War, a coalition of groups against war with Iraq.

Tom Andrews - a former Maine Democratic congressman and the national director of Win Without War - said that the virtual march will give more people a chance to stand up and be counted.

"We're hopeful because so many people are opposed to this unnecessary invasion," Andrews said. "I think the citizens of this country are well ahead of the politicians on this issue. If there was ever an issue for Washington to listen to America, it's this issue."

Andrews said that if this kind of response on an issue had poured into his office during his time in Congress, he would have paid attention.

"It would give me an idea of not only the numbers of people in my state who care about this, but it would also indicate to me how deeply they feel," he said.

Andrews said that those who oppose war against Iraq come from so many demographic groups that members of Congress who won their last elections by less than 10 percent cannot risk ignoring the diverse group of constituents who opposed this war.

"Last weekend we marched in the streets, next week we're taking to the suites of official Washington," Andrews said in a press release. "We will let our fingers do the walking and demand that our voices be heard."

People who want to participate in the March can register at www.moveon.org.

Last week, Win Without War released a TV ad featuring West Wing star Martin Sheen encouraging Americans to participate in the virtual march.

Andrews said he was not sure how many people would register by next Wednesday, but a spokesperson said late Thursday that 34,000 people had already registered.

Win Without War was formed last month, shortly after the anti-war rally here. The group is a coalition of more than 30 organizations that oppose war against Iraq.

Some of the coalition members are Moveon.org, the Sierra Club, the National Organization for Women and the National Council of Churches.

Megan Sowards, a spokeswoman for Senator Susan Collins, said the office would be ready to take the constituents' calls on Wednesday.

"The senator is always willing to listen to what her constituents have to say," Sowards said. "But in the end she makes the decision that she feels is best for Maine and best for the country."

Both Collins and Senator Olympia Snowe supported a resolution last fall to allow President Bush to use military action against Iraq.

Published in The Bangor Daily News, in Maine.