Across the country, anti-war activists have been staging what they call “pre-emptive” protests against war in Iraq by staging sit-ins and demonstrations at Congressional offices.

In Minnesota, a group of citizens have been staging sit-ins since Tuesday afternoon at Senators Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton’s local offices. The protesters hope to continue the sit-ins until each Senator commits to voting against a war resolution.

With us now is anti-war activist Marie Braun who is on the phone with us from Senator Wellstone’s office where she has been conducting a sit-in since Tuesday.

And in Seattle on Tuesday, 12 people were arrested for refusing to leave the local offices of U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.

The protesters were demanding the senators take a public position denouncing the war.

We go now to Seattle to speak with Jeff Gustafson, a 31-year-old Army veteran who was among those arrested Tuesday.

Yesterday in Philadelphia four women protested the discussion of a war against Iraq by having their head shaved in front of the Liberty Bell on Thursday. They said it was a symbolic gesture that showed they renounced a culture of violence.

Protest organizer Kaki Sjogren had a third of her long, curly brown hair shaved. She said she plans to have another third shaved if Congress approves war against Iraq and would have the rest of her hair shaved if a military campaign against Iraq actually begins.

Later today in Colorado, anti-war protesters plan to protest President Bush visit to Denver. The Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace, the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center and other local groups plan to urge Bush to follow international law and to use diplomatic channels for resolving issues with Iraq. The groups will also propose alternative uses for the $100-200 billion that a war would cost.

On Saturday, London is preparing for what may be England’s largest anti-war protest ever. The Guardian is reporting upwards of 100,000 and possibly as many as 300,000 plan to take to the city’s streets to oppose a war in Iraq. Speakers include London Mayor Ken Livingston, author Tony Benn, former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, journalist John Pilger, MP George Galloway and the Bishops of Bath and Wells.

And finally on Sunday, as we reported on yesterday’s show, anti-war activists will gather in Washington D.C. and march to the residence of Vice President Dick Cheney. The protest will begin at 2 p.m. in Dupont Circle.

Guests:

• Marie Braun, activist who has taken part in a sit-in since Tuesday in Sen. Paul Wellstone’s office.
• Jeff Gustafson, 31-year-old Army veteran from Seattle. He was arrested on Tuesday at a sit-in in Seattle.
• Andrew Burgin, Stop the War Coalition in London.