Meanwhile, protests are intensifying around the globe. Over 50 people were arrested in Washington, D.C. yesterday, and dozens more were arrested at the United Nations in New York City and in San Francisco.

In Australia, one man in the public gallery of Parliament screamed “murderer!” as Prime Minister John Howard, announced his decision to commit 2,000 troops to an invasion of Iraq. He was dragged from the chamber by security guards. Activists painted a ten-foot high “no war” sign across the top of part of Sydney’s Opera House.

In Tokyo, just hours after Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi backed the Bush administration, peace activists began a hunger strike outside the US embassy.

In Britain, the Stop the War Coalition is calling for people to stage walkouts, and occupy city centers and hold sit-ins at schools, colleges and universities. On the day of the first attack, protesters will occupy Parliament Square with the intention of bringing the government to a halt.

• Mike Marqusee, organizer with Stop the War Coalition, speaking to us from London.
• Mairead McGuire, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate from Northern Ireland.
• Beth Rosedatter, arrested on Sunday at an Army depot near Richmond, Kentucky. She and two others were held overnight.