NEW YORK, February 15 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Demonstrators turned out in droves Saturday, February 15, for an anti-war protest in New York, the focal point of a national day of action marking the largest display so far of U.S. public opposition to a military strike on Iraq.

Organizers said they expected more than 100,000 people to take part in the New York event, part of a global series of protests being held in more than 350 cities around the world, including Bangkok, Cairo, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Moscow, Paris, Rome, San Francisco and Toronto.

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Hollywood stars Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover and Rosie Perez were among the speakers addressing the four-hour rally being held just a stone's throw away from United Nations headquarters.

"The government is not representing our concerns," Sarandon told reporters. "There are alternatives to war. Nothing has been proved so far that warrants an invasion of Iraq."

Sarandon also accused the administration of President George W. Bush of "hijacking" the national fears engendered by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Dropping bombs on Iraq is not the way to go about securing the safety of our country," she said.

Among the protesters were relatives of the victims of the September 11 attacks, who marched under the umbrella banner "9/11 Families for a Peaceful Tomorrow."

The organizers had originally intended to march along First Avenue in midtown Manhattan, past the doors of the landmark UN building itself, but were denied permission.

City officials said that, given the heightened anti-terror alert, they could not spare the police numbers necessary to ensure security at such a large-scale, mobile event.

The demonstration was expected to be the largest of a series of protests being held in a dozen US cities and organized by "United for Peace and Justice" -- a loose coalition of around 200 pacifist groups.

"It's an outrage that we aren't allowed to march past the UN," said Phyllis Bennis, a coalition spokeswoman.

"But look at the size of this crowd. We can protest by marching or standing still. In the end, we'll still be heard," she said.

Nearly 300 buses and four special trains helped ferry demonstrators into New York City from all over the northeastern United States.

Because of the marching ban, the demonstration was restricted to a narrow square just around the corner, with the massive overflow spilling northwards up First Avenue for more than 20 blocks.

Around 60 speakers and performers were scheduled to address the crowd from a stage set up at the nearest permitted point to the UN building.

Many of the protesters carried banners with anti-Bush and anti-war messages, like: "Stop the Madness of King George" and "Win without War."

Several held placards reading "Thank You France and Germany" - referring to those countries' opposition to a military conflict.

"We truly believe that war is the last choice and we should give the chance to the UN inspectors to do their job," said Cindy Zipf, 46, from New Jersey.

There was a heavy police presence following a New York Police Department warning that it would not tolerate any incidents that stepped outside the boundaries of a peaceful demonstration.

The United Nations compound and its environs are under some of the heaviest surveillance of any area in New York City -- especially given the current threat climate.

U.S. authorities raised the nationwide terrorist alert to its second-highest level last week.

Although the anti-war movement has grown in strength in recent months, polls still regularly show strong overall support in the United States for military action against Iraq.

According to a CBS News/New York Times opinion poll released Friday, three-quarters of Americans see war as inevitable, and two-thirds approve of it as an option.

However, 59 percent said they believed Bush should give UN weapons inspectors in Iraq more time, while 63 percent argued that Washington should not act without the support of its allies.

Rallies Across The Americas

Anti-war rallies broke out across the Americas

"The tragic loss of life, material devastation and enormous suffering that come with every war should be enough to make a pacifist of any sensible person," said the Folha editorial.