WASHINGTON, April 6 (IslamOnline.net) - With gory scenes of innocent civilians killed or injured by the increasing U.S.-led aggression against Iraq now in its second week, Americans also stepped up their efforts to show a flat rejection to the war.

"Let it not be said that people in the United States did nothing when their government declared a war without limit and instituted stark new measures of repression," read an anti-war petition signed by 56,000 people here and published in more than 50 world papers on Sunday, April 6.

"We believe that peoples and nations have the right to determine their own destiny, free from military coercion by great powers. We believe that all persons detained or prosecuted by the United States government should have the same rights of due process. We believe that questioning, criticism, and dissent must be valued and protected. We understand that such rights and values are always contested and must be fought for."

The statement called on "people of conscience" to take responsibility for what their governments do and resist the war against Iraq.

"We must first of all oppose the injustice that is done in our own name. Thus we call on all Americans to RESIST the war and repression that has been loosed on the world by the Bush administration."

It is unjust, immoral, and illegitimate. We choose to make common cause with the people of the world.

The statement said that there are thousands of innocent dead in Iraq and "shook our heads at the terrible scenes of carnage -- even as we recalled similar scenes in Baghdad, Panama City, and, a generation ago, Vietnam."

"We too joined the anguished questioning of millions of Americans who asked why such a thing could happen."

"In our name, within the U.S., the government has created two classes of people: those to whom the basic rights of the U.S. legal system are at least promised, and those who now seem to have no rights at all," said the statement.

"The government rounded up over 1,000 immigrants and detained them in secret and indefinitely. Hundreds have been deported and hundreds of others still languish today in prison."

The statement lashed out at U.S. President George W. Bush for his inflammatory statements.

"President Bush has declared: “you’re either with us or against us.” Here is our answer: We refuse to allow you to speak for all the American people. We will not give up our right to question. We will not hand over our consciences in return for a hollow promise of safety."

"We refuse to be party to these wars and we repudiate any inference that they are being waged in our name or for our welfare. We extend a hand to those around the world suffering from these policies; we will show our solidarity in word and deed."