AUGUSTA, Maine -- Organizers of an anti-war protest at the Maine capitol complex Saturday said their effort to bring together various opponents of military action against Iraq demonstrated by itself the possibilities of negotiation.

''These people had differences,'' said Greg Field, executive director of Peace Action Maine, gesturing toward a rain-drenched crowd variously estimated to include 1,000 to 3,000 people.

Protesters march in the rain, in protest of a possible war with Iraq, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002, in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Signs bobbing above umbrellas carried a broad array of messages, ranging from ''Diplomacy not War'' to ''War is Terrorism.''

Some marchers departed soon after reaching the capitol without staying for the rally, making estimates of the number of participants highly uncertain.

Field said a unifying theme was the desirability of nations agreeing to ''work through the U.N.'' and that protesters shared a belief that unilateral military action was unwarranted.

''A pre-emptive strike is wrong,'' he said. ''There is not an imminent threat.''

After marching to the State House from a nearby school, demonstrators gathered near a statue of Samantha Smith, the Maine schoolgirl who was internationally known for her advocacy of peace.

Joining intermittently in songs performed by a string of musicians, protesters applauded anti-war speeches.

''I think the overarching issue is the war,'' said Veterans for Peace activist Dud Hendrick, adding that an additional concern of demonstrators was ''the endless war on terrorism.''

The Augusta rally coincided with similar gatherings elsewhere in the state, around the nation and overseas.

Organizers were exultant at the size of the crowd and Field said he was sure the turnout had been held down by the inclement weather because some planning to attend had notified others they had changed their minds.

©2002 The Associated Press

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