As the prospect of war in Iraq grows more and more feasible, a number of Americans are attempting to send a message to the United States government: Peace not War.

Thousands of anti-war protesters, including a contingent from Mercer County, flocked to Pittsburgh on Super Bowl Sunday to let their voices be heard.

Young and old, black and white, Christian and Muslim and everyone in between from around the region braved unbearably cold weather to stand against military intervention.

In the midst of steady snowfall, pet owners walked dogs wearing signs like "pooches for peace." Other peace signs carried messages like "Draft beer, not war" and "You can't shake hands with a clenched fist."

Pittsburgh police estimated about 3,000 people at the rally, though organizers said the numbers were around 5,000. Organizers ranked the turnout among Pittsburgh's largest protests, even when compared to the civil rights marches and Vietnam protests in the 1960s and 1970.

Protesters marched along Fifth and Forbes avenues in the city's Oakland section, chanting anti-war messages and calling for freedom and democracy. The rally, sponsored by the Thomas Merton Center, Pittsburgh, garnered support from college students, civil rights organizations, religious groups, veterans' groups, retired tradesmen and steelworkers.

Barbara "Babs" Quincy, Westminster College counselor, was one of many who drove the distance to be there. She said a large anti-war movement is growing, not only on campuses but in the religious sector as well.

The protest in the Steel City was the first one close enough to attend, she said. What most bothers her is the Bush administration's reluctance to listen to the voice of the American public, she said. It almost appears as if no matter what happens, Bush has his heart set on war, she said.

"War is such an uncivilized way of handling disagreements. It's so primal. We try to teach our children not to be violent and then you turn around and we're violent. It's a double standard."

Ms. Quincy, 55, joined four friends who also feel strongly about the movement. Among them was Mercer County Controller Tom Amundsen, 46, and Hermitage residents Ruth Booth, 69, Dorothy Bieber, 73, and Pat Woodings, 68, all of which are charter members of the League of Women Voters of Mercer County.

After living through World War II, the Korean Conflict, the undecided Vietnam War and Desert Storm Ms. Bieber said she is completely against a new war.

"Nothing has seemed to have gotten better. Maybe we should spend billions toward peace in the world and not war in the world," she said.

Ms. Woodings agreed. "I have to oppose a war in Iraq. Starting war isn't a way to make peace," she said.

Many across the country are stepping forward to speak out against war. A week ago, about 30,000 protesters rallied in Washington, D.C. And though many are stepping out, some local veterans wish they would step back in.

Bruce Kidd, Sharon, a disabled Vietnam veteran, said he disagrees with any anti-war protesters and feels American citizens should back their government in a time of war.

"These anti-war demonstrators don't understand the complexities of why we go where we go. They make our country look separated like we're not behind our commander in chief," Kidd said.

He and other members of the Disabled Veterans of America, Chapter 55, Sharon, expressed the same feelings last week.

Larry Hoffman, financial director of the group and a 25-year military veteran, said being a part of the military is something you never lose.

"Saddam Hussein had more than 11 years to solve the problem himself. I don't want to see us lose anymore people, but if we don't do something now, how many more will we lose? How much time do you want to give before he kills the rest of us. That's what he has in mind."

Ms. Quincy said it bothers her that protesting is seen as something radical.

"I'm a person who feels that war and violence just perpetuate war and violence," she said. "There are other ways to reach agreements to get what we want."

Amundsen concurred, adding that war opposition doesn't mean he's anti-American.

"Just because we're opposed to the war doesn't mean we're not patriots. I love the ideals of this country," he said.

And despite what others thought, they stood together at the rally with strangers who felt the same way. The crowd sang a rendition of "This Land Is Your Land," before State Sen. Jim Ferlo approached the podium.

"We stand in unity today to tell George W. Bush: 'Not In Our Name,' " Ferlo yelled to demonstrators.

"Bush says you're either with him or against him. Well George, we stand here today against you," he said to an eruption of cheers.

The anti-war protesters began gathering at 1 p.m. for the rally. Police said they weren't planning to make arrests since the protest was winding down and appeared to be peaceful.

Nevertheless, about 100 protesters girded themselves for a "die in" arrest, which was to represent the unnecessary deaths that would result if America went to war.

The protesters lay in the middle of Fifth Avenue outside the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center operated by Carnegie Mellon University and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, according to the institute's Web site. By 5 p.m. most of the hard core participants had left the streets.