Via the internet, conscientious objectors can discreetly use websites to vent their anger at US foreign policy and organise demonstrations with like-minded citizens.

Even during the Gulf War, the internet was used only by military personnel, academics and computer specialists. It took five more years for the internet — originally designed as a US military communications network — to evolve into a mainstream medium.

Now protesters are logging on to sites such as votenowar.org to declare that “Congress did not represent me when it voted to authorise George W. Bush to carry out an illegal war against Iraq”. A PR campaign will reveal the final tally.

The huge turnout at recent anti-war events on the West and East coasts has been largely the result of websites such as internationalanswer.org, which mobilise protesters by sending out mass e-mails giving details of future marches.

It even has spin-offs, such as answerla.org, which serves Los Angeles. Protesters there can go to the site to buy a $40 (£25) bus ticket to San Francisco for a march on Saturday.

The net is a safer way to show solidarity, but also allows anti-war protesters to use the democratic system to its full advantage. One site, moveon.org, features a pre-written protest letter that citizens can print out, sign, and send to their local Representative.

The site also features quotes from people such as Henry Kissinger, the former Secretary of State, who said: “Justified pre-emption runs counter to international law, which sanctions the use of force in self-defence only against actual — not potential — threats.”

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Indian Army spends10m rupees on golf buggies
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating