People of all ages and from all over the north-west met at Armidale on Saturday to voice their opposition to the possible war against Iraq – a theme mirrored by millions of others who took part in similar rallies across Australia and the world.

Protestors met at Armidale's Central Park at around 10am and then marched along Dangar, Moore, and Faulkner streets before finishing in front of the court house in Armidale mall to listen to the various speakers.

Rally organiser, Joan Lamont, said the crowd filled more than half of the mall.

"As the first marchers entered the mall, others were still just leaving the park – that's how many people there were," she said.

"The line of people, six abreast, stretched for more than six blocks.

"And the university students aren't even back from holidays yet."

Following the speeches, a concert was held in Central Park from 11.30am to 6pm, where people were entertained by local artists, and children took part in activities such as

face-painting.

Mrs Lamont said she understood the rally was the biggest held in Armidale in recent memory.

"I am told about 3000 rallied against the Vietnam War here in the 1960s," she said.

"I am just overwhelmed by the response, and hope our voices will be heard."

Susan McMichael, who took part in Saturday's march, said it was important to march against a unilateral war.

"Australia doesn't want to be involved in bombing women and children who are not involved in the conflict," she said.

"We need to bring our troops home and think about our foreign policy."

Thelma McCarthy, along with many other marchers, accused Prime Minister John Howard of "not listening".

"The Government needs to listen to people to qualify as a democracy," she said.

Fellow protester, Annette McCarthy, agreed.

"There's not a great deal of hope until democracy is what it should be," she said.

Ralph Catts said the only solution was a United Nation sanctioned peace.

"In my opinion, the UN is the only body which can resolve the complex problems we now face," he said.

Mr Catts was one of many protestors who claimed he could not understand why it was in Australia's interests to get involved in a war.

Armidale's Gwen Kelly said she was "absolutely opposed" to war.

"The UN was formed to stop this sort of thing happening," she said.

"We can't wage wars of aggression.

"I'm very disappointed with my government."

Martin Branagan, who attended the peace march in the company of two life-size caricatures of George Bush and John Howard, said the real issue was that of worldwide control over oil

supplies.

"We're being dragged into a war we don't want to be a part of," he said.

Fifteen-year-old Angus Baillie said war was "not the right thing to do".

"There are other ways of resolving the problem," he said.

"Lots of innocent people will die."

Pro-war voices could, however, still be heard.

"Everyone has the right to an opinion, and in my opinion we should attack Iraq," Armidale's Sam Powdrell said.

"Sadam has been terrorising the people long enough."

Mrs Lamont said she was inspired to make an anti-war stand about one month ago, and quickly rallied support.

"There were about 20 core helpers, and many others who joined in at a later stage, made banners, and did anything they could to help," Mrs Lamont said.

"I've never done anything like this before."

Mrs Lamont said she was "disappointed" in the leaders of the United States, England and Australia in taking a pro-war stance without the sanction of the United Nations.