The nation-wide anti-war demonstrations that took place during the Vietnam War are often cited as an example of how protests can influence the decisions made by the government concerning wars. During the mid 1960’s numerous protest marches and demonstrations were observed with the largest protests being a 1965 march through New York City, and a large gathering on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Anti-war gatherings have been taking place recently in response to a possible war with Iraq, though smaller in size and number from the Vietnam War protests, from San Francisco to Washington. The largest round of protests to date was Jan. 18 and took place in London, Paris, Florence, Italy, Oslo, Tokyo, Hong Kong. The weekend protests took place nationally in almost every major US city, with the largest being in Washington, D.C. where an estimated 200,000-500,000 people attended. 16 people were arrested during the same gathering when they jumped the fence that surrounds the White House.

Commercials, a recent addition to the anti-war movement, and funded by various anti-war groups have featured famous individuals such as actresses Susan Sarandon and Janeane Garofalo, and on a recent ad produced by the National Council of Churches, Bishop Melvin Talbert claims that an attack on Iraq "violates God's law". Bishop Talbert is a leader in President George Bush’s Methodist Denominational church.