Thousands Expected for Anti-War Protest

WASHINGTON - Thousand of protesters are expected in the nation's capital to protest the seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

A coalition of anti-war groups, led by military veterans as well as activists Ralph Nader and Cindy Sheehan, are scheduled to hold a rally at noon Saturday in Lafayette Park near the White House, and march through downtown. Stops on the route include military contractor Halliburton, the Mortgage Bankers Association and The Washington Post offices.

The protest is expected to draw much smaller crowds than the many tens of thousands who marched in 2006 and 2007. But protest organizers say that momentum is building as peace protesters have become disenchanted with President Obama's decision to send more troops into Afghanistan.

Maneuvering through city streets will be difficult. A marathon is also scheduled for Saturday morning.