Saba Khan knows she has much to learn about the world.
But the Naperville North High School sophomore says she's certain about one thing: War is not the only way to achieve peace.
"We are spreading hate disguised as peace," she said. "The killing of men, women and children will never justify the killing of other men, women and children."
The teen was among roughly 300 children, students and adults who gathered Saturday for a peace rally at the DuPage County government complex in Wheaton. The group also marched along County Farm and Roosevelt roads to encourage others to speak out against a possible war with Iraq.
Several passing motorists signaled their support with a chorus of car horns.
"War is not the solution," said Kamran Rasheeduddin, 18, a Roselle Muslim with relatives here and in India. "Too many innocent lives are lost that way."
Nancy Manzie of Naperville, who speaks with pride of her son in the Marines, wanted to be sure different types of voices also were heard.
"I'm a patriot," Manzie said. "I wholeheartedly support him. I just don't want to see them make a move that's not necessary.
"I think there are other answers. We're better than this."
The DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition coordinated the gathering with hopes it would spur people to sign a petition against war, to write or e-mail their congressmen or possibly to participate in civil disobedience. The group has plans for more demonstrations Thursday morning at the Geneva and Elgin train stations.
"We need to tell Congress that they need to wait and explore other ways than war. We don't have to be in a hurry," said Sally Sommers of Villa Park. A grandmother of several, she added, "I have a large family. I want the world to be a peaceful place for them."
The coalition is demonstrating because members believe President Bush is being too quick to consider an attack on Iraq. The demonstrations come as the administration tries to persuade both Congress and the United Nations to approve the use of military force against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's regime.
The president has argued Hussein and his arsenal pose a threat to world safety. Opponents, however, are pushing for additional weapons inspections and a more restrained approach in the already volatile region.
"The real threat we have today is the number of people who are unemployed," said Tom Cordaro of Naperville. "Corporate corruption ... that is the real threat.
"I'm not worried about the axis of evil. I am worried about the evil of access to the White House ... the special interest ... military contractors ... corporate media."
Jim Weaver of St. Charles carried a Peace is Patriotic sign on behalf of his grandchildren. He doesn't want to see his 1-year-old grandson stationed in Iraq in 20 years.
"If he (Hussein) does have weapons of mass destruction, I don't want to give him a reason to use them," Weaver said. "We don't need any more martyrs."
Like some demonstrators, Weaver remembers the Vietnam protests of the 1960s and 1970s.
"Protesting violence has been part of my religion and my philosophy," said Weaver, who protested military involvement in Vietnam. "Violence begets violence."