IF OSAMA bin Laden’s name has acquired notoriety with Sep.11, then activists gathered here are determined to link another man with another date. The chosen candidate is U.S. President George W Bush, and the date, Mar. 20.

This gift of sorts to the world’s most powerful man from a broad spectrum of the world’s citizens is hardly shrouded in mystery. For it was on this day last year that the Bush ordered U.S-led troops to invade Iraq.

And after three days of high octane political debate and demonstrations, it appears that the World Social Forum (WSF) has evolved into a dress rehearsal of the anti-Bush and anti-war energy that is set to burst on the streets of the world’s towns and cities in eight weeks.

It is an anniversary that cannot be ignored, said speaker after speaker during discussions since Saturday on war, imperialism and occupation. The banners with striking messages against Washington’s military ambitions added to this mood of protest gathering momentum.

Typical of these new foot soldiers on a mission to wage peace is Gulbadan Azam, a 42-year-old female activist from Pakistan. For two days, she joined other members of Aurat Foundation, a group that lobby’s for women’s rights, to convey a silent, yet stark message to the throngs of people milling through the WSF’s venue.

Azam stood on the sidelines of the many marches, at times walking with the crowds, caring a large poster with a six-word message printed in bold text: "When Bush Comes to Shove – Resist!."

"The planned demonstrations on March 20 are very important for peace. We have to challenge the U.S. agenda in as many ways, through dance, art and powerful protests,’’ said Azam, a mother of two.

It is a cause that excites a European politician, too. "I will be out there demonstrating in Paris, because we don’t accept the way Bush is acting," said Daneille Auroi, a member of the Green Party in the European parliament. "His actions reveal that he hates the South."

A South African activist who took a lead role in the anti-war demonstrations in his country last year, has already set his sights on a larger outpouring of protests when the global citizenry mark the international day that people are increasingly choosing to protest against war and occupation.

"We need to go beyond our efforts last year to oppose the imperial designs of George Bush," said Trevor Ngwane, of the South African Antiprivatisation Forum. "Trade unions in arms producing companies have to increase their pressure, too, by refusing to help in the war effort."

This storm of protest is a welcome development in the political atmosphere for U.S. activists at the WSF. Not only can they identify with the rage against the Bush administration seen displayed here, but they recognize it as a show of strength to boost their anti-war sentiments at home.

"I have never experienced anything this big and I think it is good for those of us struggling for the peace, justice and social agenda," said Joseph Gerson, of United for Justice with Peace, a movement that has been in the vanguard of the U.S. anti-war movement.

"I am not surprised by the anti-Bush sentiments here," he added. "If anything, people have been very kind to Bush."

"But these people are our allies," he affirmed. "And the plans underway for March 20 will add to the pressure Bush is under since Iraq was invaded. What we are seeing now in Iraq is the White House being forced to manipulate reality."

For Gerson, it confirms that the huge anti-war rallies held in the United States and across the world before the Iraqi invasion drove home a significant political message – the legitimate right to criticize Bush and expose the illegitimate nature of the U.S.-led conquest.

"You cannot let this first anniversary of the war go unmarked," he said. "It will demonstrate that there is a moral and political force opposed to the government."