Boston University peace activists say more than 50 BU students will join thousands of activists flocking to Washington, D.C. this weekend to protest military action in Iraq.

BU anti-war organization Students Unite for Peace has arranged for three busloads of protesters for the nine-hour trek this weekend, according to the organization’s leaders.

SUP member Daniel O’Neil-Ortiz, the trip’s organizer, said interest in the rally developed quickly early this week, despite the few days between winter break and departure for Washington. He began spreading word of the bus trip Jan. 10.

‘This morning [Tuesday], we had 31 people going,’ said O’Neil-Ortiz, a University Professors program senior. ‘Now we have more than 100.’

In addition to the buses, O’Neil-Ortiz said many students are planning to drive to Washington independently.

‘Unfortunately, there are too many people, not enough seats,’ O’Neil-Ortiz said. ‘Hopefully we can arrange for vans or rides.’

Trip coordinators said the group increased the planned number of buses from two to three after receiving the large response, according to SUP coordinator Pam Mendelsohn, a UNI junior.

The buses will depart Boston at 12:30 a.m. Saturday with about 150 people, 35 of them BU students. The protesters will ride through the night to reach Washington in time for the 9 a.m. rally and march. O’Neil-Ortiz said the group will only stay in Washington for about nine hours.

The 27-hour whirlwind tour doesn’t provide luxurious accommodations or creature comforts, but BU activists said they are focused on the message they hope to send.

Though Mendelsohn said she doubts the demonstration will stop Bush from declaring war, she hopes to reach other Americans.

‘People who are in silent opposition, who maybe feel alone, can see how many people agree with them and may become active,’ Mendelsohn said.

Claire Enterline, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman who is planning on making the trip, said the protest is to show the government that Americans do not support war in Iraq.

‘There will be a lot of people there,’ Enterline said. ‘When [the government] sees that, they’ll see that they need to rethink what they’re doing. In the long term it’s going to make a big difference.’

O’Neil-Ortiz said he is optimistic about the effects of the rally.

‘I believe in the institution of the American government,’ O’Neil-Ortiz said. ‘If we act, [Bush] will listen. If we voice our opinions, he will listen.’

O’Neil-Ortiz, who has attended rallies before, said he has high expectations for this weekend.

‘Peace protests are great,’ O’Neil-Ortiz said. ‘100,000 people singing ‘Give Peace a Chance’ is something no one should die without experiencing.’