As the United States prepares for possible war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, local citizen groups will gather Monday to discuss peace.

Community Action, the Albert Lea Human Rights Commission and Peace and Justice Committee will sponsor the event, which is taking place at Christ Episcopal Church in Albert Lea at noon.

Grace Christian Church Pastor the Rev. George Marin will deliver a keynote speech and a short music program, followed by the discussion.

The organizers emphasize that the event is not aiming to shoot down the war attempt. Rather, they want it to be a forum to figure out what the community can do in this critical time for the nation to determine whether it will go into another war.

&uot;We want people both for and against the war in the discussion,&uot; Linda Lares of Community Action said. &uot;There should be any opinion concerning the decision our nation’s leaders would undertake.&uot;