Anti-war activists say they will do everything they can to stop former U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton from speaking at an upcoming economic summit in Surrey.

Organizers of the Surrey Regional Economic Summit are coming under fire by the antiwar activists for inviting Bush and Clinton to speak at the event planned at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel on Oct. 20.

Both Bush and Clinton are scheduled to speak at the 4th annual economic summit.

The activists say the protest will officially start next week when Bush's vicepresident, Dick Cheney, speaks at the Vancouver Club as part of a tour to promote his new book.

Gail Davidson, a co-founder of Lawyers Against the War, said they want to pressure the summit's organizers to cancel the Bush speaking engagement.

Davidson said they hope to meet with Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and ask her to cancel Bush's trip because of his past record as president of the U.S. and being "a mass murderer" for his role in the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Calls to Watts office about the summit and the controversial speakers weren't returned.

Davidson said if Bush is allowed to speak they will have a protest march that "is planned on being peaceful."

Davidson said the group will also protest a speaking appearance by Cheney, who is on a book promotion tour and will speak at the Vancouver Club on Sept. 26.

"We are focusing on Bush and Cheney," said Davidson. "They are both war criminals and we are suggesting the duty of the police is to arrest Bush and Cheney when they come into Canada."

Surrey RCMP Corp. Drew Grainger said they will be ready for whatever protest comes their way.

"There will be a designated area for protesters to have their say," he said. "We will do the risk assessments and plan accordingly."

Norman Stowe, co-ordinator of the summit, said the Bush/Clinton show will not be cancelled because of threats. He said there will be about 500 people in attendance paying $599 a ticket.

"Both Clinton and Bush will be on stage together with a moderator. We have asked them to address the changing role of the U.S. economy," he said.