Chicago mass rally opposes Afghan war

More than 1,000 people marched Oct. 16 through downtown Chicago in a Midwest anti-war action marking the ninth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Some 50 international solidarity and social justice organizations staged the demonstration under the slogans, “End the wars and occupations now!” and “Money for human needs, not corporate greed!” Participants came from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota, as well as the Chicago area.

Oct. 16 anti-war march in Chicago. Photo: Chicago Indymedia

Protestors assailed the Obama administration for escalating the war in Afghanistan and killing civilians in Pakistan; for the continuing occupation of Iraq with troops and “contractors;” for the continued U.S.-Israeli occupation of Palestine and siege of Gaza; for the U.S.-backed 2009 coup against the elected president of Honduras; and for heightened attacks on civil liberties and free speech in the U.S.

The march bristled with signs in support of the 14 activists in Chicago, Minnesota and Michigan who were hit on Sept. 24 by grand jury subpoenas and FBI-led raids on their homes. March organizers declared their defense to be a focus of the action, welcomed three of them as speakers at the opening rally including Mick Kelly and Stephanie Weiner, and raised funds for their legal defense.

Participants also demanded that the war budget be redirected to meet the crises of unemployment, foreclosures, evictions and public education.