Huge protests expected in D.C., S.F
By Monica Moorehead
As the Bush administration and the Pentagon continue their
massive military build-up in the Gulf region in preparation for
a war against Iraq, anti-war forces in the U.S. are
intensifying their organizing efforts for national marches and
rallies in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco on Jan. 18.
Tens of thousands of GIs, women and men, are being forced to
leave their loved ones to fight and possibly die or be wounded
in a war for Big Oil profits. Anti-war forces say this is
intolerable and will be taking to the streets to demand "Money
for jobs and human needs, not to kill the Iraqi people."
The demonstrations could not have come at a more crucial
time. Just nine days later, on Jan. 27, United Nations
inspectors are scheduled to present their final report to the
UN Security Council on whether they have found any "weapons of
mass destruction" in Iraq. The day after that, President George
W. Bush will give his State of the Union address, which may be
an announcement of U.S. military intentions or actions.
So far the inspectors say that their efforts, which began in
early October, have not unearthed any substantial proof of
chemical, nuclear or biological weapons. However, the U.S. and
Britain continue to accuse the Saddam Hussein government of
harboring and developing such weapons.
The lack of evidence has not stopped the U.S. from
mobilizing the largest deployment of troops and weaponry since
the first Gulf War in 1991. An estimated 100,000 U.S. troops,
along with the most technologically sophisticated aircraft
carriers, airplanes, armored tanks and artillery numbered in
the thousands, are in the area or making their way towards
Iraq.
The world sees this as proof that the Bush administration
has been hell bent to illegally overthrow the Iraqi government
at all cost, and that the inspections have just been a
smokescreen.
The International Act Now to Stop War and End Racism
(ANSWER) coalition made the call for the Jan. 18 mobilization
following anti-war demonstrations on Oct. 26 that brought out
200,000 people in Washington and 100,000 in San Francisco.
January 18 coincides with the holiday weekend commemorating the
birthday of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.
Just a year before his assassination in 1968, Dr. King had
made several impassioned speeches calling for the U.S. military
to withdraw from the genocidal war in Vietnam. King made the
connections between the growing poverty at home and the U.S.
war abroad.
Growing poverty as billions go for war
King's words ring as true today as they did then. While the
U.S. economy continues to deteriorate, the warmongers in the
White House and Pentagon will be spending tens of billions of
dollars for war.
All polls indicate that at least two-thirds of the U.S.
population do not want a war with Iraq and view the loss of job
security, mass layoffs, health benefits and other human needs
as main priorities. These sentiments are being ignored and
downplayed by the Bush regime, whose number one concern is to
capture the Iraqi oil fields and deepen U.S. geopolitical
hegemony in this strategic region.
In this political context, the Jan. 18 action has drawn
support from a broad array of progressive forces. The opening
rally at the Capitol will feature speeches by Congresswoman
Cynthia McKinney; actors Jessica Lang and Mike Farrell; former
U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark; Elizabeth McAlister of
Jonah House and partner of the late Philip Berrigan; Brenda
Stokely, president of District Council 1707 AFSCME; Bill
Fletcher, co-chair of United for Peace; Peta Lindsay, a Howard
University student and ANSWER youth and student coordinator;
Rev. Herbert Daughtry of the House of the Lord church in
Brooklyn; and Ron Kovic, Vietnam veteran and author of "Born on
the Fourth of July." A taped message from political prisoner
Mumia Abu-Jamal will also be played.
Representatives of the organizations that make up the ANSWER
steering committee--such as Bayan, Free Palestine Alliance,
Mexico Solidarity Network, Korea Truth Commission, Nicaragua
Network, Partnership for Civil Justice, Muslim Students
Association of the U.S. & Canada, IFCO/Pastors for Peace
and International Action Center--will also be featured on the
program. Cultural presentations will include Chumbawamba and
Patti Smith.
After the rally, the huge crowd will march to the Washington
Navy Yard, a large military complex located in the heart of one
of Washington's working class communities.
Sarah Friedman, an ANSWER organizer based in Washington,
told WW, "The response to the Jan. 18 mobilization has been
growing by leaps and bounds since the end of the holidays. Our
office is deluged with phone calls from all over the country,
especially those very far away from D.C. For instance, an
organizer who traveled to the Oct. 26 rally in Washington from
Oklahoma is organizing several buses for Jan. 18. At least two
buses are coming from Iowa.
"On Oct. 26, there was a local action in Denver. Now, 75
activists are planning to charter a plane from Colorado to
attend the event here on Jan. 18. Two buses are being organized
from Iowa. At least three cities in Texas are organizing for
Jan. 18. So far, three buses are being organized out of
Atlanta.
"On Oct. 26, one statewide bus came from Florida. Now we
hear that three statewide buses are being organized. There are
more organizing centers throughout Michigan than before.
"This is just an amazing development when you consider how
much money a bus and a plane cost someone who has to travel
across the country to get to Washington. Some of these
activists will be spending many hours, even days to come to
D.C. It speaks volumes to how deeply the significance of this
demonstration is being felt.
"People want to do everything possible to stop this war
before it starts."
At this writing, over 150 cities in 40 states are organizing
for the Washington and San Francisco actions. Protests are also
planned in least 18 other countries.
Student and Youth March on Jan. 19
ANSWER youth organizers have issued a call for a youth and
student march on Sunday, Jan. 19, that will gather at 11 a.m.
"at the Department of In-Justice (Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th
and 10th NW) to protest the attacks against the Arab and Muslim
communities, including the recent mass arrests in California.
Many of these violations are taking place within our own
schools as more and more universities are complying with FBI
and INS efforts to gather information, interrogate, detain and
deport thousands of people.
"March to the Presidential Palace (White House) for a Youth
and Student Weapons Inspection. If George Bush believes that
the UN weapons inspectors have the right to look into every
building in Iraq, then we should have a right to check out his
'Presidential Palace.'
"It's our schools that have gone without funding and it's
our social programs that have been cut to pay for the U.S.
government's weapons of mass destruction."
The youth statement cites an estimate made by the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences that a new war in Iraq could cost
the U.S. up to almost $2,000,000,000,000--$2 trillion--over 10
years if it disrupted world oil markets and prompted a
recession.
"Let's see if Bush provides full and complete disclosure!
JOIN US TO SAY: No War on Iraq! Disarm the Pentagon! Stop the
attacks on the Muslim and Arab communities! SMASH war and
racism," the statement concludes.
A planning meeting for the Jan. 19 action has been called
for Saturday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren
(4th St. and North Carolina Ave. SE), which is in walking
distance from the demonstration. Snacks will be provided at the
meeting.
Those interested in volunteering for tasks at these
mobilizations, getting more information or making a financial
contribution can call the ANSWER office at (202) 544-3389,
download leaflets and updates from internationalANSWER.org, or
email dc@internationANSWER.org
Reprinted from the Jan. 16, 2003, issue of
Workers World newspaper
This article is copyrighted
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