‘No more Middle East wars’

Mumia placards carried in New York protest, Aug. 5. WW photo: Monica Moorehead

Following are excerpts from a taped message played at the Aug. 5 anti-war rally in New York and other cities.

What a joy to join the many forces saying, “No justice, no peace. U.S. out of the Middle East.” It’s refreshing to hear some sanity when we discuss this region and the bloodletting that we see every day there.

The U.S. has given its green light to Tel Aviv to let loose the dogs of war and let loose they have; not since the illegal, murderous U.S. bombing of Baghdad have we seen such tonnage unleashed upon a civilian population.

What’s really amazing is that so soon after Americans awoke to the long train of lies that led to Iraq, they are again bombarded with lies to justify the disaster being unleashed upon Lebanon.

Once again, Americans have to catch up to the rest of the world, who recognize the cynical sham of the U.S. sending so-called peace envoys who oppose cease-fires. It is a sign of our degeneration that in 50 years, we’ve gone from Ralph Bunche to Condoleezza Rice.

Israel is fighting a proxy war on behalf of its U.S. paymasters to intimidate and cow Arab nations.

Once again, America is on the wrong side of history. The U.S. isn’t on the side of democracy but the side of right-wing theocracies. Simple human justice should put us all on the side of the oppressed, the dispossessed, the wretched of this embattled earth. That means on the side of the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance. That means also calling for the end of the occupation of Palestine, Lebanon and yes, Iraq. I’m proud to endorse the International Action Center in their call. On the move. Long live John Africa. From death row, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.

To hear Mumia Abu-Jamal’s audio columns, go to www.prisonradio.org.