Times Square protest demands end to U.S. aggression in Korea

In the first of a series of actions in New York this week — buttressed by similar protest demonstrations in other parts of the U.S. — anti-war protesters marched near the military recruiting booth in Times Square to protest the latest U.S./south Korean joint war exercises in the sea near north Korea. About half of the demonstrators were from New York’s Korean community.

Chants of “Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!” alternated with demands that the U.S. finally sign a peace treaty with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, something that it has failed to do during the 57 years since the 1953 cease-fire armistice was signed.

The demonstration was called by the Answer Coalition and drew support from the Pakistan Freedom Forum, the International Action Center, the FIST youth group, the Philippine community and political organizations like Workers World Party and others.

At the ending rally, people announced protests scheduled in New York for Nov. 30 at a tree-lighting ceremony sponsored by General Electric, and on Dec. 1 and Dec. 3.

The Korean organization Nodutdol is circulating information about a Dec. 1 online action being organized by the National Campaign to End the Korean War (endthekoreanwar.org). “Peace in Korea” will take place on Dec. 1 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. See nodutdol.org.

The IAC has circulated an online petition that by Nov. 19 had 1,150 signers, including 110 organizations, and which has been directed to more than 85,000 political officials and media. See iacenter.org.

The IAC has also called a protest for Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., on the west side of Broadway between 33rd and 34th Street.

— Report & photo by John Catalinotto