March 19/20 AntiWar Action (ANSWER)

http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=6037

March 19/20 AntiWar Action
Reports from hundreds of cities Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Help break through the media blockade of the March 19/20 demonstrations!

The big business mass media suppressed or downplayed coverage of the March 19 antiwar protests that took place in more than 800 cities and towns throughout the United States. Many of these demonstrations were the largest in that local area in some time. Every progressive movement is confronted with the problem that the mainstream media represents the political establishment of society. We have to count on ourselves to spread the word – and that’s just what the movement is doing. More than 150 cities have sent in reports and photographs so that they can be circulated by others. The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition is bundling these reports so that they can receive massive circulation on the internet and elsewhere.

Spread the word! Please forward this email to friends.

Because of the large number of reports, it is not possible to include them all in one email. All of the reports, listed in alphabetical order by state, can be found on the March 19 reports section of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition website, which also includes a photo album.

Join the A.N.S.W.E.R. email list to receive updates such as these (low volume).

Below is a sampling of the March 19/20 reports and photographs:

New York City, New York

Brenda Stokely, President of AFSCME District Council 1707 and Co-Convener of New York City Labor Against the War:
“It is very important that the demonstration began in Harlem. Not only because the people of Harlem, and especially its young people, have had rain on them the costs of militarism, war and racism. Harlem is also important as a symbol of resistance. Every nationality in New York was represented in the march from Marcus Garvey Park to Central Park.”

Photo by Troops Out Now Coalition

Photo by A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition

The Troops Out Now Coalition reports that more than 15,000 marched from Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem to Central Park, where thousands were already gathered.

Excerpted from report:

“As they marched through Harlem, they were greeted by cheers and applause from the community. People came out of stores and apartments to join the march. Others hung out of their windows and flashed the peace sign or raised their fist.

“Speakers at the Central Park Rally included Representative Charles Rangel, New York City Council Members Margarita Lopez and Charles Barron, former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, and attorney Lynne Stewart.

“After the Central Park Rally, thousands marched to the Upper East Side mansion of billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the slogan, ‘Fund Cities, Not War!’”

Organizers with the Troops Out Now Coalition announced a May 1 rally in New York City to demand “Jobs, Not War! Bring the Troops Home Now!”

Bring The Troops Home Now! (Workers World)

http://www.workers.org/2005/us/march-19-0331/

Bring the troops home now!’
By Deirdre Griswold
New York
Published Mar 20, 2005 12:02 AM

As the brutal occupation of Iraq grinds on after two years of death and destruction, its toll on working-class youth and the growing impoverishment of already oppressed communities is reshaping the anti-war movement in the United States. “Why Harlem?” asked emcee Nellie Bailey of the Harlem Tenants Council. “Because when other communities catch a cold, the Harlems of this country catch pneumonia.”

“Why Harlem?” asked emcee Nellie Bailey of the Harlem Tenants Council. “Because when other communities catch a cold, the Harlems of this country catch pneumonia.”

A demonstration here on March 19, the anniversary of the day two years ago when the Pentagon began its “shock and awe” campaign, reflected this change when it began in Harlem, the historic cultural center for African Americans.

“Why Harlem?” asked emcee Nellie Bailey of the Harlem Tenants Council. “Because when other communities catch a cold, the Harlems of this country catch pneumonia.” The march strectched for 15 blocks.

The march strectched for 15 blocks.

After a rally at Marcus Garvey Park opened by Brenda Stokely, leader of the daycare workers’ union and an organizer of the Million Worker Movement, some 15,000 people of all nationalities marched through streets where boarded-up brownstones face gentrified new housing too expensive for the average Harlem resident.

Stretching 15 blocks, the march passed an armed forces recruiting center on 125th Street, where the chant went up, “Bring the troops home now” and “Armed forces out of Harlem.” It then proceeded to the “Barrio” of largely Latin@ East Harlem before winding up in Central Park, where thousands more anti-war folks already attending the rally there cheered the arrival of the Harlem contingent. Later, protesters marched down to the Fifth Avenue mansion of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire supporter of the Bush administration, for a third and final rally.

The Troops Out Now coalition, which organized the protest, represents a coming together of anti-war and intervention groups like the International Action Center (IAC) with community groups fighting poverty, police brutality and homelessness, as well as the dynamic new Black-led organization of militant trade unionists, the Million Worker Movement.

A constant theme of speakers, placards and chants was how the price tag for the war and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and the funding of Israel’s occupation of Palestine are taking funds away from education, health care, housing and other social needs. Budget cuts in social services are drying up major sources of jobs, too, leaving young people in poor communities vulnerable to the false promises of military recruiters.

Now soldiers returning from these wars find that even veterans’ benefits have been cut. A number of veterans, as well as soldiers resisting deployment to Iraq, spoke of how no one should be forced to fight in a “rich man’s war.”

Embattled activists like attorney Lynne Stewart–who faces a 30-year sentence in a case widely seen as a government attempt to intimidate lawyers from defending those it calls “terrorists”–and a group from City College arrested for protesting military recruitment on campus all received impassioned applause. “Dying in Iraq is not a job opportunity!” said one of the students, promising that resistance to military recruitment on campuses will grow.

The crowd warmly greeted speakers representing other nationalities–Filipino, Korean, Iraqi, Palestinian, Iranian, Venezuelan and Haitian–who exposed U.S. imperialism’s crimes in their countries and called for international solidarity in the struggle for a world without racism or imperialist exploitation. There was broad support for resistance to intervention and occupation.

The poetry, music and rhythms of Harlem were felt throughout the day as young hip hop artists and singers translated the political yearnings of their communities into spoken word and song.

Long-time opponents of imperialist aggression like Professor Howard Zinn and IAC founder Ramsey Clark were interspersed with a rising generation of new activists.

This new coalition of forces is already planning its next move. Larry Holmes of the coalition and the IAC announced that Troops Out Now and the Million Worker Movement will jointly sponsor a May Day demonstration this year at Union Square, the historic gathering place for worker militants in New York. As the war in Iraq becomes ever more a war against the workers here, all eyes will be on this important revival of the class struggle in a form that corresponds to the multinational character of today’s working class.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4364305.stm

20 March, 2005, 00:22 GMT
Worldwide protests mark Iraq war

Protests have been taking place across the world marking two years since the start of the war in Iraq.

Thousands turned out in Japan and Australia to complain about their countries’ involvement in Iraq.

Protest marches took place around Europe and similar events occurred in cities across the US.

In a radio address, US President George W Bush defended the war, saying it took place “to disarm a brutal regime, free its people, and defend the world”.

More than 4,500 people marched in Tokyo during a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

“The Self-Defence Force [Japan's military] should withdraw from Iraq immediately… and the occupation of Iraq should be stopped,” said Ken Takada, a member of civic group World Peace Now.

I think it’s outrageous what Blair and Bush think they can get away with John Salway Protester, London

In pictures: Iraq protests

Japan has about 550 troops in southern Iraq in a non-combat role.

In Canberra and other Australian cities, protesters marched against what they called the “coalition of the killing”.

Australia recently announced the deployment of a further 450 soldiers to Iraq.

In Greece, unions and left-wing groups organised marches on the streets of Athens.

An organiser said 5,000 people took part, while police put the figure at 2,000.

“Bush, the number one terrorist,” said leaflets being passed out to marchers.

‘Mess’

One of the biggest marches of the day was in London.

Anti-war protester in Pakistan Protests also took place in Pakistan

Organisers say 100,000 people took part, while police put the figure at 45,000.

Two former British soldiers left a cardboard coffin outside the US embassy, inscribed with the words: “100,000 dead”.

“I think it’s outrageous what Blair and Bush think they can get away with,” said John Salway, 59.

While some said they wanted British and US forces to withdraw from Iraq, others disagreed.

“We got the Iraqis into this mess, we need to help them out of it,” said Kit MacLean, 29.

The UK has about 8,000 troops in Iraq.

In Istanbul, Turkey, an estimated 15,000 people marched against the war, while in Stockholm, Sweden, about 300 people turned out to display their anger.

Anti-war protesters in New York There are around 150,000 US troops in Iraq

Thousands also took to the streets in several US cities. Some of them bore coffins draped with the country’s flag.

But correspondents say the US demonstrations were far smaller than previous protests against the war.

“I think Bush’s re-election took the steam out of the anti-war movement,” said New York activist Michael Letwin.

Demonstrators also gathered in San Francisco, Chicago and other cities to hear anti-war speeches.

The US has around 150,000 troops in Iraq.

NYCLAW Flyer: U.S. OUT OF IRAQ! BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!

[Download formatted version: 31905-labor-flyer]

New labor endorsers:
Troy Area Labor Council
National Writers Union/UAW Local 1981

——————–

Sat., March 19, 2005 – Labor Says:

U.S. OUT OF IRAQ!
BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
End War & Occupation in Palestine, Afghanistan, Around the World!
Fund Jobs, Health Care & Schools – Not War!
Fight Racism – Defend Immigrant, Civil & Labor Rights!

NYC: LABOR CONTINGENT
Assemble 10 a.m. at Marcus Garvey Park, Madison Ave. & 122 St.
(directly across from North General Hospital – 2/3/4/5/6 &
Metro-North trains to 125 St.). March to Central Park’s East
Meadow (97 St. & 5 Ave. – 6 train to 96 St.) for 12 Noon rally.
Details: nyclaw@comcast.net, 917-282-0139, <http://www.troopsoutnow.org/>.

FAYETTEVILLE, NC: ANTIWAR MILITARY FAMILIES & VETS
Home of Fort Bragg, 82nd Airborne, Special Forces.
Bus tickets: 212-868-5545.
Additional info: <www.NCpeacejustice.org>

Labor endorsers of 3/19 NYC Demo (List in Formation):

AFSCME L. 205, DC 37
AFSCME L. 375, DC 37
AFSCME L. 1930, DC 37 (NY Public Library Guild)
AFSCME L. 2627, DC 37
AFM L. 1000
Assn. of Mexican American Workers
Black Telephone Workers for Justice
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists-NY
Guyanese-American Workers United
Million Worker March
National Writers Union/UAW Local 1981
National Writers Union, UAW L. 1981-NJ Chap.
NJ Labor Against the War
NYC Labor Against the War (NYCLAW)
Postal Workers Against the War
Transit Workers Against the War
UFTers to Stop the War
1199ers for Peace and Justice
NY Taxi Workers Alliance
Troy Area Labor Council
Brenda Stokely, Pres., AFSCME DC 1707*
Michael Letwin, Former Pres., UAW L. 2325*
Larry Adams, Former Pres., NPMHU L. 300*
Susan E. Davis, Pres, Ext. Org., UAW L. 1981*
(*Org. listed for ID only)

Issued by:
NYC Labor Against the War (NYCLAW)
nyclaw@comcast.net, 917-282-0139

NYCLAW Statement

3.19: NYCLAW Statement

Statement of Michael Letwin
Co-Convener, New York City Labor Against the War
Former President, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys/UAW Local 2325
Troops Out Now Coalition Rally Central Park, NYC — March 19, 2005

The U.S. war in Iraq has never had anything to do with finding weapons of mass destruction or Al-Qaeda; it has brought neither liberation nor democracy.

From day one, it has been a naked grab for oil and empire. It is part and parcel of the Bush administration’s shameless exploitation of 9/11 to promote unjust wars and occupation in Afghanistan, Palestine, Haiti and abroad, and to assault immigrants, workers, and civil liberties at home.

It has brought neither liberation nor democracy — only death, torture, devastation and oppression.

Like Vietnam, this war is thoroughly bipartisan — from Democratic support for the invasion of Afghanistan and the Patriotic Act, to John Kerry’s pro-war presidential candidacy, to this week’s overwhelming Congressional passage of $81 billion more for the war.

It has inflicted countless civilian casualties and bred vicious racism. It has killed more than 1500 G.I.s. and maimed thousands of others.

But there is hope. The U.S. government lost in Vietnam because that war inevitably bred anti-colonial resistance, mass protest at home, and a G.I. mutiny that crippled the most powerful war machine the world had ever seen.

Today, the United States is losing in Iraq because *this* unjust war also breeds resistance.

We see that resistance when ordinary Iraqis fight back the U.S. occupation and its collaborators. That’s why the U.S. hasn’t been able to invade Iran or Syria.

We have seen it reflected in the largest mass protests in world history; in Burlington, Vermont’s vote of a few weeks ago to bring the troops home now; in the growing counter-recruitment movement; and in Italy’s announced troop withdrawal.

We see it in the unions — including AFSCME, postal workers, communication workers, mail handlers, and SEIU — that have come out against this war.

We have seen it in the growing number of American G.I.s — workers in uniform — who are quitting at the end of their enlistments, refusing to fight, going AWOL or deserting, and in the rising number of teenagers who are refusing to join up in the first place.

And as we stand here in New York City, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out and other vets and military families are leading antiwar protests in Fayetteville, North Carolina, home of the huge Army base at Ft. Bragg. Let’s give them a strong shout-out.

So don’t lose heart. Together, we have:

*The power to end U.S. occupation in Iraq.

*The power to end imperial war and occupation in Afghanistan, in Palestine, in the Philippines, in Colombia, in Korea, in Haiti, in Puerto Rico — and across the globe.

*The power to fight against the war being waged at home against workers, immigrants, civil rights and civil liberties.

Bring the Troops Home Now!