http://www.iacenter.org/archive2003/s28_rept.htm
Thousands March Against Occupation on the Third Anniversary of the Palestinian Intifada
Sunday, September 28, 2003
Despite steady rain, a loud and spirited crowd of more than 2,500 gathered at Columbus Circle in New York City on Sunday, to call for an end to the occupation of Palestine and Iraq. This demonstration is part of a series of anti-occupation events which will culminate in a massive march on Washington DC on October 25.
The march, organized by a broad coalition of labor, community, youth, and anti-war groups, started at Columbus Circle, marched down Broadway towards Times Square, and stopped at the Philippine, Colombian, Korean, and Israeli missions.
Speakers included Larry Holmes, of the International Action Center; Saeed Ariqat prominent Palestinian-American journalist and DC Bureau Chief of Al-Quds newspaper; Brenda Stokeley of NYC Labor Against the War, along with representatives from many international solidarity organization in NYC. The program also featured an exciting mix of music and culture of many of the occupied countries.
Demonstrations took place across the country and all over the world this weekend, in response to a call from the Palestinian progressive movement. Hundreds turned out in Boston, and San Francisco and Los Angeles both had marches numbering at least 5,000.
In London, organizers estimated that 100,000 people turned out, chanting “Troops out of Iraq and Blair out of Number 10,” and “George Bush Uncle Sam, Iraq will be your Vietnam.”
Thousands marched in Paris, where a wide banner read, “American Imperialism: Take your bloody hands off the Middle East.” Others held posters that read “Wanted: George W. Bush — War Criminal.”
Thousands of Turks took to the streets in two separate demonstrations on Saturday, chanting, “Freedom to Palestine, long live the global Intifada.”
In Warsaw, 100 young people protested the Polish military presence in Iraq, marching with banners saying “Down with the global U.S terrorism.”
More than a thousand demonstrated in Brussels, while about 400 people marched through downtown Berlin. In Stockholm, police said about 250 people staged a demonstration. In Madrid thousands protested against Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar’s support for the war.
Up to 1,500 protesters marched through Dublin today to demonstrate against the American occupation of Iraq. A retired army commandant returned military medals to protest Ireland’s role in the Iraqi war.
South Koreans took to the streets to urge the government to reject a U.S. request to send troops to Iraq. “U.S., Leave Iraq,” read one banner. “Don’t make young Koreans murderers,” another said.
Five thousand people marched in the streets of the Beirut on Saturday to express support for the Palestinians and to protest against the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The procession was led by about 50 children from the dozen Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
Marches and rallies took place in over 40 countries, including:
Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, UAE, UK, and USA.
New York City Endorsers Include:
Al Awda NY-NJ, the ANSWER Coalition, Arab Muslim American Federation, Blacks Against War Coalition, Casa de las Americas, Central NJ Coalition for Peace and Justice, Committee in Support of the Iraqi People, Committee to Stop US War on Colombia, Congress for Korean Reunification, Cuba Solidarity NY, D12 Coalition, the GABRIELA Network, Green Party USA, International Action Center, Korea Truth Commission, Korean American National Coordinating Committee, Mid-Hudson National Peoples Campaign, Movement in Motion Arts Collective, Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines, NJ Solidarity- Activists for the Liberation of Palestine, NY Committee to Defend Palestine, NODUTDOL for Korean Community Development, Not In Our Name – NION, Palestine Action at Union Square-PAUSe, Queers for Peace and Justice, Radical Women, San Romero Church, SNAFU- Support Network for an Armed Forces Union
Media Contact: Dustin Langley (917) 293-1138
More Than 5,000 March in San Francisco Against Occupation
September 28, 2003–More than 5,000 people marched in San Francisco yesterday against war, colonial occupation and to demand “Bring the Troops Home Now.” The strong and spirited crowd marched from Dolores Park through the Mission District to Civic Center, chanting, “George Bush, Uncle Sam, Iraq will be your Vietnam!” and “Viva, Viva Palestina!”
The march was part of a weekend of global protest in over 40 countries which coincided with the 3rd anniversary of the 2nd Palestinian Intifada. Strong actions took place in eight U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles. In London on Saturday, 100,000 turned out to protest the British role in occupying Iraq, as well as Tony Blair’s lies to justify the war. Protests also took place in South Korea; Ankara, Turkey; ten cities in Spain; Japan; and many other countries, including in cities all over the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
This weekend marks a reawakening of the anti-war movement, which has emerged as an anti-occupation movement as well. In the U.S. peace and justice organizations are looking toward national demonstrations scheduled for October 25th to continue to grow in size.
MORE THAN 5,000 MARCH IN LOS ANGELES AGAINST OCCUPATION!
September 29, 2003–More than 5,000 people marched in Los Angeles on Sunday against war, colonial occupation and to “Bring the Troops Home Now.” The strong and spirited crowd marched through Hollywood chanting, “George Bush, Uncle Sam, Iraq will be your Vietnam!” and “Free Free Palestine! Long Live Palestine!”
Speakers included Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations – the largest Advocacy/Civil Rights organization in America representing the Muslim community; Michel Shehadeh, one of the LA 8 and local coordinator of the Free Palestine Alliance; Fernando Suarez del Solar, an outspoken critic of the occupation whose son was killed in Iraq; members of Military Families Speak Out; Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic; Mpinduzi Khuthaza, International Black Coalition for Peace and Justice; Margaret Prescod, Global Women’s Strike; Ban Al-Wardi of the ADC LA/OC; Juan Jose Gutierrez, Latino Movement USA; Seunghai Suh, Korean Americans for Peace and Mindullae; Eva Georgia, General Manager, KPFK; Member of Congress, Dennis Kucinich; Carl Mohammed of the International Action Center; Sonali Kolhatkar of the Afghan Women’s Mission; Hamid Kahn of the South Asian Network; Josh Cannole, activist falsely arrested by FBI; George Techika, Latinos Against the War, James Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild, Marion Gordon, Coalition for World Peace, and many others. The spirited rally was co-chaired by John Parker and Muna Coobtee of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition.
The march was part of a weekend of global protest in over 40 countries which coincided with the 3rd anniversary of the 2nd Palestinian Intifada. Strong actions took place in eight U.S. cities, including New York and San Francisco. Protests also took place in London (100,000 people); South Korea; Turkey; ten cities in Spain; Japan; and many other countries, including in cities all over the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
This weekend marks a reawakening of the anti-war movement, which has emerged as an anti-occupation movement. In the U.S. peace and justice organizations are looking toward national demonstrations scheduled for Oct. 25th to continue to grow in size.
International Action Center
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NYCLAW: NYC Labor Against the War 