During the week beginning March 12, Congress will begin voting on Bush’s request for $100 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afganistan. If Congress votes to cut off funds, they can end the war now and bring the troops home. If they approve Bush’s war funds, the killing, and dying and occupation will go on…it’s as simple as that. This vote will be the most important war related vote since Congress voted to authorized Bush to invade and occupy Iraq in October of 2002. The antiwar movement must be there to let Congress know that we won’t let them get away with it this time.
2. Where will the encampment be held?
On the mall directly in front of the Capitol building (3rd street between Constitution and Independence)
3. Do you have a permit?
Yes. And we have a team of experienced lawyers who will be in DC to help with any misunderstandings.
4. Will there be Civil Disobedience and other forms of direct action?
The Encampment itself will be a legal, safe, and permitted site. However, we understand that some individuals and groups will be engaging in direct action during the same time period.
5. Can we really camp out on the Mall in Washington?
At this point, we are still negotiating with the police, and circumstances can always change. Right now, we are being told that sleeping on the Mall will not be permitted. We do plan to maintain a 24-hour presence at the site.
We are working with churches, community organizations, unions, etc. to find places near the Encampment for people to sleep. We have also posted a list of less expensive campgrounds, hotels, and hostels here.
6. When should I come?
Whenever you can, beginning on March 12. Some people are planning to come for just a day or two, others are coming for a longer period.
7. Who are you?
The Encampment was initially proposed at an Antiwar Summit Meeting in Harlem on November of last year, organized by the Troops Out Now Coalition, where an estimated 150 organizers and activists-representing more than 50 different antiwar, community, immigrant and labor organizations from around the region-were in attendance.
Since that time, thousands of individuals and organizations have endorsed and are actively organizing. See http://www.troopsoutnow.org/Endorsers.html for a partial list of endorsing organizations and groups.
8. How can I help?
1. Let us know you are coming - use this form and let us know:
- Can you come to Washington for the Encampment to Stop the War? On what day can you join the encampment? For how long? Some are planning to come for a day or two, others are staying longer.
- Do you have equipment that would be useful for an encampment (tents, sleeping bags, etc.)?
- Can you volunteer to take on a task during the encampment (logistics, medical, security, legal, transportation, etc)?
- If you live in the Washington DC area, do you have space for people to sleep or freshen up?
2. Help get the word out. Download leaflets from http://www.troopsoutnow.org and take them to your school, workplace, union hall, church or mosque, community center, etc.
3. If you can't join us at the Encampment site, can you donateto help others go?
9. What are you going to do at the Encampment?
There will be a variety of actions happening each day. The Encampment is close enough to Congressional and Senate office buildings to organize visits to individual members.
Other events are being planned throughout the period of the Encampment. On March 12, there will be an evening protest at AIPAC’s Annual Conference, organized by the DC Antiwar Network.
On March 17, we will participate in the March to the Pentagon. Other events and direct actions are being organized by different groups, and we will post them here as soon as they are scheduled.
Donate!
If you can't join us at the Encampment - you can still be a part of this mobilzation to Stop the War at Home and Abroad. Please consider making a generous donation to help cover the costs of transportation, food, tents, sound equipment, and much more. You can donate online donate online at http://troopsoutnow.org/donate.shtml.
