Here are pictures from the Los Angeles Encampment to Stop the War, 9.22.07
It was beautiful weather, a great day. More people joined us, and of course Ron Kovic moved the group with his recollections of his experience over 30 years ago where he and other disabled veterans took over the 17th floor of the Veterans Adminstration leading to a 17 day hunger strike.
Youth from the Encampment to Stop the War inside the Rayburn House Office Building. They shouted "Money for Jobs, Not for War!" and "Cut off the funds; end the war; bring the troops home!" and could be heard all the way across the street.
Despite a winter storm, with freezing temperatures, ice, rain, and winds up to 40 mph, the Encampment continued on Friday--and continued protesting against the War Congress located across the reflecting pool.
Activists continued to arrive from all over the U.S. - some from as far away as California.
In the afternoon, youth activists from the Encampment stormed the Rayburn House Office Building (see report and photos below).
The wind took down several tents, blowing one of them into the reflecting pool. Organizers arrived on the scene early Saturday morning to secure the remaining tents and to prepare for the massive march on the Pentagon, which stepped off a few minutes ago.
Activists continue to arrive at the Encampment, determined to challenge the pro-war Congress and expose their phony "phased withdrawal" plans, which are really just political cover for them to continue to vote to fund the war.
The Democrats attempted to silence debate in the Rayburn Building-- half an hour ago 19 youth from FIST (Fight Imperialism Stand Together) stormed Rayburn to let them know that the people will not be silenced.
Yesterday, members of the Democratically-controlled House Appropriations Committee met in the Rayburn Building to conspire to spend billions of dollars to continue funding the criminal occupation of Iraq--money they have stolen from the people, who need it for health care, education, affordable housing, and other human needs.
In order to keep the people out of yesterday's hearing, the Committee Chair, David Obey (D- Wis), packed the room with staffers and corporate lobbyists. Capitol police then arrested 10 people for attempting to voice opposition to continuing to fund the war.
Today--minutes ago-- a diverse group of 19 youth, mostly women, entered the Rayburn Building, to demand "Money for Jobs and Education, not for War and Occupation" and "Cut the Funding, End the War; Troops Out Now!"
Their demands were loud enough to be heard from across the street and prevented the Congressional offices and hearings from conducting their daily business of imperialism, greed, and oppression.
The Capitol cops were clearly unprepared for the militant youth and could only attempt to chase them through the building as they marched through every hallway on all three floors.
Members of Congress may attempt to hide their crimes behind "non-binding resolutions" and phony timetables, but the antiwar movement is not fooled by political posturing. Resistance will only increase until Congress does what the people have demanded--cut off the funds and bring the troops home.
FIST assembling in the lobby of the Rayburn Building
March 17 Encampment Kick-off Rally for the March on the Pentagon
please note that we are planning a Morning Rally at the Encampment site
Please TRY to schedule buses, where ever possible to arrive by 11am at the Encampment site on 3rd St.
The BUS & Van Drop Off is right in front of the Encampment site at 3rd St on the West Side of the Capitol This is also close to the Train Station.
“Cut war funding” kick-off rally at Encampment in front of Congress Sat., March 17, 10 am to 11:30 am at 3rd St & the Mall, in front of West Side of Capital, At 11:30 we will begin a 20 to 30 minute march along Constitution Ave to ANSWER rally at 22nd & Constitution. This is a distance of 1.6 miles. (The March on Pentagon begins at 2pm from 22 & Constitution) Bus PARKING & PICK-UP is at Pentagon North Parking Lot at end of the day.
Also - Late breaking news: The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on funding for the Iraq war Wed., March 14. Be at the Encampment to confront the war makers!!
Congress won't stop the war --unless we force them to
Congress won't stop the war --unless we force them to
The article below is from today's New York Times. Despite the fact that the Democrats were elected with a clear and overwheling mandate to end the war, they continue to hide behind legislative maneuvers and political posturing:
Divided Congress Prepares to Debate Financing and Strategy for Iraq War
By JEFF ZELENY and ROBIN TONER Published: February 28, 2007
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 — The Democratic-controlled Congress on Tuesday entered a critical five-week struggle over the financing of the war in Iraq and the overall mission there, divided over strategy, stymied by ideological divisions, but still hoping to escalate In the Senate, a proposal to repeal the 2002 Congressional war authorization faced skepticism on two fronts. Some liberal Democrats expressed unease at the prospect of approving a new military mission, even a narrower one, while moderate Republicans said they preferred to look ahead rather than revisit the past. In the House, Democrats debated what conditions should be attached to the nearly $100 billion spending bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, scheduled for a floor vote in March. Democratic leaders convened a spirited meeting of their caucus to begin sorting out the lawmakers’ varying views, hoping to defend against Republican charges that they were planning a cutoff in troop financing.
As members of Congress returned to Capitol Hill after a weeklong break at home, Democrats searched for a way to translate a tide of public sentiment against the war into legislation that makes practical — and political — sense. “Personally, I don’t believe there are any good alternatives in Iraq,” said Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the Democratic majority leader. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, Mr. Hoyer and other leaders met with their fellow Democrats for about an hour in a closed session on Tuesday evening. They emerged to say that the military spending bill would place a new emphasis on the war on terrorism and provide additional financing for the American effort in Afghanistan.
They also sought to rebut the Republican charge that the troops would suffer from their efforts to change the administration’s troop buildup in Iraq. “Let me be clear,” Ms. Pelosi told reporters. “We will fund the troops.” While Democrats have yet to settle on a final spending plan, Ms. Pelosi spoke favorably of a proposal put forward by Representative John P. Murtha, Democrat of Pennsylvania, that would establish strict standards for the training, readiness and equipment of troops about to be deployed to Iraq. Mr. Murtha has said his legislation would protect American forces, yet make Mr. Bush’s troop buildup impossible to sustain.
The new Democratic proposal would allow those standards to be waived, although they would require the president to do it. “He will have to have his name on that,” said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the Democratic conference chairman.
The Murtha proposal had come under heavy fire from Republicans, who asserted that it would amount to a crippling financial drain if the Pentagon would fail to meet the standards. Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican leader, scoffed at the new Democratic approach Tuesday night, saying, “Sounds like retreat to me.”
Democratic leaders said their plan would set new benchmarks for the Iraqi government and force the president to be accountable for the condition of the troops. Still, some Democrats pledged not to be silenced in their efforts to reduce military spending.
In the Senate, Democratic leaders temporarily set aside Iraq deliberations to consider a debate on implementing recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Families of the victims persuaded Senate leaders not to bog down the debate with Iraq amendments.
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.
