Washington Post article on 9/26 encampment demo in front of White House to defend Iran
Antiwar Protesters Decry Handling of Iran
By Michael E. Ruane Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, September 26, 2007; A11
A group of antiwar protesters demonstrated outside the White House yesterday to condemn what they termed the government's "demonization" of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and said they think the Bush administration is preparing the public for an attack on Iran.
The 25 protesters, most of them from the Troops Out Now Coalition, walked in a circle on the sidewalk north of the White House, chanting "Get out of Iraq! Stay out of Iran!" and holding signs that read: "Don't Terrorize Iran" and "Don't Appease Israel."
They dismissed the criticisms this week of the Iranian president, saying the United States had criticized Saddam Hussein before invading Iraq.
"There's a hysteria in the media emanating from New York . . . against the president of Iran," coalition spokesman Larry Holmes said. "We're here in response to what's been going on in New York: the Columbia debate, the front pages of the tabloids, the electronic media, demonizing the president. And we know what it's about.
"We know that the government is in very advanced stages of planning for a war in Iran. They've got a naval armada" in the Persian Gulf, he said. "The Pentagon's got its plans. And now we see the psychological preparation."
The Iranian president has been criticized this week for questioning the Holocaust and saying there are no homosexuals in Iran.
Referring to Ahmadinejad's controversial statements, Holmes said: "I don't think it's relevant. I think that's an interesting philosophical discussion about theology, about social views, that you have over coffee."
Yesterday's protest is part of week-long antiwar rally that will culminate Saturday in a march scheduled to begin at noon from a coalition camp on the west side of the U.S. Capitol.
Spokesmen said the events are aimed mainly at stopping the war in Iraq and what they called injustice at home. The march route was being worked out, organizers said. The National Park Service said the group's permit suggests that between 2,000 and 5,000 marchers are expected.
"The focus here is stop the war at home and abroad," coalition spokesman Dustin Langley said Monday. "We think there's a real connection between the fact that they're spending $750 million a day on the war and people here die because they don't have access to health care."
The march comes after a large antiwar protest Sept. 15 and precedes an antiwar, anti-global warming rally scheduled for next month. The coalition says there have been numerous marches because the war has not ended and because antiwar groups might have different targets.
"Repeated protests are even more important than whether we get half a million people out here," Langley said. "It may just be important to be here and just dog them because they're lying to us."
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.
The Troops Out Now Headquarters in WASHINGTON, DC is at: Troops Out Now Coalition c/o St. Stephens Church 1525 Newton St, NW, washington, DC (corner of Newton St and 16th St) 202-821-3686
The Troops Out Now Headquarters is at: 5C Solidarity Center, 55 W 17th St., New York, NY, 10011 212-633-6646 www.troopsoutnow.org Email:info@troopsoutnow.org
Florida Speaks Out c/o Faith Carr 4315 NE 77th Ave. Gainesville, FL 34609 Contact: Faith Carr Telephone: 352-335-0771 Email:faithccarr@yahoo.com Transportation Info: Car Caravan Yo the I-95 Corridor. Lodge style camping (up to 7 days). Still working out the costs. Please Please e-mail me soonest. The more people we have carpooling and lodging the cheaper it is for all of us.
Inverness
Peace Now Citrus County c/o Beverly Wiskow 1202 S Elmwood Dr Inverness, FL 34450 Inverness, FL 34450 Contact: Beverly Wiskow Telephone: 352-400-4174 Email:peacenowcitruscounty@tampabay.rr.com
Georgia
Atlanta
Atlanta International Action Center Little 5 Points Community Center 1083 Austin Ave. NE, Rm. 203 Atlanta, GA 30306 Contact Dianne Mathiowetz Telephone: 770-989-2536 Email:atlantaiac@aol.com Meeting info: weekly organizing meetings on sundays at 5pm at IAC office, Little 5 Points Community Center, 1083 Austin Ave. NE,Rm. 203, Atlanta 30306. (near Inman Park MARTA station)
Maine
Knox Contact: Betsy Garrold Phone: 207-568-3302 Email: hgarrold@gwi.net Organizing in Maine for the March 12 Encampment to Stop the War and March 17 March on the Pentagon
Maryland
Baltimore Baltimore All Peoples Congress 410-467-6132 APCBaltimore@pipeline.com
Massachusetts
Boston TONC Boston 617-522-6626 troopsoutnow@iacboston.org www.iacboston.org Location: 284 Amory St., Boston, MA 02130
Western Massachussetts Western Mass IAC/Troops Out Now Organizing Committee Contact: Nick Camerota Phone: 413-896-5219 or 413-587-0059. Email:wmassiac@hotmail.com
Michigan
Detroit Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice Contact: David Sole 313-680-5508 info@mecawi.org www.mecawi.org Weekly meetings: Every Wednesday at 7 PM at 5920 Second Ave, Detroit (cross street Antoinette).
Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Troops Out Now Coalition Contact: Tamara StClair 734-657-5081 tamarastc@gmail.com
New York
Buffalo Buffalo/WNY Troops Out Now Coalition 367 Delaware Ave Buffalo, NY 14202 Phone:716-604-9515 Email:iacbuffalo@action-mail.org
Long Island Long Island Troops Out Now Coalition Heather 516-223-8002 hcottin@aol.com; worker515@juno.com
New York City IAC - NYC 212-633-6646 5C - Solidarity Center, 55 W 17th St. NY, NY, 10011 Email:info@troopsoutnow.org
North Carolina
Charlotte Action Center For Justice http://www.geocities.com/nomorevictims/nowar 7100 Mapleridge Dr Charlotte, NC 28210 Contact David Dixon Telephone: 704-492-8527
Raleigh Raleigh F.I.S.T. (Fight Imperialism, Stand Together) 822 Chamberlain St. Raleigh NC 27607 Contact: Dante Strobino Telephone: 919-539-2051 Email:raleighfist@riseup.net
Congress is spending $100,000 a minute on the war. Meanwhile, more and more people are falling below the poverty line. Hospitals are closing. Schools are underfunded, understaffed, and overcrowded. Wounded veterans returning from Iraq are being housed in rund-down roach-infested motels. Most of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina have not been able to return home and rebuild.
We need moeny for human needs, not war. That's why we're asking you to Bring Your Bills to Washington. Bring them all---utility bills, student loan notes, medical bills, etc.
When Congress assembles to take up Bush's request for another $100 billion for war, let's tell them that we need Money for Jobs, Healthcare, and Education--Not War!
In the short time since the Troops Out Now Coalition put out the call for the Encampment to Stop the War in Washington DC, the response has been overwhelming.
Activists from all over the U.S., from as far away as Washington State and Hawaii, have written us to let us know that they plan to be there. (If you haven't done so--go here and let us know if you're coming, when you're coming and how long you'll be in DC).
Apex Bus New York(88 E Broadway) <--> Washtington DC One way $20.00, Round Trip $35.00 Duration:about 4.5 hours New York:88 East Broadway DC:610 I Street NW
Dragon Coach 1-800-475-1160, 212-966-5310 Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, DC
Momentum Growing for the Encampment to Stop the War
ENCAMPMENT TO STOP THE WAR In Washington DC Beginning March 12
In the past few days, we have been contacted by thousands of people from all over the country promising to come to Washington and STAY to stop the war. Here is what some have said:
I would like to be involved in a direct manner, I have nothing in my life I believe to be more important than taking back control of our country from the hands corruption and corperations, and returning it to its rightful owners, let me know what I can do from here! I support you guys 110% on what you guys are doing!!!!!!!!!!!! -Cesar Paz, Las Cruces, NM
Up to now, antiwar demonstrations have produced no results. By having demonstrators stay at the site of Congress until it cuts off funding just might work. I'll volunteer as much time as possible at the local level and I hope to be able to come to Washington on March -Paul McDowell, Santa Barbara City College, CA
I will be there to stay with my tent and my friend too - Tamara St Clair, Ann Arbor MI
I'm going and will stay - Tighe Barry, Santa Monica, CA
Looking forward to setting up my tent on the lawn - Joe Dwyer Clearspring MD
Let us emulate the example of our colleagues in Oaxaca, - Cecil Pineda, Oakland, CA
DON'T drop this ball, no matter the opinions of the big peace groups. They haven't been willing to put out this kind of call and I firmly believe it is the only thing that will work. We can do this if we unite. - Beverly Wiskow, Peace Now Citrus County, Inverness FL
Let's shut down Washington!Our votes don't matter,so it's time for mass civil disobedience.It's the only way we can stop this war. - David Cutler, Boston MA
Veterans and Military Family Contingent at the Encampment to Stop the War
Veterans and Military Family Contingent at the Encampment to Stop the War
A call to veterans, active duty military personnel, and military families.
We've already heard from many members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families who are planning to come to the Encampment to Stop the War. Now, as Congress prepares to debate Bush's request for more war funding--essentially a vote to re-authorize the war, we need to be in Washington in unprecedented numbers.
This is particularly important for veterans and military personnel, because politicians of both major parties have been hiding behind the mantra "support the troops" to justify their continuing support for the war--using GIs as human shields for their failed policies.
We, veterans, military families, and active duty personnel need to be there to speak for the troops who want to come home and for the more than 3,000 who have died as a result of the lies of Bush and Congress. for more information, email veterans@TroopsOutNow.org.
Encampment site is on 3rd St. between Independence and Constitution Ave., directly in front of the Capitol Building. (the star on the map is not accurately placed)
Capitol Hill KOA Campground 768 Cecil Avenue, N., Millersville, MD 21108 1-800-562-0248 / 410-923-2771 http://www.capitolkoa.com Facilities include space for trailers & campers as well as lots to pitch tents. Spaces start at less than $40
Cherry Hill Park Campground 9800 Cherry Hill Rd. College Park MD http://www.cherryhillpark.com/ 1-800-801-6449 301-937-7116 Transportation into the city is available from the campground multiple times daily. Spaces for tents, RVs, starting at $40
Hostelling International-Washington D.C. 1009 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Tel: 202-737-2333 Fax: 202-737-1508 Web: www.hiwashingtondc.org Includes continental breakfast. Individual and Group Rates Located 3 blocks from Metro Center (blue/orange/red lines).
Motel 6 6711 Georgia Ave. NW Washington, DC I-495 AT GEORGIA AVE, EXIT #31/31-B (202)722-1600 www.motel6.com Rooms from $75.99 Located 1 mile from metro
Braxton Hotel 1440 Rhode Island Ave. NW Washington, DC 20005 Tel: 1-800-350-5759 or 202-232-7800 Fax: 202-265-3725 Website: http://www.braxtonhotel.com/ Rooms $79.99 & up Located 5 blocks from Dupont Circle metro (red line)
Americana Motel 1400 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22202 Tel: 703-979-3772 Fax: 703-979-0547 Price: $89 for single, $109 for double. includes continental breakfast. 1.5 blocks from metro Metro station: Crystal City (blue line)
Days Inn Arlington/Washington DC 2201 Arlington Blvd US 50 & North Pershing Drive Arlington, VA 22201 US Phone: 703-525-0300 www.daysinn.com Rooms starting at $98
Message to Congress: *CUT OFF ALL WAR FUNDING *END THE WAR *BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW
Beginning March 12 in Washington DC (Before the March on the Pentagon on Saturday march 17)
WHERE?on the mall directly in front of the Capitol building (3rd street between Constitution and Independence)
WHY NOW? 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.
Right now, the Troops Out Now Coalition is working with local organizers, churches and mosques, unions, and community groups to prepare for a long-term occupation of Washington by the anti-war movement. Local organizers across the U.S. are organizing buses, vans, and car caravans.
We have a real opportunity if we act decisively--and we need your help. Please contact us by Monday, February 26 --use the "comments" section of the volunteer form to 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?
How You Can Help
Volunteer - complete the volunteer form at http://troopsoutnow.org/feb17mar17volunteer.shtml and use the comments section to let us know when you can come to Washington DC, how long you can stay, what you can bring, and what tasks you can take on in the Encampment to Stop the War.
Contactyour local organizing center and help organize your local contingent to the Encampment.
Partial list of Endorsers: Brenda Stokely, co-convener, New York City Labor Against the War*; Teresa Guttierez, May 1 Immigrant Rights Coalition*; Sharon Black, Million Worker March; LeiLani Dowell, FIST - Fight Imperialism Stand Together; Joseph Parko, founding member, Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition*, Atlanta, GA; Elliot Markson, Veterans For Peace*, Brooklyn, NY; Mona Parsons, Military Families Speak Out*, Mount Vernon, OH; Julie Levine, Steering Committee, Topanga Peace Alliance*, CA; Manik Mukherjee, AIAIF, All India Anti-imperialist Forum, Calcutta, India; The Most Rev. Filipe Teixeira, Ofsjc, Diocesan Bishop, Catholic Church Of The Americas*, Brockton, MA; Louis Lafortune, Member: County Council, Green Party Santa Cruz California*, Santa Cruz, CA; Ardeshir Ommani, Chair, American-Iranian Friendship Committee (AIFC), Armonk, NY; Paul "Zool" Zulkowitz, Green Party Peace Action Comm (GPAX)*, Woodmere, NY; Ivy Nightscales, Shop Steward, SEIU*, Seattle, WA; Amelia Core Jenkins, Code Pink*, Dallas, TX; Ruth Valdez, Chair Social Action Comm., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Of Santa Cruz*, Freedom, CA; Leslie Feinberg, Co-Chair LGBT Caucus National Writers Union*; Steve Gillis, Vice President USWA Local 8751 Boston School Bus Drivers and Monitors; Minister Malik Shabazz-el Bey, President-General, New Marcus Garvey Movement-Black Panther Nation, Detroit, MI; Paul Kangas, co-chair, Thc Troops Home By Christmas, San Francisco, CA; Ronald Kuykendall, Veterans For Peace*, Asheville, NC; Hasan Tarique Chowdhury, Bangladesh Peace Council*, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Anthony Ehrlich, West Volusians For Peace And Justice*, Barberville, FL; Mark Bradshaw-Miller, Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church*, Saint Louis, MO; Paul Gattone, Executive Vice-President, National Lawyers Guild*, Tucson, AZ; Mattie Thomas, Move On*, Brooklyn, NY; Jerry Messick, AFSCME*, Norman, OK; Sylvia Zisman, Bklyn Parents For Peace*, Bklyn, NY see growing list of endorsers at www.TroopsOutNow.org/CutOffWarFundingEndorsers.html
By Jack Balkwill Online Journal Contributing Writer
Jan 30, 2007, 00:31
On Saturday, American citizens responded to an illegal war they were forced to support with their taxes and the blood of their children. The war on the people of Iraq has taken hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and created havoc for Iraqis still living.
The people marched on the nation’s Capitol Saturday, expressing their outrage with the start of a months-long rebellion that will be told in future history books. It was not a protest of wild-eyed radicals, but one of mainstream Americans, who have had enough of tyranny. Elderly people could be seen, combat veterans, and even people from my neighborhood, the conservative Tidewater region of Virginia -- Pat Robertson country.
It was here in Tidewater that Thomas Jefferson was educated at the College of William and Mary. Jefferson foresaw that the people might run into such a dilemma as an illegal foreign war, and backed an amendment [1] to the Constitution, with the proposition that it is the right of the people peaceably to assemble, as they did Saturday.
Although a clear majority of citizens want the troops out of Iraq [2], neither the executive nor legislative branches have a plan to comply. We are hearing from the Congress only suggestions of resolutions that our troops should, sort of, not be increased in Iraq, perhaps. President Bush and Vice President Cheney have responded sternly that they don't care what Congress thinks, they will overrule any such whimpers as these.
From here in the Tidewater region of Virginia, home to dozens of military bases, forts and stations -- the most militarized and conservative region in America, we sent hundreds of protesters to the capitol Saturday demanding that the troops be brought home from Iraq.
Among the speakers in Washington were Jane Fonda, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (the other presidential candidates did not show their faces after voting for an illegal war and/or appropriations with which to sustain it). House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers voiced the will of the people at the rally, “Out if Iraq immediately. This year. We've got to go.”
Jefferson wrote his friend and fellow Virginian James Madison from Paris on another January day in 1787, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." Saturday the people took him up on that, and participated in opening a rebellion with skirmishes planned to come.
Anticipating that the war may not stop as a result of Saturday’s march, the people have more demonstrations planned for this ongoing rebellion. On February 17, when a new appropriation of some hundred billion dollars more for Iraq war is considered, comes "No More Money for War Day," with local protests across the country to demand the cutoff of all war funding. But if those in power do not listen, an escalation is planned.
On March 17 comes the "March on the Pentagon -- Stay in Washington" protest. The Troops Out Now Coalition is working with the ANSWER Coalition and other national groups to organize a massive march on the Pentagon on the fourth anniversary of the illegal invasion of Iraq. This time, protesters plan to stay in Washington until Congress cuts off all war spending -- it will be a time to move from protest to resistance, as Jefferson encouraged. Check the Troops Out Now website for details, updates, and transportation from your area.
It is an exciting time here in the Tidewater region of Virginia, where we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown this year, the first English settlement in the New World leading to the birth of our nation, nearby at Yorktown, with the defeat of the British army in 1781. But something is missing, as we are bogged down in the kind of foreign war the Founding Fathers dreaded in their writings.
People are being killed in Iraq every day, and the experts tell us the biggest cause of violence is the presence of Western troops. Most of the attacks are on Americans. With Western troops out; the violence will be reduced by at least half, probably far more than that. Neighboring countries should be able to provide Islamic troops for temporary security-- with regional political talks leading to the kind of solution that has the best chance for success. Democracy cannot be spread by gunfire.
Jefferson went about as far as one may go with rebellious words in his Declaration of Independence, about times like these, when reason breaks down and our rulers fail to listen to the people, "That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it."
Notes
[1] Actually introduced by his friend James Madison.
[2] In fact, a Zogby poll last year found that even 72% of troops stationed in Iraq thought the troops should leave within a year, and nearly a quarter of them thought immediately.
Jack Balkwill does the web site Liberty Underground of Virginia (LUV) and has written for publications as varied as the little-read English Honor Society’s Rectangle to the millions of readers USA Today. He can be reached at libertyuv@hotmail.com.
Deadly Serious March on Washington was a Primer for the March 17 "Stay in Washington Campaign" By Axis of Logic Editorial Jan 29, 2007, 11:48
Then the most remarkable thing happened! We wheeled our stacks of Stay in Washington- March 17 fliers in shopping carts. People responded to the printed announcements with cries of “Yes! We need to do it! ... It’s about time! ... Time for civil disobedience! ... I’ll be there! ... We’ll bring our tents!”.
People, already overladen with paper handouts worked their way to us through the crowd, reaching over the heads of others, asking for our printed material that announced and described the new Stay in Washington mobilization as we passed them out to thousands. Enough with the “symbolic protests”! The people – young and old – of every level of society, ethnic group and color – are ready and want action. People seem appreciate - but have heard enough of the speeches by luminaries lined up by the leaderships of various anti-war coalitions. They want to act.
An International CALL From The TROOPS OUT NOW COALITION :
Troops Out Now Coalition
The Decisive Battle this Spring - The Challenge for the Antiwar Movement March on Washington On Jan. 27 and March 17 (the 4th Anniversary of the War)
WE MUST FORCE CONGRESS TO CUT OFF WAR FUNDING
And we can if we move from symbolic protest to mass resistance
Not One More Dollar for War and Occupation!
Bring ALL the Troops Home Now!
F orcing Congress to vote to cut off further war funding is the defining issue for the antiwar movement this spring and it is a struggle that we can win if we are bold enough to take it seriously.
The Troops Out Now Coalition calls on everyone to join the antiwar march on January 27 ...and come back on March 17 ... and come ready to STAY in DC!
ON MARCH 17, MARCH ON THE PENTAGON --
AND STAY IN WASHINGTON UNTIL THEY CUT OFF WAR FUNDING
An Appeal for Unity in the Antiwar Movement
Our chance of winning are greater if the antiwar coalitions unite! A crucial factor in our ability as a movement to rise to this challenge is the willingness for all antiwar forces nationwide--especially the national coalitions--to renew a commitment to work for unity with each other. We appeal to all antiwar forces to take the high road and work together this Spring. The time has come for us to coordinate our efforts, and avoid competing dates and plans. If we work and plan together--our chances of success will be greater.
M ore than at any time since the start of war, the antiwar movement is in a position to force congress to vote no on war funding. The people are on our side, the momentum is on our side, the whole world is on our side; the only question is whether we have the conviction and the courage to take our struggle against the war from the level of symbolic protest to real mass resistance.
Some time between now and early February, Bush is going to ask Congress to approve between $130 to $200 billion more dollars to finance the war to add to the close to a half a trillion dollars in war funding Congress has approved in a series of votes over the past three and a half years.
Sometime between February and May 2007, Congress will vote nay or yea to this request. This vote will be the most important war vote in Congress since a majority of both Republican and Democratic Party members of Congress voted to authorize the war in Oct. 2002.
Clearly, Congress has the authority to cut off spending for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and effectively make it impossible for the criminal carnage to continue. What makes the next war funding vote different from all the previous ones is that on Nov. 7, people voted to end the war.
As a result of the massive antiwar vote, Democratic Party politicians will take control of both houses of Congress on January 4. When that happens, the authority to either carry out the mandate of the elections to end the war and occupation of Iraq by completely cutting off all war funding or to betray the people by approving more funds to continue it, will shift to the leadership of the Democratic party.
The top Democratic Party leaders in Congress have already indicated that they are preparing to betray the antiwar mandate. Some members of Congress say they will support resolutions introduced in Congress that call for a phased redeployment of troops from Iraq or a time table for withdrawing most troops. But such resolutions are little more than symbolic, half- measures that won't end the war. However, the real fight is the war funding vote and we must force Congress to vote NO.
In the past, members of Congress who claimed to be opposed to the war have justified their votes for war funding by claiming they had to keep up the funding to “support the troops”. It's time for us to reject all excuses and rationalizations for voting for war funding. A vote for war funding is a VOTE FOR WAR. Moreover, voting to approve more funds for war will only ensure that more U.S. troops and many more Iraqis will be killed and maimed.
IN MARCH – WE MUST BE READY TO STAY IN WASHINGTON
We will be in Washington on January 27 and we will come back on March 17. And when we come back in March, this time we must be prepared to stay there in the thousands to force Congress to vote NO on more war funding. If Congress tries to rush a vote on war funding before March 17, this time we must be prepared to come to Washington in mass to make sure that the war funding is voted down.
PAY THE PEOPLES' BILLS - NOT FOR WAR & OCCUPATION; BRING YOUR BILLS WITH YOU TO WASHINGTON
We are asking people to bring their medical, rent, heating and utility bills; student loan bills; credit card bills, and food bills that they can't afford to pay as well as shut-off notices, mortgage foreclosures, eviction notices to the march on Washington. It must be made clear to Congress that feeding more money to the war while more and more people cannot pay for their basic living expenses is a crime. The cost of the war is not the only reason why we oppose the war. We oppose the war because it is an imperialist war for colonial conquest and plunder. Yet the cost of the war is important because it's paid for by money stolen from providing social needs. The money that has paid for death and destruction in Iraq could have gone towards reconstruction in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.
In his famous speech declaring his opposition to the Vietnam war almost 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “It is disgraceful that a Congress that can vote upwards of $35 billion a year for a senseless immoral war in Vietnam cannot vote a weak $2 billion dollars to carry on our all too feeble efforts to bind up the wound of our nation's 35 million poor. This is nothing short of a Congress engaging in political guerilla warfare against the defenseless poor of our nation…”
MARCH AGAINST THE WAR AT HOME STOP RACIST POLICE TERROR - STOP THE RAIDS AGAINST IMMIGRANT WORKERS
As we march to end the war abroad, we must also demand an end to the war at home. We must demand an end to the raids on immigrant workers like the recent massive military raid carried out by thousands of Homeland Security/Immigration and Custom Enforcement police on mostly Latin@ workers at six Swift and Co. meat processing plants. We must demand an end to the racist police brutality and terror that recently killed 23 year-old unarmed Sean Bell in New York City and 93 year-old Kathryn Johnston in Atlanta, both of them African American.
Immediate, Unconditional, & Complete Withdrawal from Iraq--Out Now!
End Colonial Occupation & Imperialist Aggression from Africa to Asia, from Iraq to Palestine, to Afghanistan, to Haiti, to the Philippines, to Puerto Rico
No New Wars Against Iran, Syria, North Korea
Hands Off Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, & Lebanon
Solidarity with Immigrant Workers and Katrina Survivors
Stop the War at Home -- Stop Racist Police Terror -- Stop ICE raids
Military Recruiters Out of Our Schools and Communities -- No Draft -- Education, Not War
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.
