The Encampment to Stop the War has moved to the streets!
Youth activists, veterans, and antiwar organizers have taken the street near Constitution Ave., Pennsylvania Ave., and 4th St. NW in the middle of Washington, D.C. Several hundred people have completely shut down the street, including people from as far away as Oregon and Florida. They intend to keep the street closed for as long as possible.
Hundreds of supporters have gathered on the sidewalks, as youth are erecting tents from the Encampment in the middle of the street.
They are asking for the progressive and antiwar community in the area to come out and support them. Bring food, water, signs, and join youth from across the U.S. who are moving from protest to resistance to shut down the war.
For more information, or to find out how you can help, call 202-821-3686.
Thousands of people are joining us here at the Encampment, despite efforts by the police to block access to the rally.
We have been informed that police have blocked an entire highway into the city in order to stop the buses that are coming from dozens of organizing centers.We have been on the phone with organizers, planning alternate routes into the city tobypass. We are determined not to let the police block the outpour of resistance and opposition to Bush's criminal war.
The mall in front of Congress is full of thousands of activists, some from as far away as Washington State and Hawaii .
The march is stepping off in just a few minutes, and we've just heard that a group of youth are planning civil disobedience at the end of the march. Details and updates to follow.
Encampment Youth Take the Streets: Demand Troops Out Now!
About 50 youth just returned to the Encampment from a militant march through the streets of Washington. They took the streets as they marched from the Department of Education to focus on the lack of money for education; to the Department of Justice to demand an end to police brutality and justice for the Jena 6; to a military recruiters office to protest the recruitment of youth to kill and die for wars of profit; and finally to the Capitol building to say "No Justice, No Peace! U.S. Out of the Middle East."
Although they were pursued by more than a dozen police vehicles, they managed to hold the street for about 20 blocks.
There were no arrests -- in fact the march returned to the Encampment with more youth than they started with, as several groups of bypassers joined the march along the way.
Carlos Arredondo erecting Camp Alex, in honor of his son who was killed by President Bush's war in Iraq.
Organizers from the Common Ground Collective have set up their tent at the Encampment site to demand justice for Katrina/Rita survivors. Bush and Congress are spending $750 million every day on the criminal war in Iraq but have done nothing to help the people displaced by the hurricanes to return to their homes.
Bulletin board at the Encampment
Preparing for tomorrow's march.
Donna Smith, Larry Smith and Adrian Campbell from the movie SiCKO are preparing for the candlelight vigil to remember all those who have died because of lack of health care.
Larry Holmes, a national leader of the Troops Out Now Coalition preparing placards for tomorrow's march.
Gather at reflecting pool on west side of Capitol at 11 a.m for rally
March will step off between 1 and 2 pm, and will pass by the Department of Health and Human Resources, FEMA headquarters and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency headquarters before returning to the Capitol for an ending rally. The purpose of this route is to draw attention to the resources that should be invested in health care instead of being spent on war; the ongoing injustices in the wake of Hurricane Katrina; and the campaign against immigrants.
Volunteers needed at 8:30 am.
Nearest METRO stop: Federal Center SW (on Blue line and Orange line)
Bus dropoff: west side of 3rd Street between Constitution and Independence (which is at the site of the Encampment to Stop the War) Bus pickup: same location. Buses should make their own parking arrangements at Union Station garage, 40 Massachusetts Ave NE (3 blocks from the rally and march site). Union Station information: 202-371-9441.
Music with a message hit Washington this week as anti-war activists hosted a concert series to raise awareness for their cause.
"Rock the Rulers" is part of a week-long encampment next to the Capitol's West Side reflecting pool hosted by the Troops Out Now Coalition, a New York City-based grassroots movement, along with Artists and Activists United for Peace.
The movement will hit its peak Saturday, with a march beginning at noon at the Capitol. This is the second encampment this year for Troops Out Now, who teamed up with other organizations to reach a broader range of supporters through music and entertainment.
"We want to make the connection between the war abroad and the war at home," said Troops Out Now Media Liaison LeilLani Dowell. "We realize that culture is a very important part of this too."
Dowell and other organizers and volunteers spent the week putting up tents, booths, and a small stage to vie for attention while debates for war funding rage in Capitol Hill.
"They could force the issue," said Dowell, referring to the Democrats elected to Congress last November. "We are trying to hold them accountable."
The event attracted a wide variety of visitors. Topics of interest brought up at tables and during the entertainment include support for Katrina survivors, Code Pink (a movement of women against war in Iraq), immigrant workers' rights, money for health care, and education.
Each night, from 8 p.m. until midnight, musicians from around the country performed on stage, expressing frustrations and hopes for peace. Though many performers are scheduled for specific slots throughout the week, organizers encourage anyone to come and share their art and passions on stage.
Carol Ann Moccio ’10 is one of the people attracted to the encampment by the prospect of joining music with the anti-war movement. A self-proclaimed Beatles fan and peace activist, Moccio said she found out about "Rock the Rulers" after seeing the movie "Across the Universe" with friends. The Beatles-inspired musical featured the struggle of young Americans during the Vietnam War as they attempted to give peace a chance.
"I was like 'Wow, I want to continue that'," said Moccio. "Hopefully our generation can be as motivated as theirs."
Moccio said looking up "D.C. peace marches" on the Internet led her to the "Rock the Rulers" Web site.
Dowell said she thinks the currently college-aged generation and older ones are fed up with war and are responding to the music.
"We've seen a lot more people come through than the last time," she said. "It's time to heighten the struggle as much as possible."
Moccio said that she thinks that the appeal of music is going to help more students identify with the cause.
"Music is something that is special for everyone," she said, noting that many students may not be incredibly passionate about the anti-war movement, but will find the music a great incentive to become involved.
Michelle Dar of Portland, Ore., biked across the country with her partner and three daughters to participate in the protests. They were part of the "bike for peace" that ended in Washington with participants getting involved in actions for peace.
"We refuse to be silent," Dar said. "We'll put our bodies and our families out there."
Dar says that she and her family have been enjoying the nightly music outside the Capitol. Her daughter Tala danced and sang along to the Black Eyed Pea's "Where is the Love?" on stage Tuesday night. Dar finds the enthusiasm of those at the encampment empowering.
"It's tremendously inspiring, and reminds us why we are here," Dar said. "It gives us the courage to do more. The people have had enough. The people are rising up."
Contacts: Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org Deanna Taylor, Co-chair, Green Party Peace Action Committee (GPAX), 801-631-2998, deesings@xmission.com Ann Wilcox, GPAX, 202-441-3265, wilcox_ann@yahoo.com
Greens, urging immediate withdrawal of all US forces from Iraq, blast Clinton, Obama, and Edwards for refusing to guarantee withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq by 2013
Reports, upcoming events at the Encampments to End the War in DC and other cities
WASHINGTON , DC — Green Party leaders participating in the week-long Encampment to End the War in Washington, DC and other cities across the US pressed their demands for an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, with a plea to Congress to cancel further war spending.
The events, which will culminate in a march and rally on Saturday, September 29, have been organized by the Troops Out Now Coalition <http://www.troopsoutnow.org>, of which the Green Party is a member.
On Friday, video interviews with Greens at the DC encampment will posted on line at the blog page <http://gpax.wordpress.com> of the Green Party’s Peace Action Committee (GPAX).
Summary of Green positions on the war:
The Green Party of the United States has called for full and immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, the occupation of which is entering its sixth year; the party opposes a US military attack on Iran and warns Americans not to believe the new flood of deceptive war propaganda. (more…)
Usavior, from Black Waxx Recordings and Filmworks and Artists and Activists United for Peace, and Sharon Eolis, an activist with the International Action Center and the Healthcare Not Warfare Campaign.
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."
Politics and protest lost on modern youth By Saira Khan Senior Staff Writer
Do you ever feel that you were born too late? That perhaps you should have been born in a different era? Well, I do. I was born in a very boring era, the 1980s. I missed out on the 60s and 70s--the great music, the sexy rock stars, the fashion, the political movements, and the wonderful leaders and figures that could enchant an arena of people with their powerful words. People such as John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X were known to be great orators with very commanding presences. I envy our elders who were able to witness their charm, charisma, and presence first hand. Our generation, unfortunately, has seen no such commanding political activists.
I think it is safe to say that, had I been around for the 60s, I would have been a well-rounded woman. I would have been at Woodstock and rallying with the Students for a Democratic Society in April of 1965, the first major anti-war rally that took place in Washington. That's what I love the most about that era--the youth of America were united in their efforts against the war. Students nowadays don't have a third of the passion that our parents, aunts, uncles, and/or grandparents had.
To be fair, I have to admit I have not been very politically active either. Aside from voting against the monster known as the Bush Administration in 2004 and writing a few articles bashing it, I have not done much to voice my concerns. However, I am proud to say that that will change after this coming weekend. I will be attending my first ever war protest in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, September 29.
A few weeks ago I came across a single flier sitting in the Commons reading "STOP THE WAR NOW." The flier advertised a week-long demonstration that is taking place right now in Washington (September 22-29) and a parallel one taking place in Los Angeles. Between these dates you will be able to see and participate in music, speeches, and all sorts of creative art protesting the "War on Terror." The week will end on with a mass march. It is expected that more than 100 buses and numerous vans and cars will be arriving at the nation's capital to attend the demonstration. I definitely plan on being there. And, if you do not support the war, then so should you.
Support for the war is at an all-time low. The Washington Post reported the results of a survey they conducted: about three-quarters of Americans feel that the number of casualties in Iraq is "unacceptable," two-thirds say the U.S. military is "bogged down," roughly 6 out of 10 say the war "was not worth fighting," and about four out of ten Americans believe that the Iraq war is becoming similar to the experience in Vietnam.
We have entered a period where the American population is more united that it has is ever been in regard to this war. Therefore, it is imperative for all of you that share the same sentiments of the thousands of people who are at this very moment camping out in Washington and doing their bit to end the bloodshed, to come out and join the march and demonstrations. We need to give a face to our anger, our antiwar rage, and let that face be mine, and yours, and of the person next you, and so on. Come out on the 29th and together let's try and bring the troops home.
To get involved, contact the Baltimore All People's Congress at (410)467-6132 for information regarding transport or visit www.TroopsOutNow.org. To volunteer with the Troops Out Now Coalition call (212)633-6646). Some of the endorsers for this march include: Rep. Cynthia McKinney, Donna Smith from the movie Sicko, All Peoples Congress, Baltimore, MD, Black Radical Congress, and Code Pink.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: LeiLani Dowell 1-917-701-7593 Dustin Langley 1-646-354-8056 Frank Neisser 1-617-792-8136 http://troopsoutnow.org
When: Monday, September 24, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Anti-war Encampment on the West Side of the Capitol Reflection Pool, near 3rd Street on the Capitol Mall
THE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS HAVE THE POWER TO CUT OFF WAR FUNDING--THE MOVEMENT MUST MAKE THEM DO IT
MARCH ON WASHINGTON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 STOP THE WAR BY CUTTING OFF WAR FUNDING
The Troops Out Now Coalition (TONC) will be holding a press conference on Monday, Sept. 24 at 3 pm at the site of a weeklong anti-war Encampment, on the Capitol mall at the west side of the reflection pool.
Participants in Monday's press conference will include:
• Adam Kokesh, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and other Iraq veterans • Members of the Hoffman family, which traveled 4,500 miles by bicycle from Portland, Oregon to attend the Encampment • Rev. Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus • Nana Soul, Artists and Activists United for Peace • Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, Plymouth Congregational Church, DC • Anne Wright, career Army veteran and former State Dept. official • Larry Holmes, Vietnam War GI resister and spokesperson for TONC • Representatives from Code Pink, the Green Party, the student movement, labor and the community.
This week, Congress begins preparation for voting on President Bush and the Pentagon's request for $200 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Saturday, Sept. 29, thousands will gather at the anti-war Encampment to march and demand that not one more dollar be approved for war.
TONC spokesperson Larry Holmes said: "The Democrats in Congress don't need enough votes to override a presidential veto in order to cut off all war funding. All the leadership of Congress has to do is simply keep any vote on war funding from coming to the floor, or even getting out of the Senate or House Appropriations committees."
Participants at the press conference will discuss plans for the Sept. 29 march and the five days of action at the Encampment before the big march.
There will be a volunteers outreach meeting this week on Wednesday at 7PM. Some of us will already be in Washington at the Encampment. We still need to try to do last minute leafleting at rush hour. When we were out leafleting at Times Square on Saturday afternoon, we met some people who decided to go to March. One man who is an EMS worker came back to tell us that he had called in to his work to get the day off and it was granted.
We will also need many volunteers for many tasks at the demonstration on September 29th. If you are able to take on a task, please come to the table with the "Volunteer sign-in" sign.
Remember to purchase your bus tickets if you haven't already. .
Schedule for Encampment to Stop the War: Sept 22-29
Schedule for Encampment to Stop the War: Sept 22-29
Below is a preliminary schedule of events for the Encampment to Stop the War, beginning on Saturday, September 22: ACTIONS ALL WEEK
People from around the country will start arriving on Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23. The Encampment will expand to major actions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, culminating in a mass march on Saturday, September 29.
Saturday, 9/22 & Sunday 9/23 Help erect scaffolding for a giant billboard demanding: 'Congress: Stop Funding the War - Fund Peoples' Needs.' Music and work at the site on tents, canopies, and displays. Crews will be doing outreach throughout neighborhoods in the DC/Baltimore area with sound cars and leafleting brigades.
Monday, 9/24 & Tuesday, 9/25 Actions demanding: - Impeachment of Bush & Cheney for War Crimes - Stop War on Iran - action and a strategy meeting on Emergency Network to focus on the growing threat of a U.S. attack on Iran
Wednesday, 9/26 - Turn up the heat Actions TBA in the halls and offices of Congress to confront their political complicity in the war - Funding the war is a war crime.
Thursday, 9/27 - Stop the War at Home Day - Katrina survivors from New Orleans & Immigrant Rights activists from around the country organizing actions challenging FEMA & ICE. Events at the Encampment focusing on funding people's needs, not war.
Friday, 9/28 - Youth actions challenge military recruiters, war funding & police repression. 'Money for Education, NOT War.'
- Join Evening Vigil with SiCKO cast members at the Lincoln Memorial to remember those who died because they were denied health care.
- A concert of hip-hop and spoken word at the Encampment with BAYAN Philippine Alliance to oppose U.S. military in the Philippines.
Other actions & meetings TBA. Set up, banner & sign making, outreach & organizing all day.
The Troops Out Now coalition has requested legal support from the progressive legal community for their encampment & march in Washington DC from Sept 22-29 . We especially need legal observers for the Sept 29th march.
If you are available to be in DC anytime during the or be on-call, or have additional questions, please contact Imani Henry imani@troopsoutnow.org with your availability and contact information. There is a need for on-call attorneys the entire week, but especially on the 29th.
CALL FOR HOUSING
Housing is desperately needed for encampment participants. City policy prevents participants from actually sleeping on the campsite. Therefore, we need to find free and cheap housing in/around DC for the period of the encampment, in order to make participation in the encampment as broad as possible.
If you can share any space (bed, floorspace, sofa/bed) in your apartment, house, organization or other space, please email housing@troopsoutnow.org. If you are unable to email, please call (917) 279-9720.
Please try to include at least the following information in your email:
* Your Name & Email * Your phone (& best times to call) * Your location * How many people you can house, and what dates (We mainly need housing starting 9/21, but may need some housing earlier for key organizers)
Other helpful information:
* Nearest Metro line/station * Sleeping conditions ("i.e. 1 queen bed plus floorspace for 3 sleeping bags") * Other considerations (i.e. "I have cats/dogs", "It is a 4th-floor walk-up", "Not near any public transportation", etc.)
Drivers/Cars Needed
Attention drivers with vehicles:
If you live in and/or are familiar with the DC-metro area, your help is greatly needed. We will need experienced drivers during then week, to help transport people to/from motels, food from restaurants, equipment, and various other events. If you have availability during the encampment, to help out with this task please contact us at logistics@troopsoutnow.org with the following information:
* Your name and email * Your phone(s) and best times to call * Your Availability to drive from 9/21 to 9/30 * Your vehicle type / how many it seats * Storage space in vehicle.
Other helpful information:
* Your location / distance from Downtown DC
Even if you do not have much time available, but can make your vehicle available, we would greatly appreciate it, as that would greatly reduce rental costs.
Call for Medical Workers for S29 and the Encampment
As part of the preparations for the encampment and the march and rally, we are asking for volunteer health care workers who are doctors, nurses, first aiders and medics to assist at the first aide tent at the encampment and at the demonstration on Saturday.
We will have a bus at the back of the march that will pick up people who are unable to walk the march route. This vichicle will have water and first aide equipment. There will be an orientation the morning of the march.
If you are able to help out please call the International Action Center at 212-633-6646 and ask for or leave a message for Sharon Eolis. You may also email sharone@wwpublish.com.
Namibia Donadio, youth organizer for Troops Out Now and FIST (Fight Imperialism, Stand Together), discussed the struggle for encampment permits at the LA Federal Buildings and the September 29 demonstration to Stop the War - at home AND in Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere.
Donadio stressed that the encampment and march will go on as planned! Also interviewed was Fernando Suarez whose son was killed in Iraq. Suarez also spoke at the TONC press conference at the Veterans' Cemetery. Listen to the interview on Enfoque Latino con Ruben Tapia at
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.
