------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Oct. 10, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
GOV'T CHARGES AGAINST YEMINI YOUTHS: SCARE CAMPAIGN AIMS TO DISTRACT FROM GROWING POVERTY By Leslie Feinberg Buffalo, N.Y. There's an important battle being joined here for the hearts and minds of working and oppressed people. It pits war mongering against resistance to the war cry. Bush and the FBI--aided by the willing moneyed media--have created a ballyhoo around the arrests of six young men of Yemeni ancestry, trying to drag sentiments in this increasingly impoverished region towards support for untrammeled Pentagon aggression in the Middle East. But activists here are working hard to let those who will have to kill and be killed in a war know that it only benefits the rich owning class--those who have sucked profits from generations of laborers in this former hub of industry and transportation and are now scouring the globe for more stolen wealth. Blaring headlines accompanied the arrests of the six men in government raids in a nearby, rundown mill town Sept. 13-18, terrifying many in the population. The government claims that during a trip to Pakistan in April-May 2001 for religious training, they traveled to an Al Qaeda-run training camp in Afghanistan. Bev Hiestand, a local leader of the International ANSWER coalition--Act Now to Stop War and End Racism--said she and other activists took to the streets within hours after the arrests hit the headlines. "Fear here has reached fever pitch," Hiestand stressed. "The media and FBI make it seem as though a terrible catastrophe was minutes away from blowing up in our midst. But when you look at the alleged crime of the six, it's association, not any criminal act. "We pointed out that these arrests coincided with the Pentagon deployment of Special Forces troops and a war ship near Yemen's borders. The FBI says they've been watching the six for a year, yet Bush chose to change the national security alert from yellow to orange--supposedly based on the six--on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary." Hiestand explained that her organization had already planned anti-war demonstrations even before the arrests. "At both court appearances for the six we went with signs defending the Yemeni community and denouncing Bush's Middle East war drive. Immediately Yemeni family members and neighbors thanked us and held up our placards. "One reporter told me if I did an interview, be prepared for threats. Well, I have done many interviews that have aired here since Sept. 14. Instead of threats, I have gotten so many calls from individuals who want to know how they can get involved." AN INDEPENDENT POLL The results of this ideological tug of war can be seen on every picket line and rally. On Sept. 28 two rallies were held opposing U.S. plans to invade Iraq and in defense of Palestinian freedom and local Arab communities. Many individuals drove, walked or bicycled past the anti- war, anti-racist protesters. At least one man on a bike spit in the direction of rally-goers and their children. Several flipped a hand gesture widely recognized as condemnation. One motorist screamed "Get a life!" as she passed people whose anti-war efforts were trying to save many lives. But more significant is that, after all the biased publicity, the majority of those who expressed their reaction to the demonstrations offered support. Drivers honked car horns and waved with a smile. Many others flashed a hand gesture more widely recognized around the world as heartfelt agreement--a clenched fist. "Right on!" some shouted from car windows. "I agree with you" and "Thank you" said several pedestrians. Throughout the day members of ANSWER had taped up bright green posters all over the city that said in large, bold lettering, "NO WAR!" and included the coalition's local phone number. These squads reported backing from people who saw the glowing posters--comments like "Damn straight," "You got that right" and "Good for you!" Activists here have been mobilizing for the massive anti-war protest in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26. They say that stacks of leaflets left at local coffee hangouts and progressive bookstores were picked up and read the moment they hit the countertops. Many people are calling and emailing for bus tickets to D.C. The local coalition here has already had to reserve a second bus for the long trip. This is all in sharp contrast to the media war propaganda claiming that for every 100 people polled, 110 are shoulder- to-shoulder with Dubya on his war drive. The work and visibility of the anti-war movement here is giving courage and voice to those who want to end Bush's "endless war." But it is also raising consciousness that would not ascend without this political combat. Want to be part of this burgeoning movement? Direct your browser to www.internationalanswer.org. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
