----- Original Message ----- From: Marvin Wingfield <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 10:13 PM Subject: [iac-disc.] August 5-7 Actions on Iraq ADC Update Anti-Sanctions Movement Demonstrates Strength and High Spirits The movement to end the UN economic sanctions and the U.S. bombing of Iraq showed renewed strength this weekend, through teach-ins and a mass march and rally, culminating today with the arrest of 83 protesters for acts of civil disobedience at the White House. Hundreds of anti-sanctions activists marched from an interfaith religious service at the Lincoln Memorial to a rally at the White House. They stood for hours in a torrential all-day downpour, testifying to the strength of their commitment to end the sanctions. The weekend of actions was held on the 10th anniversary of the imposition of sanctions in 1990 and the 55th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. Ten years of economic sanctions have killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, more people than were killed by the atomic bomb at Hiroshima. Protesters argued that sanctions have become another deadly weapon of mass destruction. A Hiroshima survivor linked the experience of Japanese in 1945 with the suffering of the Iraqi people today. Presidential candidate Ralph Nader called for the immediate lifting of economic sanctions. Folksinger Pete Seeger led the crowd in classic anti-war songs. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), one of the strongest voices in Congress calling for the lifting of sanctions, took time from his re-election campaign to put present and future administration officials on notice of the growing opposition to sanctions among members of Congress. Rev. James Lawson evoked the spirit of the African-American civil rights movement and its tradition of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. Iraqi physician Ghada Alasaly stressed the drastic humanitarian crisis and medical needs she has attempted to cope with at home. British Member of Parliament George Galloway called for greater international solidarity in opposition to the sanctions. Today, Catholic Bishop Thomas Gumbleton led 83 protesters in acts of symbolic civil disobedience in front of the White House, while hundreds of supporters cheered and applauded as people were arrested, handcuffed, and driven off to jail. This was the largest number of people to date arrested for resisting the sanctions. The composition of the speakers and the crowd reflected the diverse make-up of the anti-sanctions movement. Young women from the Bruderhof Christian community in gingham dresses and head scarves mixed with Washington area Jewish peace activists and peacekeepers from African American mosques. Veterans of peace and human rights movements brought their experience and expertise to a smoothly carried out series of actions during the weekend. ADC members drove from Chicago, New York, Connecticut, Philadelphia, and North Carolina to join ADC and other Arab American activists from the Washington area. The weekend of actions was initiated by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Voices in the Wilderness. Key organizers included Stephanie Schaudel, whose services were donated by the Church of the Brethren, and volunteer Raed Battah. The Education for Peace in Iraq Center provided office space and, together with several Washington area Muslim organizations, gave vital logistical support. ADC staffers served on the planning committee and played a key role in outreach to the press and in mobilizing the Arab American community. Similar events were held in other cities, including San Francisco, Denver, Houston, New York, London and elsewhere. Local ADC chapters in several cities took part in organizing the local actions. In Baghdad, Kathy Kelly and others from Voices went on a three-day fast against the sanctions. During the weekend, representatives of local coalitions and national organizations met to plan how to strengthen the anti-sanctions movement and build more effective working relationships. Plans for future actions are already in the works. ADC will make sure you are kept informed as plans are firmed up. --------------------------------------------------------------------<e|- Free Worldwide Calling with Firetalk! Click Here: http://click.egroups.com/1/5481/6/_/790251/_/965684966/ --------------------------------------------------------------------|e>- ------------------------------------------------- *** Iraq Action Coalition Discussion Forum *** http://iraqaction.org/discussion.html ------------------------------------ *To Post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *To Subscribe, send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * To see the List Guidelines, go to: http://iraqaction.org/discussion.html *Any questions, contact the List Moderator at [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----------------------------------------------
