Sept 28th 350,000 people protested against a war with Iraq in London. There were 2 arrests. On the same day in Washington, DC there was a multi issue protest against the IMF, War with Iraq and other peace and justice issues. There were less than 10,000 protesting, possibly less than 5,000 protesting yet 650 people were arrested. The vast majority of arrests were for no reason but blocking traffic. This preordained, unstoppable war with Iraq, which will include the deaths of many American soldiers including soldiers who are sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren of Minnesotans is going to generate equal and probably more outrage and protests than the Viet Nam War. What will be the City of Minneapolis' policy relative to protests? Will we be a Washington, DC or a London, England? Will we allow for the peaceful yet inconvenient protests of mass numbers of people to protect American and Iraqi lives? Or will you bring out the billy clubs, tear gas, mace and plastic handcuffs? Please try to think outside the box on this issue. Please remember that it was the American citizen's objection to the Viet Nam War that stopped the war and saved the lives of thousands of more American soldiers and the lives of untold numbers of innocent Vietnamese. This is a progressive City Council lets see a progressive response to these protests. A pro American response. A pro peace response. The Mayor of London was a lead speaker at the London Protest. Let's see the Mayor and City Council of Minneapolis at these protests for Peace and Life. Participate in the October 7th rally at the Federal Building. Instruct the Minneapolis Police to only arrest those who are maliciously damaging property or initiating violence. These protests have already begun but will increase this week. Let Minnesotans come out and stand up and say "NOT IN OUR NAME"!!!
Stacey Peacock
