------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Jan. 16, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
HUGE ANTI-WAR PROTESTS EXPECTED IN D.C., S.F.: WAR MOVES SPUR ON JAN. 18- 19 MOBILIZATIONS By Monica Moorehead As the Bush administration and the Pentagon continue their massive military build-up in the Gulf region in preparation for a war against Iraq, anti-war forces in the U.S. are intensifying their organizing efforts for national marches and rallies in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco on Jan. 18. Tens of thousands of GIs, women and men, are being forced to leave their loved ones to fight and possibly die or be wounded in a war for Big Oil profits. Anti-war forces say this is intolerable and will be taking to the streets to demand "Money for jobs and human needs, not to kill the Iraqi people." The demonstrations could not have come at a more crucial time. Just nine days later, on Jan. 27, United Nations inspectors are scheduled to present their final report to the UN Security Council on whether they have found any "weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq. The day after that, President George W. Bush will give his State of the Union address, which may be an announcement of U.S. military intentions or actions. So far the inspectors say that their efforts, which began in early October, have not unearthed any substantial proof of chemical, nuclear or biological weapons. However, the U.S. and Britain continue to accuse the Saddam Hussein government of harboring and developing such weapons. The lack of evidence has not stopped the U.S. from mobilizing the largest deployment of troops and weaponry since the first Gulf War in 1991. An estimated 100,000 U.S. troops, along with the most technologically sophisticated aircraft carriers, airplanes, armored tanks and artillery numbered in the thousands, are in the area or making their way towards Iraq. The world sees this as proof that the Bush administration has been hell bent to illegally overthrow the Iraqi government at all cost, and that the inspections have just been a smokescreen. The International Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) coalition made the call for the Jan. 18 mobilization following anti-war demonstrations on Oct. 26 that brought out 200,000 people in Washington and 100,000 in San Francisco. January 18 coincides with the holiday weekend commemorating the birthday of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Just a year before his assassination in 1968, Dr. King had made several impassioned speeches calling for the U.S. military to withdraw from the genocidal war in Vietnam. King made the connections between the growing poverty at home and the U.S. war abroad. GROWING POVERTY AS BILLIONS ARE SPENT ON WAR King's words ring as true today as they did then. While the U.S. economy continues to deteriorate, the warmongers in the White House and Pentagon will be spending tens of billions of dollars for war. All polls indicate that at least two-thirds of the U.S. population do not want a war with Iraq and view the loss of job security, mass layoffs, health benefits and other human needs as main priorities. These sentiments are being ignored and downplayed by the Bush regime, whose number one concern is to capture the Iraqi oil fields and deepen U.S. geopolitical hegemony in this strategic region. In this political context, the Jan. 18 action has drawn support from a broad array of progressive forces. The opening rally at the Capitol will feature speeches by Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney; actors Jessica Langeand Mike Farrell; former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark; Elizabeth McAlister of Jonah House and partner of the late Philip Berrigan; Brenda Stokely, president of District Council 1707 AFSCME; Bill Fletcher, co- chair of United for Peace; Peta Lindsay, a Howard University student and ANSWER youth and student coordinator; Rev. Herbert Daughtry of the House of the Lord church in Brooklyn; and Ron Kovic, Vietnam veteran and author of "Born on the Fourth of July." A taped message from political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal will also be played. Representatives of the organizations that make up the ANSWER steering committee--such as Bayan, Free Palestine Alliance, Mexico Solidarity Network, Korea Truth Commission, Nicaragua Network, Partnership for Civil Justice, Muslim Students Association of the U.S. & Canada, IFCO/Pastors for Peace and International Action Center--will also be featured on the program. Cultural presentations will include Chumbawamba and Patti Smith. After the rally, the huge crowd will march to the Washington Navy Yard, a large military complex located in the heart of one of Washington's working class communities. Sarah Friedman, an ANSWER organizer based in Washington, told WW, "The response to the Jan. 18 mobilization has been growing by leaps and bounds since the end of the holidays. Our office is deluged with phone calls from all over the country, especially those very far away from D.C. For instance, an organizer who traveled to the Oct. 26 rally in Washington from Oklahoma is organizing several buses for Jan. 18. At least two buses are coming from Iowa. "On Oct. 26, there was a local action in Denver. Now, 75 activists are planning to charter a plane from Colorado to attend the event here on Jan. 18. Two buses are being organized from Iowa. At least three cities in Texas are organizing for Jan. 18. So far, three buses are being organized out of Atlanta. "On Oct. 26, one statewide bus came from Florida. Now we hear that three statewide buses are being organized. There are more organizing centers throughout Michigan than before. "This is just an amazing development when you consider how much money a bus and a plane cost someone who has to travel across the country to get to Washington. Some of these activists will be spending many hours, even days to come to D.C. It speaks volumes to how deeply the significance of this demonstration is being felt. "People want to do everything possible to stop this war before it starts." At this writing, over 150 cities in 40 states are organizing for the Washington and San Francisco actions. Protests are also planned in least 18 other countries. STUDENT AND YOUTH MARCH ON JAN. 19 ANSWER youth organizers have issued a call for a youth and student march on Sunday, Jan. 19, that will gather at 11 a.m. "at the Department of In- Justice (Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th and 10th NW) to protest the attacks against the Arab and Muslim communities, including the recent mass arrests in California. Many of these violations are taking place within our own schools as more and more universities are complying with FBI and INS efforts to gather information, interrogate, detain and deport thousands of people. "March to the Presidential Palace (White House) for a Youth and Student Weapons Inspection. If George Bush believes that the UN weapons inspectors have the right to look into every building in Iraq, then we should have a right to check out his 'Presidential Palace.' "It's our schools that have gone without funding and it's our social programs that have been cut to pay for the U.S. government's weapons of mass destruction." The youth statement cites an estimate made by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences that a new war in Iraq could cost the U.S. up to almost $2,000,000,000,000--$2 trillion--over 10 years if it disrupted world oil markets and prompted a recession. "Let's see if Bush provides full and complete disclosure! JOIN US TO SAY: No War on Iraq! Disarm the Pentagon! Stop the attacks on the Muslim and Arab communities! SMASH war and racism," the statement concludes. A planning meeting for the Jan. 19 action has been called for Saturday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren (4th St. and North Carolina Ave. SE), which is in walking distance from the demonstration. Snacks will be provided at the meeting. Those interested in volunteering for tasks at these mobilizations, getting more information or making a financial contribution can call the ANSWER office at (202) 544-3389, download leaflets and updates from internationalANSWER.org, or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] n - 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 wwnews- [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. 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