------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Jan. 23, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
"WE NEED A WAR AT HOME, NOT IN IRAQ" By Beth Semmer Chicago To great applause, Aaron Patterson told more than 2,000 anti-war demonstrators in Federal Plaza here, "I don't know why the U.S. wants to declare war on Saddam Hussein when we need a war here at home against Dick Devine and Richard Daley." It was Jan. 11 and Patterson hadn't slept since his release from death row the day before. He is one of four prisoners pardoned by Illinois Gov. George Ryan after their confessions were shown to be based on brutal torture--including beatings, electric shock and suffocation--by the Chicago police. Patterson was referring to the Cook County state's attorney and the current mayor of Chicago, who used to hold that post. Both Devine and Daley have relentlessly fought efforts to investigate charges of wrongful convictions and police torture under their watches. More than 60 anti-war, international solidarity, religious, grassroots and community groups had organized and endorsed the demonstration. When the march set off from Federal Plaza, accompanied by drums and chanting, it filled State Street and Michigan Avenue in the heart of downtown Chicago, getting a positive response from the public. The Chicago demonstration was a building action for the national Jan. 18 mobilizations in Washington and San Francisco called by the Inter national ANSWER coalition. During the rally Chicago ANSWER sold enough tickets to fill an entire bus for Jan. 18. Just for people to take off their gloves in the bone- chilling cold was an ordeal, but organizers collected more than $1,100 above expenses to help buy tickets for individuals who couldn't afford the trip to Washington. The Rev. Paul Jakes, Jr., a mayoral candidate and long-time activist who recently helped form an anti-war committee of 100 churches and faith- based organizations, declared, "The people of Chicago do not support a war, and we will fight to stop it." Other rally speakers represented struggles for national liberation in Palestine, Colombia, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. They reminded the anti-war protesters of the U.S. role in oppressing people around the world. Monica Roundtree from Chicago ANSWER, whose father served time in the stockade for struggling against the Vietnam War and racism, emphasized, "The best way to protect the GIs is to bring them home. Let's stop this war before it starts." - 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. 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]>
