------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Feb. 20, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
WORLDWIDE PROTESTS SAY: STOP THE WAR Next: Converge on the White House March 1 By Leslie Feinberg All told, millions are expected to pour into the streets of towns and cities across the United States and around the world on Feb. 15-16. Their clear, strong opposition to military violence against the people of Iraq has been ignored by the White House, Pentagon and Wall Street. So they will raise their collective voices, and make their will to resist a material obstacle in the path of the war machine. Now what's next? Where do progressive, clear-thinking individuals go in the days ahead to harness their horror and anger, with others, to pull this country back from the brink of full-scale war against the people of a small, largely disarmed, oil-rich country? Just as the Commander in Chief and his brass are mustering their armies, the grassroots movement is feverishly organizing its forces to leash the dogs of war. Circle March 1 on the calendar: Converge on the White House. As hell-bent as President George W. Bush and his generals are in their rush to war, the anti-war movement here, bolstered by the support of the overwhelming majority of the people in the world, is determined to try and stop the warlords in Washington before a full-scale assault can begin. The International ANSWER coalition--Act Now to Stop War & End Racism-- is calling on every single person who possibly can get there to be in Washington on March 1 at noon in front of the White House--the Capital of War. This emergency convergence of anti-war sentiment, two weeks after the Feb. 15-16 local and regional actions, is meant to keep up the pressure as Washington nears what is being described as the likely start date for a war of conquest. 'WHAT IF WAR BREAKS OUT SUDDENLY?' If war breaks out sooner, a "day after" emergency response is ready to be set in motion. To ensure no business as usual, a countrywide "walkout and stay-away" is called for the morning after. Be prepared to gather with your fellow workers and/or students and lead a walkout against the war. Plans for protests at noon and at 5 p.m. that day are already taking shape in many cities. Check the ANSWER web site-- www.internationalanswer.org. There's a cyber form that can be filled out so that your local plans are listed. The stay-away: Everyone who can stay home from work or school that morning is asked to leaflet all morning to bring fresh forces to the emergency noon and/or 5 p.m. rallies. Leaflets can be downloaded from the ANSWER Web site. The walk-out: Those who do go to their jobs and classes are asked to leaflet there and encourage others to leave in time for noontime demonstrations. 'WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?' A call to make Black History Month a Black Protest for Peace month has gone out far and wide. The historic Feb. 15-16 rallies are a component of an entire week of anti-war picket lines, rallies and teach-ins from coast to coast. This week of resistance, Feb. 13-21, culminates in a Coordinated Day of Resistance, including student actions. On Feb. 21, the 38th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, anti-war youth will rally at the White House at 5 p.m. to say "Hell no! We won't go!" Some students plan a school walkout that day. Finally, cast a vote against the war with a click of your computer mouse at www.VoteNoWar.org. Encourage others to do so, too. - 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]>
