------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the April 3, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
ANTI-WAR ANGER IN BALTIMORE AS LOCAL MARINE DIES IN IRAQ
By Sharon Black Baltimore
One of the first U.S. troops killed in the war against Iraq was Kendall Waters-Bey, a Marine from Northeast Baltimore. In this working class neighborhood of brick row houses, there is anger, pain and tears.
His four sisters have been openly critical of President Bush and the war. In an interview with Baltimore Sun staff reporters, Michelle Waters, the oldest sister, proclaimed, "It's all for nothing, that war could have been prevented. Now we're out of a brother. Bush is not out of a brother. We are."
Nakia Waters told the newspaper, "This war is all about oil and money. It's about greed. [Bush] ought to send his daughters over there to fight."
This sentiment is echoed everywhere in Baltimore's working class and poor communities, say volunteers of ANSWER--Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. They took a similar message to both East and West Baltimore on March 22.
Armed with sound systems, decorated cars and flyers entitled "Don't Let Our Loved Ones Die for Oil Profits," the group drove through the city to advertise a community and labor rally to stop Bush's war. Baltimore's neighborhoods are mostly Black and impoverished, reflecting decades of racism and cuts in services.
Andre Powell, an ANSWER volunteer and a union organizer, spoke to the people: "The rich will not fight and die in this war. Instead it will be the sons and daughters of the workers and poor who will die--the majority who joined the armed forces to learn a skill or receive an education."
He continued, "This war is one of genocide against the Iraqi people. It will include not only massive bombing but also long-term occupation and colonial rule. Our children and loved ones will be called on to fight door-to-door against people who are trying to defend their country from invasion."
Renee Washington is a mother of five children, one of whom is presently in the service. She is also related to Kendall Waters-Bey's mother. She fought to hold back her anger as she added, "We have had to endure cutbacks in our schools, racism in the street, and now our youth will be forced to die for the oil companies." Washington distributed flyers while Powell announced the 3 p.m. rally.
The car caravan was quickly surrounded by a massive show of police, including 14 cars filled with SWAT teams and regular cops, several brigades of motorcycle police, four unmarked police cars and a helicopter. The intimidation did not stop the car caravan.
Both the car caravan and police converged at the Unity United Methodist Church, a historic African American church in Baltimore's Westside where the rally was to take place. The police cordoned off the street in front of the church, blocking access to the rally.
Despite this police intimidation, the church was filled. Larry Holmes, a national coordinator for ANSWER, brought the group to its feet as he called for action and resistance to the war. Dr. Kwame O. Abayomi, the pastor of Unity United Methodist Church, hosted the gathering. Abayomi represents the 6th District in the Baltimore City Council, where he has introduced a resolution against the war. n
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