Purge Not Surge
• Bush & Congress: Enough is Enough! End the War Now!
Bush & Congress: Enough is Enough!
End the War Now!
Tens of thousands of people from across the country converged on Washington, D.C. to put President George W. Bush and Congress on notice: “We have had enough. We demand an end to the war now. We want all the troops home now!” There is no debate, no confusion. It is not a matter of simply opposing an escalation. On the contrary the many signs calling for impeachment and Purge Not Surge made clear that the effort by Bush and top Democrats to divert resistance to simply opposing escalation of the war rather than the war itself is not succeeding. The sentiment to impeach Bush for war crimes was very broad as was the refusal to accept anything less than an end to the war now and no more aggressive wars, against Iran, Cuba or any other country.
The demonstration, estimated by organizers at more than 100,000, brought out many new participants. Many families marched, as did many young girls ten and twelve years old and high school youth, rejecting military recruiters in their schools and refusing to serve in the military. Iraq war veterans and military families were out in force.The action also represented the increasingly broad character of resistance to war and aggression. Many collectives identified themselves, including farmers, park rangers, psychologists and more. They marched alongside increasing numbers of religious, labor and women’s groups. Many states were also represented, including Arizona, North Carolina, Virginia, Vermont and others.
Protesters surrounded the Capitol, making clear that Congress is the target and that there is no patience for the Democrats’ refrain that “moving too quickly will harm the troops.” To this the protesters said, “Not one more death, American or Iraqi! Not one cent, not one youth for war!” The only way to defend the rights of the peoples is to bring all the troops home now and block all wars of aggression.
While Bush escalates and Congress refuses to act, the militant anti-war spirit of the protesters was firm and resolute. Whether young or old, veteran or new-comer, from the south or west or north or east, there was one voice and there was one stand — now is the time to end the war, now is the time to bring all U.S. troops home, now is the time to stop funding war. Now! We do not accept a pro-war government. If Congress does not submit to the will of the people, let the Democrats beware — the people are preparing to bring forward their own anti-war government.Washington, D.C.
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