No War, No Sanctions, No Blockade Against Iran • August 2: The People Say "Stop War on Iran!"•Resolution 362 and the Alarming Escalation of Hostility Toward Iran
• Iran Shows Its Cards • Iran Ready for All Military Possibilities
• Iran and Weapons of Mass Destruction
• U.S. Nuclear Weapons Parts Missing, Pentagon Says
• August 2 Actions: No War, No Sanctions, No Blockade Against Iran
August 2: From Coast to Coast - and Around the Globe
The People Say "Stop War on Iran!"
The threat of a U.S./Israeli attack against Iran is growing — but so is grassroots opposition. What we do in the next few days and weeks can make a difference.
Just a few weeks ago — on June 12 — the Stop War on Iran Campaign issued an emergency call to action for August 2. Activists are organizing actions in more than 87 cities, including major cities from coast to coast like Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Washington DC, as well as in smaller towns and cities like Westbrook, Maine; Melbourne and Ocala, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; Bozeman, Montana; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Tucson, Arizona. Demonstrations are also planned in Hawai’i and Alaska.
There will also be actions in cities across Canada. We have also heard from activists in Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Bangladesh and a number of countries in the Middle East, who are mobilizing to support the Emergency Call. The growing number of actions demonstrates the deep opposition to an attack on Iran. We urge you to join us in the streets Saturday, August 2. See end of update for listing of planned actions. If there is not an action near you, mobilize among friends and fellow activists to organize a rally, speakout, or picket. Make your voice heard — Stop War Against Iran!
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US Lawyer Seeks to Sue U.S. Over Iran Threats
An American lawyer has offered to represent Iran in an international lawsuit against Israel and his own government in an effort to stop Washington and Tel Aviv from initiating further sanctions against Tehran.
Francis A. Boyle says following Washington's latest ultimatum to Tehran to freeze uranium enrichment within two weeks or face further isolation, Iran needs to act quickly. [Boyle is a professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law, known for defending rule of law, opposing imprisonment of the Puerto Rican political prisoners, and defending rights internationally.]
At weekend talks in Geneva, the United States delivered what it describes as a “clear and simple message” that Iran must choose between cooperation or confrontation.
In an email interview with Press TV, Boyle urged Iran to begin drafting lawsuits for presentation to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague before the two-week ultimatum expires.
Q. Precisely what would the charges against the US and Israel be? What are you hoping to achieve?
A. About two years ago Iran contacted me about a proposal I had made to sue the United States, Israel and the European Union (EU)-3 (Britain, France and Germany) at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for their repeated and public threats to launch a military attack upon Iran over its undoubted right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to engage in nuclear reprocessing.
My proposal was that Iran should sue these states immediately, convene an Emergency Hearing by the World Court, and ask the Court to indicate provisional measures of protection on behalf of Iran against the United States, Israel and the EU-3 — basically a temporary restraining order.
I felt that these lawsuits would be able to prevent a military attack against Iran and also prevent the imposition of sanctions against Iran by the United Nations Security Council. In addition, by Iran submitting this entire matter to the World Court, it would make it clear to the entire world who the real culprits are here.
The threat and use of military force clearly violates Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. The Charter also mandates the peaceful resolution of international disputes. By filing these lawsuits Iran would prove to the entire world that it intends to resolve this matter peacefully and in accordance with international law.
I notice that just this week Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei publicly stated that he would sue the United States if it attacked Iran. I am proposing that we sue the United States immediately in order to prevent any attack upon or blockade of Iran, which would be an act of war.
Q. Why are you seeing to bring this action in an international court, rather than a domestic US court?
A. This would be a total waste of time. Based upon my prior experience, there is no way a United States court would rule against the United States government on a matter like this.
Q. You are proposing to represent Iran in a court action against the US and Israel - what are you seeking from Tehran - what mandate would they need to give you. Basically, how would this work?
A. Of course if Iran wants me to represent Iran in these lawsuits I would be happy to do so. But given the fact that I am a US national, Iran might prefer to have its own lawyers file these lawsuits. Iran already has a detailed Memorandum of Law from me on these lawsuits. The Iranian lawyers can simply use my Memorandum as they see fit. I would be happy to assist them in whatever way they desire.
Q. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been in the news recently regarding a prosecution against Sudan's leader, Omar al-Bashir. Explain the difference between the ICJ and the ICC.
A. The International Court of Justice deals with disputes between states, which the nuclear reprocessing dispute is all about. The International Criminal Court deals with the personal criminal responsibility of individuals. It has no authority to rule upon or settle disputes between states, which the ICJ can do.
Q. The US does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC - what is its relationship with the ICJ?
A. The ICJ would have jurisdiction to hear lawsuits by Iran against the United States, Israel and the EU-3 irrespective of the ICC.
Q. Israel regularly disregards international court verdicts and UN resolutions (the Separation Wall, settlement expansion etc.) What makes you believe there is value in another court action?
A. Israel has never been sued at the International Court of Justice -- the Wall was only an Advisory Opinion. By suing the United States and Israel together, Iran would make it very clear to the entire world what is really going on here by putting them in cahoots together. As of now the EU-3 are no longer threatening Iran with military force, so I would hold off from suing them at this time. But if they threaten Iran with military force, or support the United States and Israel with their threats, then of course they should be sued too.
Q. Assuming a mandate or commission is given by Tehran for you to represent them, what sort of timeline are we looking at before this goes before a judge, and then a verdict?
A. Based upon my prior experience at the World Court, it would take a few days to put the papers together and file them. We could get an Emergency Hearing by the Court within 2 weeks and an Order of Provisional Measures of Protection on behalf of Iran -- a temporary restraining order against the US and Israel -- within a week thereafter.
I filed the World Court lawsuit for Bosnia against Serbia over genocide on March 19, 1993, had the emergency hearing by the Court on April 1-2, and won the Order for Bosnia on 8 April 1993.
Given the inconclusive results at weekend talks in Geneva and the decision that Iran will be given another two weeks for its final answer, I respectfully submit that Iran should start moving on this process now. The Wall Street Journal has already reported moves for more unilateral, multilateral, and Security Council sanctions against Iran, including a blockade of Iran, which would be an act of war.
At a minimum, Iran should draft the Court documents now, then see what happens after Iran presents its "final offer" in two weeks.
Q. If you achieve positive verdict, how would you expect the verdict to be worded? Are there any sanctions against a state that does not abide by the ruling?
A. I would ask for Iran to be protected from a military attack by the United States and Israel in the most comprehensive language possible, including a blockade of Iran by the United States, a termination of all threats and use of military force, and of all measures of political, diplomatic and economic coercion against Iran.
The Order would go to the Security Council for enforcement.
If the US should exercise its veto, then we could try to take it to the United Nations General Assembly under the Uniting for Peace Resolution, where we would only need a two-thirds vote. In any event, this World Court Order would make it clear to the entire world who is right and who is wrong in this dispute.
Q. You have commented on the levels of rhetoric, what influence could this have on any court action?
A. I fully stand for a peaceful resolution of this dispute by means of diplomacy. But if the United States will not engage in good faith negotiations with Iran, then their and Israel's escalating threat and use of military force against Iran will only make it easier for me to win an Order from the World Court protecting Iran from the United States and Israel and, if necessary, the EU-3
Q. Another timeline question. Assuming this court action is aimed at preventing armed conflict, how urgent is it to commence the proceedings?
A. Apparently, according to CNN today, Iran has two weeks to prepare its final answer. That would be enough time to prepare all these documents. If the talks break down after Iran submits its "final offer," then we could immediately file the lawsuits, ask for an Emergency Hearing by the World Court, and request the Orders protecting Iran.
Back in early 1992, President Bush Sr. had the Sixth Fleet on military maneuvers off the coast of Libya planning for an attack and had US jet fighters penetrating Libyan airspace to provoke an attack over the Lockerbie matter.
We filed similar papers with the World Court on behalf of Libya against the United States and the United Kingdom, asking for an Emergency Hearing by the Court. President Bush Sr. then ordered the Sixth Fleet to stand down. There was no military attack against Libya then or later. Those World Court lawsuits eventually led to a peaceful resolution of the Lockerbie dispute between Libya, the United States and the United Kingdom, which now have normal diplomatic relations. Hopefully the same can be done here by means of these World Court lawsuits.
Q. During an appearance on Press TV's Middle East Today program in April this year you requested backing from Tehran for a court action against Israel on charges of genocide against Israel. Has there been any movement, any response? What is the current status?
A. This proposal is currently pending in the Office of President Ahmadinejad. The suffering of the Palestinians constitutes genocide. I am still willing to file that lawsuit if the President so desires. But given the urgency of the situation, and the threat of a terrible war, it might be best to get these nuclear-related lawsuits against the United States and Israel underway at this time, then act to protect the Palestinians from Israel later. Of course all this is for President Ahmadinejad to decide, not me.
Q. You successfully sued Serbia - but in the political atmosphere at the time, Serbia was widely perceived as the "bad guy" and frankly, the pro-Serbia lobby in the United States is insignificant. These cases are rather different, given popular support for Israel in the US. You will be representing what is widely regarded in the US as an unpopular or even hostile government against your own country and Washington's main ally in the Middle East.
How concerned are you regarding your professional reputation at home? Potentially, how damaging could this be for you - even with a successful outcome?
A. Back in 2004, the FBI/CIA put me on all the US government's so-called "terrorist watch lists" because I refused to become an informant for them on my Arab and Muslim clients, which would have violated their rights under the US Constitution and my ethical obligations as an attorney.
So I am sure there will be further repercussions. But under no circumstance do I want to see a war between Iran and the United States, which could readily degenerate into World War III.
With all due respect to Iran's leaders, they must not underestimate the ruthlessness and cruelty of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, and their Straussian Neo-Conservative advisors when it comes to their willingness to use military force against Iran.
We must do everything in our power to prevent a war and obtain a peaceful resolution of this dispute over nuclear reprocessing that in my opinion can be resolved satisfactorily. These World Court lawsuits will contribute towards a peaceful resolution of this dispute between Iran and the United States, which will then order Israel to stand down.
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Resolution 362 and the Alarming Escalation of Hostility Toward Iran
The current tension among political observers as to whether the U.S. and/or Israel will undertake military action against Iran before President Bush leaves office has been greatly intensified by the prospect that Congress will pass a frightening resolution: House Concurrent Resolution (H. Con. R.) 362. [A Concurrent Resolution means the bill has the concurrence, or agreement of the Senate. As of July 18, the resolution has not been passed.]
The Demands of H. Con. R. 362
H. Con. R. 362, sponsored by Representative Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat, calls for the president to enact more draconian economic sanctions against Iran. These include an embargo against any imports of refined petroleum. (While Iran is of course a major exporter of oil, it imports at least 40 percent of its refined petroleum.) The wording of the Resolution is chilling in the extreme: “Congress demands that the President initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by prohibiting the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran’s nuclear program.”
The “stringent inspection requirements” listed would require a naval blockade, thereby constituting an act of war. And this is how the resolution would be perceived by virtually all Iranians. The result would surely marginalize moderates in Iran who would shun retaliatory measures against the Bush administration’s aggressive rhetoric, which has been escalating since fall of 2007. Iranians would unify behind their most belligerent leaders and the country would have been handed, by the president and Congress, powerful reasons to develop nuclear weapons for purposes of deterrence.
The final clause of the Resolution contains a classic example of political doubletalk: “nothing in this Resolution shall be construed as an authorization of the use of force against Iran.” But an embargo-with-inspections scheme can be put in effect only by means of a blockade, which logically entails the use of force.
Congressional Democrats, the IAEA and Factual Falsehoods in H. Con. R 362
There is more support now than there was a year ago in Congress, especially among the Democrats, for military action against Iran. Thus H. Con. R. 362’s co-sponsors include 96 House Democrats and 111 House Republicans. These are the same Democrats that Americans voted into Congress in November 2006 as majorities in both houses, based on what voters believed to be the Democrats’ opposition to war in the Middle East.
To add insult to injury, H. Con. R. 362 justifies its content with demonstrably false accusations about Iran’s nuclear program. The Resolution charges that Iran’s importing and manufacturing of centrifuges are “covert” and “illicit.” But under both the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, to which Iran is a signatory, and Iran’s agreements with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), these activities are entirely permitted. The IAEA has publicly stated its support of Iran’s uranium enrichment program, which it states is in full accord with all treaty requirements to which Iran is subject.
Late last October IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei remarked to CNN: “Have we seen Iran having the nuclear material that can be readily used into a weapon? No. Have we seen an active weaponization program? No. I very much have concern building confrontation, because that would lead to a disaster. I see no military solution. The only durable solution is through negotiations and inspections.” ElBaradei’s most recent statements repeatedly echo these October remarks. [He has said he will resign in protest if there is military action against Iran.]
The Role of AIPAC
That H. Con. R. 362 has been so warmly received on Capitol Hill is a sad testimony to Congress’s willing support of external interests that cannot be assumed to be identical to those of most Americans. The Resolution is known to have been initially drafted by the lobby group American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC. In early June AIPAC sent more than a thousand lobbyists to Congress to whip up support for this Resolution.
AIPAC’s agenda should not be construed as a response to the wishes of the American Jewish community. Polls show that more than 80 percent of Jewish-Americans oppose an attack on Iran. [BF note: President George W. Bush also recently gave Israel the go ahead to plan for an attack on Iran, and the Israelis recently conducted a test run for such an attack. As well, the military’s Commander of the Joint Chiefs of Staff went to Israel, no doubt in part to finalize plans for a joint U.S./Israeli attack on Iran]
H. Con. R 362 and the Pre-Invasion Rhetoric Against Iraq: Preludes to War
Reminiscent of Bill Clinton’s decision to impose severe extensive sanctions against Iraq, the White House last October unilaterally imposed harsh economic sanctions against a number of important Iranian institutions. In addition to targeting more than 20 Iranian companies and the country’s three major banks, the sanctions were announced as aimed mainly at Iran’s uniformed security force, the Revolutionary Guard Corps (RGC) — which the Bush administration characterized, with no evidence, as “proliferators of weapons of mass destruction” — and RGC’s Quds Force, which has been branded as a “supporter of terrorism.” These same two accusations were used as pretexts for the invasion of Iraq.
Since Quds is part of RGC, and the latter is a state institution, the branding of Quds as a terrorist organization was ipso facto to brand Iran as a terrorist state. […]
The demonization of former allies has been common to Washington’s war preparations against both Iraq and Iran. In both cases perhaps the principal objectives have been to shut down the possibilities for a negotiated settlement, and to provide a “legal” framework for war by specifying the pretexts of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism.
The Democrats’ overwhelming support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq is well known. Their legislation prior to the October 2007 sanctions is perhaps less well remembered. Shortly before Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced the October sanctions, the Democratic-led House passed legislation that would impose sanctions on non-U.S. energy companies doing business in Iran. The legislation passed by an overwhelming 397 - 16 vote.
Democratic leaders justified this legislation as cutting off funding for Iran’s (entirely legal) nuclear program. But the legislation was surely motivated in large part by the intention to eliminate any competitive advantage that might be enjoyed by competitors of U.S. oil companies, which no longer have access to Iran-based profits.
H. Con. R 362 is a major extension of the October sanctions. The latter were intended to deal a damaging blow to Iran’s economy. The RGC is not merely a military institution. It performs a broad range of economic activities. Its engineering unit includes among its major projects a $2 billion contract to develop Iran’s main gas field, a $1.3 billion contract for a new pipeline to Pakistan, the construction of a Tehran metro extension, a high-speed rail link connecting the capital and Isfahan, the expansion of shipping ports and the construction of a major dam.
The October sanctions are known to have already had a significant impact on Iran’s economy. H. Con. R. 362 is intended to intensify that damage, to take negotiations off the table, to provoke Iran. Its passage would constitute another giant step toward what Mohamed ElBaradei called “an abyss.”
Alan Nasser is professor emeritus of Political Economy at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.
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Now that Iran has made it crystal clear that even a limited U.S. attack would bring about a massive Iranian response, all military planners now understand that any U.S. military attack will have to be massive. Simply put, the United States does not now have the military capacity in the Middle East to launch such a strike, and any redeployment of U.S. forces into the region could not go undetected, either by Iran, which would in turn redeploy its forces, or the rest of the world. Because a U.S. attack against Iran would have such horrific detrimental impact on the entire world, it is hard to imagine the international community remaining mute as American military might is assembled.
Likewise, despite the disposition of Congress to either remain silent on the issue or actively facilitate military action against Iran, it would become increasingly difficult for American lawmakers to ignore the consequences of a military strike on Iran, economically and politically. The same can be said of both major presidential candidates. The decision by Iran to show its hand on how it would respond to any American aggression has cleared the air, so to speak, about what is actually being discussed when one speaks of military action against Iran. In many ways, the Iranian missile tests have made it less likely that there will be a war with Iran, simply because the stakes of any such action are so plainly obvious to all parties involved.
Iran continues, based upon all available intelligence information, to pursue a nuclear program, which is exclusively intended for peaceful energy purposes. Any concerns that may exist about the dual-use potential of Iran’s uranium enrichment programs can be mitigated through viable nuclear inspections conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency. IAEA inspections should be improved upon by getting Iran to go along with an additional inspection protocol, rather than pursuing military action, which will destroy the inspection process and remove the very verification processes which provide the international community with the confidence that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
The reality is that Iran’s nuclear program is here to stay. Iran has every right under international law to pursue this program, and regional and global tensions would be greatly reduced (along with the price of oil) if American policies, and in related fashion U.N. Security Council mandates, were adjusted accordingly. Israeli paranoia – derived not so much from any genuine Iranian threat but rather an affront to Israeli nuclear hegemony in the Middle East – must in turn be subdued. This can be done through a mixture of international pressure designed to punish Israel diplomatically and economically for any failure to adhere to international norms when it comes to peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, and international assurances that Israel’s sovereignty and viability as a nation-state will be respected and defended.
Of course, there can be no meaningful international pressure brought to bear on Israel without American participation, and herein lies the crux of the problem. Until the U.S. Congress segregates legitimate national security concerns from narrow Israeli-only issues, the pro-Israel lobby will have considerable influence on American national security policy. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) continued push for congressional action concerning the implementation of what is tantamount to a naval blockade of Iran (and as such, an act of war) by pushing H. Con. Res. 362 and S. Res. 580 is mind-boggling given the reality of the situation. Congress must stop talking blockade, and start discussing stability and confidence-building measures.
At this point there can no longer be any doubt about the consequences of any U.S. and/or Israeli military action against Iran. Some, including me, have warned of the folly of such action, and now Iran itself has demonstrated why an attack would be insane.
I have always pointed out that no plan survives initial contact with the enemy, and furthermore one can never forget that, in war, the enemy gets to vote. On the issue of an American and/or Israeli attack on Iran, the Iranian military has demonstrated exactly how it would cast its vote. Iran recently fired off medium- and long-range missiles and rockets, in a clear demonstration of capability and intent. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, regional oil production capability and U.S. military concentrations, along with Israeli cities, would all be subjected to an Iranian military response if Iran was attacked.
The Bush administration has shrugged off the Iranian military display as yet another example of how irresponsible the government in Tehran is. But the Pentagon for one has had to sit up and pay attention. For some time now, the admirals commanding the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf have maintained that they have the ability to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. But the fact is, the only way the United States could guarantee that the strait remained open would be to launch a massive pre-emptive military strike that swept the Iranian coast clear of the deadly surface-to-surface missiles that Iran would use to sink cargo ships in the strategic lane. This strike would involve hundreds of tactical aircraft backed up by limited ground action by Marines and U.S. Special Operations forces which would involve “boots on the ground” for several days, if not weeks. Such a strike is not envisioned in any “limited” military action being planned by the United States. But now that it is clear what the Iranian response would entail, there can no longer be any talk of a “limited” military attack on Iran.
The moment the United States makes a move to secure the Strait of Hormuz, Iran could unleash a massive bombardment of the military and industrial facilities of the United States. American military bases in Iraq and Kuwait, large, fixed and well known, would be smothered by rockets and missiles carrying deadly cluster bombs. The damage done would run into the hundreds of millions, if not into billions, of dollars, and hundreds, if not thousands, of U.S. military personnel killed and wounded.
To prevent or retard any Iranian missile attack, the United States would have to commit hundreds of combat sorties, combined with Special Operations Forces, to a counter-missile fight which would need to span the considerable depth of the Persian landmass from which missiles might reach potential targets. While there has been some improvement in the U.S. military’s counter-missile capability, one must never forget that in 1991 not a single Iraqi Scud missile was successfully interdicted by any aspect of American military action (airstrike, ground action or antiballistic missile), and in 2003 the U.S. military had mixed results against the far less capable Al-Samoud missiles. Israel was unable to prevent Hezbollah from firing large salvoes of rockets into northern Israel during the summer 2006 conflict. There is no reason for optimism that the U.S. and Israel have suddenly found the solution to the Iranian missile threat.
There is virtually no chance the U.S. Navy would be able to prevent Iran from interfering with shipping through the strait. There is every chance the Navy would take significant casualties, in both ships lost and personnel killed or wounded, as it struggled to secure the strait. There would be a need for a significant commitment of ground forces to guarantee safe passage for all shipping, civilian and military alike. The longer ground forces could operate on Iranian soil, the better the chances Iranian missiles would not be able to effectively interdict shipping. Conversely, the longer ground forces operated on Iranian soil, the greater likelihood there would be of decisive ground engagement. With U.S. air power expected to be fully committed to the missile interdiction mission, any large-scale ground engagement would create a situation in which air power would have to be redirected into tactical support, and away from missile interdiction, creating a window of vulnerability which the Iranians would very likely exploit. […]
Neither the Israeli nor the American (and for that reason, European and Asian) economy would emerge intact from a U.S. attack on Iran. Oil would almost instantly break the $300-per-barrel mark, and because the resulting conflict would more than likely be longer and more violent than most are predicting, there is a good chance oil would top $500 or even more within days or weeks. Hyperinflation would almost certainly strike every market-based economy, and the markets themselves could collapse under the strain.
There has never been a more pressing time than now for Congress to conduct serious hearings on U.S. policy toward Iran. Such hearings must not replicate the rubber-stamp hearings held by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in the summer of 2002. Those hearings were simply a facilitating vehicle for war with Iraq. New hearings must expand the body of witnesses beyond administration officials and those who would mirror their policy positions, and include experts and specialists who could articulate a counter point of view, exposing Congress to information and analysis which might prompt a fuller debate. This is the last thing AIPAC and the Bush administration want to see. But it is one thing the American people should be demanding.
Scott Ritter was a U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq from 1991 to 1998. He is the author of “Target Iran” (Nation Books, 2007).
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Iran Ready for All Military Possibilities
Iran would be ready for all military possibilities including an Israeli attack on the country's nuclear facilities, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported, quoting Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, June 22. "We are ready for all possibilities but if they (Israel) really planned to take such an unwise action, then they would face much more damage than us," Larijani told IRNA.
The New York Times reported June 20 that Israel had conducted a major air force exercise earlier this month that United States officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Iranian government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham on June 21 termed Israel a dangerous regime and said the latest threats against Iran jeopardized global peace. However, he doubted that Israel had the strength to attack Iranian interests.
Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa-Mohammad Najar told state television June 22 that the Israeli maneuver was another part of the "psychological war" aimed at intimidating Iran in the dispute over the country's nuclear programs.
The minister warned that although Iran was not after any military conflict, if attacked, "the response would have no time and space limitations and would be quite devastating."
Iran also said it would not freeze its nuclear energy program involving uranium enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency has verified that the program is peaceful, for generating electricity. The IAEA has also confirmed that Iran has no nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) also allows for uranium enrichment and the IAEA has affirmed that Iran is abiding by the NPT requirements. The U.S., however, has consistently refused to meet its duty to disarm its nuclear weapons and reduce its stockpile.
The U.S. is demanding that Iran freeze the program and has repeatedly threatened use of military force. The U.S. is also demanding that the United Nations Security Council act to increase sanctions against Iran. In responding to the threat of yet more sanctions, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said to the UN Security Council members, July 23, “If you come forward based on law, justice and logic, the Iranian nation will negotiate on important global issues and will cooperate in solving the problems of humanity.”
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Iran and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Iran is not known to possess weapons of mass destruction, and has signed treaties repudiating possession of them, including the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). More than 100,000 Iranian troops and civilians were victims to chemical weapons, supplied by the U.S., during the 1980’s Iran-Iraq War. On ideological grounds, a public and categorical religious decree against the development, production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons has been issued by the leader of the Islamic Republic.
The November 2007 United States National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) judged that Iran halted an active nuclear weapons program in fall 2003 and that it remained halted as of mid-2007. The estimate further judged that U.S. intelligence did not know whether Iran intended "to develop nuclear weapons," but that "Iran probably would be technically capable of producing enough HEU [highly enriched uranium] for a weapon sometime during the 2010-2015 time frame" if it chose to do so. Iran states its nuclear program is peaceful. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said he has seen no evidence of any nuclear weapons program in Iran. The head of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei, has stated that he has seen "maybe some studies about possible weaponization," but "no evidence" of "nuclear material that can readily be used in a weapon" or "an active weaponization program," as of October 2007.
After the IAEA reported Iran's non-compliance with its NPT safeguards agreement, the United Nations (UN) Security Council demanded that Iran suspend its nuclear enrichment activities, and imposed sanctions against Iran three times when Iran refused to do so. Iran's representative to the UN argued that Iran categorically rejected the development of nuclear weapons and that the sanctions compelled Iran to abandon its rights under the NPT to peaceful nuclear technology. The IAEA has been able to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran, but not the absence of undeclared activities, and has reached an agreement with Iran on the timeline for resolution of all the remaining verification issues specified in an August 2007 work plan. The Non-Aligned Movement has called on both sides to work through the IAEA for a solution.
(Source: Wikipedia)
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U.S. Nuclear Weapons Parts Missing, Pentagon Says
The U.S. military cannot locate hundreds of sensitive nuclear missile components, according to several government officials familiar with a Pentagon report on nuclear safeguards. Robert Gates, U.S. defense secretary, recently fired both the U.S. Air Force chief of staff and Air Force secretary after an investigation blamed the Air Force for the “inadvertent” shipment of nuclear missile nose cones to Taiwan (though “inadvertently sent, missiles remain in Taiwan). According to previously undisclosed details, the investigation also concluded that the Air Force could not account for many sensitive components previously included in its nuclear inventory.
One official said the number of missing components was more than 1,000.
The disclosure is the latest embarrassing episode for the Air Force, which last year had to explain how a bomber “mistakenly” carried six nuclear missiles across the U.S. The incidents have raised concerns about U.S. nuclear safeguards as Washington presses other countries to bolster counter-proliferation measures.
In announcing the departure of the top air force officials earlier this month, Mr. Gates said Admiral Kirkland Donald, the officer who led the investigation, concluded that both incidents had a "common origin" which was "the gradual erosion of nuclear standards and a lack of effective oversight by Air Force leadership."
A senior defense official said the report had "identified issues about record keeping" for sensitive nuclear missile components. But he claimed that there was no suggestion that components had ended up in the hands of countries that should not have received them.
But Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association in Washington, said the revelation was "very significant and extremely troubling" because it meant the U.S. could not establish the positive control referred to by Mr. Gates. "It raises a serious question about where else these unaccounted for warhead related parts may have gone," said Mr. Kimball. "I would not be surprised if the recent Taiwan incident is not the only one."
A senior military officer said the military leadership, including Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was "deeply troubled" by the findings of the Donald report. He added that they would be paying close attention to recommendations for improving nuclear safeguards that Mr. Gates has asked James Schlesinger, a former defense secretary, to make.
(Source: London Financial Times)
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August 2 Actions in More Than 80 Cities:
No War, No Sanctions, No Blockade Against Iran
Mass March In New York City
Assemble 12pm at Times Square
43rd St. & Broadway
Alaska
Fairbanks
Demonstration • 1-3pm at corner of University and Geist near University of Alaska campus • Bring signs for peace, opposing war against Iran, opposing torture, etc.
Fairbanks Peace Center
907-374-2822 • info@alaskapeace.org • www.alaskapeace.org
Arizona
Flagstaff
Rally, City Hall • 5-6pm
Join the Flagstaff Community and nationwide actions against the imminent U.S. War with Iran! We will be rallying on the Flagstaff City Hall calling for No War On Iran And For All U.S. Troops to be Removed From Iraq & Afghanistan. Please bring pots, pans, signs and noisemakers.
NAU Peace and Justice
Contact: Russell Crawford
928-301-2750 • naupeaceandjustice@gmail.com
Tucson
Stop War On Iran rally with film and speakers • 2-4pm • Wilmot Branch of Tucson Library.
International Action Center of Tucson
520-762-6629 • NoWarOnIran@iactucson.org. • www.iactucson.org
Arkansas
Rogers
Leaflet distribution
Contact: John Lewis
479-899-6206 • lewis1946@cox.net
California
Fairfield
Gathering signatures for an antiwar petition • Fairfield Civic Center Library • 12-5pm. Join in.
Contact: Marc Weeks
707-207-3762 • andmich@comcast.net
Fresno
Protest: No War on Iran • Friday, August 1, 2008 • Shaw and Blackstone Ave. • 4:30-6:30pm
Join Peace Fresno and others
559-487-2515 • www.peacefresno.org
president@peacefresno.org • camillerussell@softcom.net
Los Angeles
Protest at Pershing Square, 1pm, downtown Los Angeles
International Action Center - Los Angeles
310-677-6407 • iacenterla@action-mail.org • www.iacenterla.org
Long Beach
Earth Neighborhood Gallery • 10am-noon
Art In For Peace: Massive Art for Peace Creation in a high traffic area at 4th St and Bonito near Alamitos Blvd (1 blk East). Art share and book readings for Peace. Fund raising bake sale — bring something to share. Contribute to the Art for Peace work in progress and see the Earth Gallery for Planet Friendly and Human Friendly Art. Peace readings and spoken work share at 12 noon.
Contact: Karen LaMantia
562-590-3739 • karena@tdl.com
Nipomo
Protest, at Main & Broadway in Santa Maria • 10am
Don't Bomb Iran | Wage Peace | Do Not 'Nuke' Iran | Get Out
Peace Coalition
Contact: Bill Denneen • BDenneen@KCBX.net
Oakland
Ride to 8/2 demo in San Francisco with Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace (LMNOP) • Meet at MacArthur BART station 11-11:25am • Noon demo at Powell Street BART Station.
Contact: Beth Wagner
510-763-8712 • lmnop@riseup.net • www.lmno4p.org
Salinas
Demonstration • South Main and Blanco • 11am
Salinas Action League
831 206 5043 • youthrightssal@gmail.com
San Diego
Community flyer distribution to Stop the War Against Iran.
San Diego International Action Center (IAC)
619-692-0355 • iacsandiego@safewebmail.com
San Francisco
Demonstration • Market and Powell, Cable Car Turnaround • 12 noon
International Action Center-Northern California
415-738-4739 • actioncenter-sf@action-mail.org
San Pedro
Vigil Friday August 1 • 5-7pm • First and Gaffey Streets (Los Angeles Harbor)
San Pedro Neighbors for Peace and Justice
Contact: Jack Finley
310-548-3333 • ajaclin1@pacbell.net
Sherman Oaks
We Are For Peace & Against War Any War! As Epidemiologists We Believe "An Ounce Of Prevention Is Better Than Tons Of Cure," and as Activists We Believe that “Silence Can Be Deadly To Millions!”
International Health & Epidemiology Research Center
Contact: Farideh Kioumehr
818-788-2662 • iherc@hotmail.com • www.irol.com/avc
Visalia
Anti-War Demonstration • Sunday, August 3 • Caldwell and Mooney • 8-9am
South Valley Peace Center
Contact: Merrily Davies
559-782-9265 • m.davies@earthlink.net
Colorado
Denver
Demonstration • Hands off Iran • West Steps of Colorado State Capitol
12-2pm
Recreate 68
Contact: Larry Hales
720-979-9491 • hcrazycat@yahoo.com
Ft. Collins
Vigil for peace every Saturday • from 12-l pm
Contact: Joseph Stern
joesternfc@yahoo.com
Greeley
Protest: No War In Iran, No More Wars, Honk for Peace • 2885 23rd Ave and 29th St.
Greeley Justice & Peace Coalition
Contact: Elaine Schmidt
970-352-7765 • elaine567@hotmail.com
Florida
Jacksonville
Rally August 1, 2008 • Main And Union Streets • 4:30-6pm Wage Peace, Inc.
Our action will be on August 1, in order to take advantage of the rush hour traffic. Bring signs and a smile
Wage Peace, Inc.
Contact: Mary Claire Van der Horst
mcvdh@bellsouth.net • www.wagepeace.net
Melbourne
Demonstration to Stop War on Iran! • Wednesday August 6, 2008 • "Peace Corner," 1700 West New Haven • 6-7:30pm
Brevard Patriots For Peace • vimpoco@cfl.rr.com
Mass March to Stop War On Iran • Saturday August 30, 2008
From Front Street Park (2205 S. Front St., Melbourne) to Melbourne City Hall (900 E. Strawbridge Ave.) • 2 pm • For more info: sabletide@aol.com
Endorsed by: CODEPINK Florida, Humanists for Peace, Brevard NOW, Peace Now Citrus County, Marions for Peace, People for Peace and Justice/St. Augustine, Social Concerns Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Key West, Humanists of Greater Fort Walton Beach, Central Florida Veterans For Peace, CODEPINK of East Florida, and Military Families Speak Out (Florida Chapter)
Miami
Demonstration Against War in Iran • Downtown • Sunday August 3, 2008 Bolivarian Youth
Contact: Michael Martinez
786-985-9048 • maikolmg@hotmail.com
Naples
Rally: Against Any Form of Military Action Against Iran • Corner of Pine Ridge Rd. and Rt.41 • 12 noon. A group of veterans and other volunteers will rally.
Contact: John Riccio
239-649-6863 • jfriccio38@yahoo.com
Ocala
Rally: Stop War on Iran • Pine Street and 17th Avenue (Route 441) • 11-12noon
MarionsforPeace • marionsforpeace@gmail.com
St. Petersburg/Tampa
Demonstration at CENTCOM • Saturday August 9
We do a monthly vigil at McDill, the HQ for Central Command (Centcom) and Special Ops on the 2nd Saturday of the month. We will be in solidarity with August 2 actions to oppose war on Iran.
Contact: Jay Alexander • jayalexus@yahoo.com
Tallahassee
Peace Vigil: No Iran War - No More Torture - Troops Home Now • Sunday August 3 • In front of the Old Capitol • 12:30-2:30
Join the Tallahassee Network for Justice and Peace, Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families for Peace, Code Pink in a street side informational picket. Now in year six. Signs provided. Materials for making your own will be available. Bush Lies - Kids Die
Contact: Thomas Baxter • 850-322-1509 • 124c4u@gmail.com • http://tombaxter.livejournal.com
Georgia
Atlanta
Protest: No War On Iran Midtown Place, 650 Ponce de Leon (across from City Hall East), site of Army Recruiting Station • 11-12:30pm
This is a busy shopping area with a lot of street traffic. There will be leaflets to distribute, petitions to sign, banners to hold.
International Action Center and Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition.
Hawai'i
Hilo
Rally to Stop The War On Iran • Kea'au Bypass intersection of Hwy 11 and Hwy 130 • 8:30- 9:30a.m. Join in solidarity with peace groups across the nation. Sign-holding. Let's send out a strong message that the people do not want war!! Mourn all victims of violence. Reject war as a solution. Defend civil liberties. Oppose all discrimination. Seek peace through justice in Hawai'i and around the world.
Malu'Aina Center for Non-violent Education and Action
808-966-7622 • ja@interpac.net, www.malu-aina.org
Illinois
Chicago
Rally and March: No War On Iran! U.S. Troops Out of the Middle East! • Randolph & Clark Streets • 12 noon
Since the leaders of both major parties are promoting a new war, the Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism is initiating a protest that will target both parties' headquarters in the Loop. We will rally then March to Cook County Republican Headquarters and Barack Obama / Democratic Party Campaign Headquarters, then the Israeli consulate and ending at Millennium Park. No new war or blockade on Iran! Troops home NOW from Iraq and Afghanistan!
Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism • CCAWR@aol.com
Indiana
Ft. WaynePeace Rally • Courthouse Green, on Clinton between Main and Berry • Noon Some signs will be provided, and you are encouraged to make your own. We will be furnishing inspirational music.
Ft. Wayne Peace Action Coalition
Contact: Bruce Hall
260-760-4600 • hallbr01@ipfw.edu
Highland
Vigil: No War on Iran • Hwy of the Flags Vets Memorial, Indianapolis Blvd & Ridge • 12-2pm Every Saturday Noon-2PM
NW Indiana Veterans For Peace, NW Indiana Code Pink
Contact: Nick Egnatz • nickatlakehills@sbcglobal.net
Indianapolis
Demonstration to Stop the Iran War! • Dowtown Indianapolis on the Circle • 11am-3pm • We encourage interested to join us at 11 am at the monument and show your opposition to the evil being unleashed by the military industrial complex. We will be out until 3 pm bringing the truth of Iran War to the masses of Indiana. Bring your friends, plenty of water and a need to expose the lies of the Iran War. We will need the support of everyone you can find to voice their opinion on this issue.
Wearechange • wearechangeci@yahoo.com • www.wearechangeci.org
Kentucky
Louisville
Rally • Bardstown and Eastern Parkway • 12-1:30 p.m.
Signs will be provided, or make/bring your own. Bring something cool to drink and please spread the word to others.
River City Greens
Contact: Phil Ardery Jr. • 502-456-2802 • ard@thepoint.net
Maine
Kennebunk
Protest & March • Consolidated School on School St. to Walker's Point • 1pm President Bush is coming to Kennebunkport to take a vacation. We think he deserves a trip to jail, not to Maine. We will be delivering the message Stop The War On Iran!
The Kennebunks Peace Department
Contact: Jamilla El-Shafei • 603-969-8426 • jamillaelshafei@gmail.com
Westbrook
Universal Prayer to Stop War On Iran • Universalist Church, 719 Main Street • noon
Contact: Dan Glover • 207-854-1466 • www.uuwestbrook.org
Maryland
Baltimore
Rally • Friday, August 1 • Washington Monument, Center St and Charles St • 5-6pm
Baltimore All Peoples Congress
Contacts: Steven Ceci, Andre Powell
410-467-6132 • APCBaltimore@pipeline.com
Massachusetts
Boston
Rally and March: IN front of Military Recruiter’s Office, Tremont St. across from Park St T station • 12 Noon • March to Israeli Consulate
Boston International Action Center • 617-522-6626 • www.iacboston.org
Orange
Silent Vigil • Veterans Memorial Park, South Main St (Route 122) • 1-2pm
Signs urging peace and non-violence are welcome.
North Quabbin Women in Black
Pittsfield
Non-violent, solemn vigil • Park Square • Noon-1pm
Bring signs (no sticks) or just come stand.
GIRO and Berkshire Citizens for Peace and Justice.
Contact: Jamie Cooney • 413-997-2108 • jlcooney@gmail.com
Tisbury
Rally: No War On Iran! • Five Corners • 1pm
Martha's Vineyard Peace Council
Contact: Chris Fried • 508-693-7741 • chrisfried@hotmail.com
Springfield
Rally • Court Square, Main Street • 12 noon
Western Mass International Action Center/Troops Out Now
Contact: Nick Camerota/Catherine Donaghy • 413-896-5219 • wmassiac@hotmail.com
Michigan
Ann Arbor
Rally • Ann Arbor Federal Building
Ann Arbor Coalition Against the War
Contact: Phil Carroll • carrollz@umich.edu
Detroit
Demonstration U.S./Israel Hands off Iran! • Friday, August 1, 2008 • Hart Plaza, Jefferson Ave. and Woodward • 4-6:00pm
Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice
Contact: David Sole • 313-680-5508 • info@mecawi.org • www.mecawi.org
Lansing
Peace Vigil: No Attack on Iran! No More War! • Friday, August 1 • Michigan Capitol Building, Capitol Ave. and Michigan Ave. • Noon
Bring a sign or use one of ours. Also, please call U.S. Senators Levin and Stabenow and call your U.S. Representative, urging them to stop the threat of an attack on Iran.
Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice (GLNAWI)
Contact: Ann or Margaret
517- 410-1243 • glnawi2004@yahoo.com
Sault Ste Marie
Petitioning and Tabling with Stop War On Iran petitions • Big annual Side Walk Sale on Ashmund St. • Friday, August 1 & Saturday, August 2 • 1-8:00pm both days • Come by, lend a hand and talk with us.
Straits Area Left Caucus
Contact: Sonny Reid • 906-322-5004 or 906-253-9166 • lklein@saulttribe.net
Minnesota
Minneapolis
Rally and Protest: Don't Bomb Iran! Friday, August 1, 2008 • 1200 Washington Ave. S. • Noon
Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) • www.worldwidewamm.org
Missouri
Springfield
Protest: No War On Iran! • In front of Congressman Roy Blunt's office • 11am
The Peace Network of the Ozarks
Contact: Dave Davison • peacenetwork@ozarkpace.net • www.ozark.peace.net
Montana
Bozeman
Vigils and picket lines are being planned in Missoula and Bozeman. Please contact for details.
International Action Center Bozeman
Contact: John Lewis • 406-600-6443 • IACBozeman@bresnan.net
Nevada
Reno
Rally • McCarran at S. Virginia (Chili's parking lot) • 2pm
World Can't Wait-Reno encourages all other peace forces to join us in solidarity with nationwide actions to head off the drive toward yet another war. We will have signs and banners to alert hundreds of Reno motorists of the danger; if you have your own, please bring them.
World Can’t Wait-Reno
Contact: Rich Haber • 406-600-6443 • reno@worldcantwait.org
New Jersey
Fort Monmouth
Rally • Main Gate to Base, Route 35, near Route 537 • Noon to 1pm
Contact: Al Strasberger • 732-741-7097
Jersey City
Anti-War Flyering • Sunday, August 3, 2008 • Journal Square Fountain on Kennedy Blvd. • 12noon-2pm
Jersey City Peace Movement
Contact: Erik-Anders Nilsson, Director • JCPeaceMovement@hotmail.com • www.JCPM.org
New Mexico
Albuquerque
Rally: No War with Iran • Central Ave and Tulane • Noon-1:30pm We have plenty of signs, or bring your own. Bring something cool to drink!
Contact: Armen Chakerian • (505) 898-4544 • dtwm@earthlink.net
New York
Buffalo
Rally: No Sanctions, No Attack On Iran! • Elmwood and Bidwell • 1pm
Buffalo Forum, Buffalo, WNY International Action Center, Western New York Peace Center
716-602-8077 • buffaloforum@usmlo.org • www.wnypeacecenter.org
Hicksville
Protest: Against the Invasion of Iran • Hicksville LIRR train station at 9:30 am in which peace groups from all around Long Island will meet, and will then be leaving between 10:30 and 11 am to go to the StopWar On Iran protest in NYC. Parking Available at Broadway Mall Parking Lot, there will be Music and Speakers from Various Groups.
Hicksville Students Against War (HSAW)
Contacts: Nina Gramaglia, Matt Kennedy • 516-996-5433 • Nina.Gramaglia@gmail.com • DDay110@optonline.net
Poughkeepsie
Vigial emphasizing Stop War On Iran!• West Main St., Routes 9 & 9D • 12-2 pm
A long standing vigil happening every Saturday will oppose war on Iran August 2, 2008
Westchester County
Join NYC March: No Attacks On Iran peace trains to Times Square, via metro-north, White Plains, NY. Train leaves White Plains station at 10:27 am, and arrives in Grand Central at 11:05 am.
American Iranian Friendship Committee
Ardeshir & Ellie Ommani
914-273-8852 • AIFC@optonline.net • www.progressiveportals.com/aifc
Woodstock
Rally • Village Green • Noon • Gather with signs and petitions.
Woodstock Solidarity Committee
Contact: Rene Imperato • reneimp@yahoo.com
North Carolina
Charlotte
Rally • Gather at Independence Blvd & 3rd St. • 1:00pm
Action Center For Justice
Contact David Dixon
704-492-8527 • 704-492-5226 • bringthemonhome@yahoo.com • www.charlotteaction.blogspot.com
Raleigh/Durham
Demonstration • State Capital building • 2pm
NC Coalition to Stop War on Iran
Contact: Ben Carroll • 919- 264-0201 • itsaredletterday@gmail.com
North Dakota
Bismarck
Rally and petitioning • William L Guy Federal Building/U.S. Post Office/U.S. Courthouse • 11:30am
We will be circulating a petition and presenting it after August 2 (exact date undetermined) to the North Dakota congressional delegation.
Contact: Adam Wiese • 701-220-9621
Ohio
Cleveland
Vigil with theme of Stop the War on Iran • West Side Market • 11-12 Noon
March & Rally: Don't Iraq Iran, Hands Off Iran •Assemble at the Free Stamp, E.9th and Lakeside Ave. across form the Federal Building • 12:30pm • March to Voinovich Park and Rock Hall Of Fame.
Peoples Fightback Center
Contact: Martha Grevatt • 216-531-4004 • pfcenter@sbcglobal.net
and North East Ohio Anti War Coalition
Contact: MJ Muser
mjmuser@yahoo.com • www.noacinfo.org
Columbus
Demonstration: Stop War On Iran • North Broadway and High Street • from Noon-1:00pm. Each one-bring one! Free World Can't Wait, 'No War On Iran' posters will be distributed.
World Can't Wait, Columbus
Contact: Comrade Tribune • 614-274-3147 • vargo.che@hotmail.com
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
Honk For Peace Rally • Northwest Expressway at Meridian Ave (Hefner Park on N.E. corner of intersection) • 10-11am
The Peace House
Contact: Nathaniel Batchelder • 405-524-5577 • batchokc@aol.com • www.peacehouseok.org
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Join the Stop War On Iran NYC Times Square • call for information
Philadelphia IAC
Contact Betsey Piette • 215-724-1618 • phillyiac@action-mail.org
Lewisburg
Vigil • Wednesday August 6, 2008 • Post Office steps, 3rd and Market Sts. • Noon-1pm
Contact: John Cooper • jcooper@bucknell.edu
Wayne
Rally to Stop War on Iran • Sunday, August 3, 2008 • Wayne town center • 5:30pm
Main Line Citizens for Impeachment (a chapter of Coalition for PeaceAction) • tjdugdale@comcast.net
Interfaith Peace Meal and unveiling of 1000 origami paper cranes memorializing Hiroshima/Nagasaki Week. • Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Avenue • 6:30pm followed by Stop War on Iran rally, intersection Lancaster and Wayne Ave.
MoveOn.org Operation Democracy Regional Coordinator
Contact: Roxanne Pauline • 570-840-1650 • Roxiep9@aol.com
York
Join the NYC March. Organizing a bus. Contact us for details.
People for Peace and Justice
Contact: Leada • 717-515-0631 • ppjyorkpa@epix.net
Rhode Island
Providence
Forum On Iran • Wednesday, August 6, 2008 • Social Room at the Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Weybosset Street • 7-9:30pm
Three college professors will discuss the history, culture, religions, and current political situation in Iran. There will be a lively discussion after the presentations about the potential threat of U.S. or Israeli attacks on Iran and what that would mean to the futures of all three countries.
Rhode Island Mobilization Committee to Stop War and Occupation of Iran and Afghanistan
Contact: Sam Smith • ssmith@stonehill.edu
South Dakota
Rapid City
Rally • Jimmy Carter statue on 6th and St. Joseph • Noon-1pm • Bring signs that demand peace and political accountability.
Friends For Peace
Contact: Karen Faas • 615-593-0304 • kfaas@rushmore.com
Tennessee
Nashville
Protest: Stop the War on Iran • 5th & Broadway • 6-7:30pm
Hosted by the Nashville Peace Coalition
Texas
Houston
Rally • Friday August 1, 2008 • Mickey Leland Federal Building, 1919 Smith • 4 – 6pm
Houston Troops Out Now Coalition
Contact: Gloria Rubac • 713-503-2633 • houston@troopsoutnow.org
Utah
Salt Lake City
Emergency Vigil/action • Thursday, July 31, 2008 • Federal Building, 100 South State Street • 5:30-6:30pm
Demand that all talk of attack on Iran be STOPPED. There will be music, sign holding, and a soapbox for those who would like to say a few words.
People for Peace and Justice
Contact: Deanna Taylor • 801-631-2998 • info@utahpeace.org • www.utahpeace.org
Speak Out and Public Forum: Stop War On Iran! End! Don't Expand War In The Middle East • Saturday August 2, 2008 • SLC Library Auditorium 210, E. 400 South • 3pm
Film Showing: Blood and Oil and Panel Discussion
Wasatch Coalition for Peace and Justice
Contact: Dayne Goodwin • 801-631-2998 • daynegoodwin@gmail.org
Virginia
Virginia Beach
Demonstration: More Diplomacy! Less Deployments! • Gate 1, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base - Norfolk, Virginia (corner Little Creek Road and Shore Drive) • Noon - 1:30pm
Colorful, educational and peaceful Demo calling to Stop The Next War Now! No War on Iran! Bring 'Our' Troops Home! followed by a picnic & swimming for progressive, peaceful people. Staying over? Coming Early? Need accommodations? Call!
Hampton Roads Peace and Justice Coalition
Contact: Tom Palumbo • 757-470-9797 • NorfolkOffBase@GMail.Com
Washington State
Seattle
Demonstrate and March: Stop War on Iran, U.S. out of Iraq & Afghanistan, Money for Human Needs, Not War, Support I-97--Divest from War & Occupation • Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart • 12 noon • March to Westlake Center and Vigil until 3pm.
International Action Center
Contact: Jim McMahan • 206-218-4417 • jim@action-mail.org
Spokane
Rally • Spokane, River Front Park • 1pm
FOTO BOBAK, Photography & Film Agency
Contact: Babak Soheli • 509-879-3620 • fotobobak@yahoo.com
Washington, DC
Protest at the White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue • 3:00-4:30p.m. Informational leafleting and petition gathering stations will be set up at select locations across Washington DC before and after the White House action.
D.C. Stop War On Iran Campaign
Contacts: Malcolm Cannon, David Hoskins • 202-957-3387 • dcstopwaroniran@gmail.com
Wisconsin
Madison
Stop Iran War Town Hall Meeting • Tuesday July 15 • Madison University, Lowell Hall, 610 Langdon St., Rm B1-A/D • 7 – 9pm on U.S. Policy on Iran. Panelists to include Joe Elder, Jeff Patterson of PSR, Majid Sarmadi and others...with an open mic, moderated by Bonnie Block.
Co-sponsored by WNPJ, Madison Pledge of Resistance, UNA-USA-Dane County, WILPF, Health Writers and others.
Contact: Joy First at jsfirst@tds.net or Bonnie Block at bblock@charter.net
Rally • Saturday, August 2 • Across from the YWCA, North Hamilton St. • 9 - 11am
Join with others in this international effort to build peace and diplomacy with Iran. Petitions, puppets, drumming, speakers' box for those visiting the Farmers' Market. Join In!
Contact: Joy at jsfirst@tds.net or Bonnie at bblock@charter.net
Canada
Calgary, Alberta
Rally to Stop War on Iran • U.S. Consulate at Macleod Tr. and 7th Ave SW. • 1pm • Bring banners, placards, drums.
Calgary Coalition Against War and Racism
Contact: Nell Thurlow • calgarycawr@yahoo.com
Vancouver, British Colombia
Rally and March: Demand Stop War on Iran! US Hands off Iran! End Sanctions on Iran! • Vancouver Art Gallery Robson and Hornby • 2pm
Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) and Iranian Community Against War (ICAW) Vancouver
Contact: Kira Koshelanyk and Janine Sol • info@mawovancouver.org • www.mawovancouver.org • icaw.blogspot.com
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Rally • Canadian Federal Government Building, on Dorchester Street at Charlotte Street • 2 PM
Contact: Frances Oommen • f_oommen@hotmail.com
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