March 19-20 Global Days of Action
• London Day of Action against War and Occupation!
• Statement from
Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the
Muslim Association of Britain, Handed into the US Embassy and Downing
Street
• End
the Occupation of Iraq! Take Up the Task of Bringing into Being an
Anti-War Government! -
Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist)
• Statement
on the Second Anniversary of the Iraq War -
Iraq Veterans Against the War
• Speech
at Fayetteville Rally, N.C.-
9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, David
Potorti
London Day of Action against War and Occupation!
As part of worldwide actions, the people of Britain held massive rallies in London and elsewhere. Like in the U.S., while the Blair government claims the war is just, the people of Britain are standing with the world in opposing this aggression and demanding withdrawal of the troops. Given that Britain is considered the most reliable ally in the war, this broad opposition in both the U.S. and Britain has significance. We provide below a report on the action, as well as two statements.
* * *
On Saturday, on the eve of the second anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, well over 100,000 people marched through the streets of London to protest against the illegal war and continued occupation of Iraq, as well as the continual interference by all the big powers, headed by US imperialism, in the Middle East.
Some estimates suggested that some 200,000 people demonstrated in a march that stretch from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square and passed the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square. The demonstration was so large that even though it began leaving from Hyde Park at 1pm people were still entering Trafalgar Square more than three hours later. Many people remarked on the massive numbers of demonstrators, especially at this time when the monopoly media has been conducting an offensive to disinform the population on the "democratization" of the Middle East, the elections in Iraq, and that, despite its problems, "freedom" had come to the Iraqi people. But the people's experience of the warmongering character of the occupation and of the program of the British government cannot be denied.
The demonstration was characterized not just by the large numbers of people who took part but the fact that it represented all sections of society: Muslims, Christians and other faith communities, pensioners and youth, people of all nationalities and from all walks of life united in their opposition to war in general, the actions of the big powers in regard to Iraq and other countries in the Middle East. Some placards and banners reflected the concern that the US and its allies might yet attempt to attack Iran, Syria and other countries, while thousands of placards condemned the role of Blair and the New Labor government. The demonstration was particular vocal as it passed by the heavily guarded US Embassy, the first time that a demonstration has been permitted to take this route for many years. Marchers shouted slogans denouncing US imperialism and its chieftain George W Bush, and blew whistles and horns. Some demonstrators carried effigies of Bush and Blair and the march was also accompanied by the music and drumming of the many musicians who took part.
Amongst the banners and placards carried by marchers were the following: Bush, the butcher of Baghdad; No war on Iran; US-UK forces out of Iraq; Bring the troops home; War is the terrorism of the rich; Bush - world's No.1 terrorist; Against all wars; Imperialism out of Iraq -- Labor Party war party; End the occupation of Iraq -- End the torture; Free Palestine; 1805 Britannia rules the waves -- 2005 Britain waives the rules.
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Statement from Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Muslim Association of Britain, Handed into the US Embassy and Downing Street
To: President George Bush
Prime Minister Tony Blair
Dear Mr Bush and Mr Blair
On behalf of the thousands of people demonstrating in London today -- alongside millions around the world -- on this, the second anniversary of the unlawful and unnecessary aggression against Iraq, we urge you to change the dangerous policies being followed under the heading of the "war on terror".
In particular, we demand that you:
Set an early date for the swift withdrawal of your troops from occupied Iraq, as the Italian government has been forced to do, and restore full and unconditional sovereignty to the Iraqi people.
Pledge not to launch attacks against Iran, Syria, or any other sovereign state, to abide in future by international law, abandon the pernicious doctrine of "pre-emptive war" and to seek the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
Cease placing restrictions on the human rights of the citizens of the USA, Britain and other countries of the world, end the torture of detainees and all imprisonment without trial - at Guantanamo Bay above all.
Cease all support for Israel's illegal and brutal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, as a pre-requisite for any peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.
Comply with your obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and begin to disarm your own nuclear weapons.
Only such a change of policy can start to ease international tension, in the Middle East in particular, and restore respect for human rights.
Yours,
Andrew Murray, Chair Stop the War Coalition
Kate Hudson, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Anas Altikriti, Muslim Association of Britain
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End the Occupation of Iraq! Take Up the Task of Bringing into Being an Anti-War Government!
- Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist) -
On March 19, the second anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq, RCPB(ML) salutes all the millions of justice-loving people in this country and around the world taking a stand against occupation, war and aggression. These actions are an expression of the people's opposition to the path of wrecking and destruction along which Anglo-American imperialism is taking the world. This path is creating the most dangerous situation for the people on the world scale, as Bush and Blair step up their program of aggression and intervention, undertaken in the name of “democracy”, “war against terrorism” and “opposing tyranny”, but in reality a program of fascism and war.
RCPB(ML) on this occasion calls on the working class and people to step up their demands of ending the occupation of Iraq, withdrawing all occupying forces, and ending all interference in the affairs of other nations. We call on the working class and people to strengthen their unity in struggle with all the world's people taking a stand in defense of their sovereignty and against the use of force in international affairs.
The invasion and occupation of Iraq has brought to the fore and deepened the crisis of legitimacy and credibility of the system of so-called “representative democracy”. It has shown the depths to which the ruling circles will sink to impose their archaic system around the world in the name of “conviction” and “universal values”. It has demonstrated the implacable opposition of these circles to the will of the people for peace, democracy and justice.
It is a matter of principle that in this coming period, which the ruling circles in Britain have already de facto declared as a run-up to the next election, the people do not abandon their own experience and that the anti-war movement sticks to its aims. The anti-war movement must strengthen its unity by confronting the warmongering policy of the British government and continuing to build the movement dedicated to consolidating itself as a true bulwark against the growing darkest reaction and war.
As the Iraqi people step up their resistance to the brutal and illegal occupation of their country, as the Palestinian people continue their struggle against the US-backed Israeli occupation and for their statehood, as the Korean people demand that the US end its threats against their country and get out of the Korean peninsula, through their struggles they are also affirming that Another World Is Possible! The British people are standing as one with these and other peoples internationally in their struggles, building a truly broad movement encompassing people from all walks of life, of different ideologies and backgrounds.
Our Party calls on the people to intensify their fight to end the occupation of Iraq and to bring the troops home. It calls on the working class and people to take up the task of bringing into being an anti-war government which is accountable to the electorate, based on the following principles:
… Outlaw any and all British involvement in wars of aggression and renounce the use of force in settling international affairs
… Accept the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.
… Recognize the sovereignty and equality of all nations
… Adopt a foreign policy independent of the United States
… Remove all British troops from foreign soil
… End the militarization of the economy
… Pay reparations for all the crimes of British imperialism and colonialism
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Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Iraq War
- Iraq Veterans Against the War -
Today marks the second anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, a key milestone in the current U.S. Government’s campaign of lies and deceit common since 9/11. We were first told that there was a link between Iraq and the horrible 9/11 attacks. But there was none. Then we were told that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction; yet only a few old warheads and some dormant bacterial cultures have been found despite rigorous searching. Then finally, we were told that Saddam Hussein was training terrorists to attack the United States, but no terrorist presence seems to have existed in Iraq prior to the massive build-up in early 2003. Post-invasion Iraq, however, has clearly become a hotbed for new terrorist threats.
We, the veterans of the war, now know all of these reasons for invading the sovereign country of Iraq were false, and we have paid a heavy price for these lies. Two years into a seemingly endless war, our nation has incurred a terrible debt, while the corporations who profit from the business of war reap millions. Our deficit has climbed to a rate that can only be paid by our children’s grand children. While our domestic programs crumble, the social and economic future of our children is indeed bleak. Most tragic, over 1,500 of our comrades in arms have given the ultimate sacrifice for this senseless, imprudent, and immoral policy of war and occupation. A cross section of our county, these extraordinary men and women came from all walks of life. They were both poor and wealthy, high school dropouts and highly trained professionals. All believed in their country’s leadership and in their own duty to that country, and so they went into needless slaughter. Every one of these fallen comrades was loved by their families and many in their community. They were our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives, our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers; most of all, they were our friends and they are sorely missed. If they could arise from their graves and speak, they would tell us to find a better way to solve our conflicts.
Whatever the reasons for this counterproductive conflict, it is now clear that it had nothing to do with helping the Iraqi people. We, the troops, were told that we were not invaders and occupiers, but liberators and protectors of the Iraqi people, and that we would bring them freedom, prosperity and a better life. Specific numbers of the Iraqi dead are not known, since "We don’t do body counts," as General Tommy Franks said. However, we do know that we shoulder some of the responsibility for the thousands of innocent civilians that have been killed. In addition, important commodities such as food, water, power, and sanitation are not readily available ensuring the continued suffering and death of countless innocent Iraqis. Iraqi Children play amongst explosives and clouds of depleted uranium dust, and bombings of markets and mosques are a daily occurrence. In many ways, we have made the lives of average Iraqis worse, not better, since the invasion. It is no wonder, then, that the terrorism that was not present in Iraq prior to the US invasion is now a daily reality there.
On the second anniversary of this unwise, unjust, and unproductive invasion, Iraq Veterans Against the War call upon our President, the Congress, and all elected officials to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq and the Middle East. We also demand full funding for the medical needs of our returning veterans, including treatment for post traumatic stress disorder and the effects of depleted uranium. Finally, we call for all citizens of the United States to demand that their government end the pillaging and destruction of Iraq so that everyday Iraqi people can control their own lives and country.
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Speech at Fayetteville Rally, N.C.
9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
(peacefultomorrows.org)
- David Potorti
-
In the words of the poet Stanley Kunitz, "to whom can one pledge one's allegiance except to the victims?"
On September 11th, 2001, my brother became a victim of international terrorism. And in the days that followed, it became clear that his death would be used as an excuse to wage war on the world. As one of my friends, Rita Lasar, wrote only a few days after the death of HER brother at the World Trade Center, "it is in my brother's name and mine that I pray that we, this country that has been so deeply hurt, not do something that will unleash forces we will not have the power to call back."
Today, three and a half years later, we see clearly the forces that we unleashed after September 11th. And we see clearly the consequences of unleashing those forces—the consequences to our families, to military families, to Iraqi and Afghan families, to our Constitution, to our reputation, and to the security of our nation and of the entire world.
As we commemorate the second anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, I ask you to remember September 11th. Because it is in the name of those killed on September 11th that we today occupy a country which had nothing to do with September 11th. A country which posed no threat to our country. A country which had no connection with Al Qaeda before the war, but has one now, because of the war.
Today I ask you to remember September 11th, because it was a day when we had an historic choice: a choice to join the rest of the world, or to condemn the world to an endless series of wars, and an endless series of victims. Today, on the second anniversary of the Iraq war, we see clearly the consequences of making the wrong choice after September 11th. Today, it is time to return to that historic moment when we had an opportunity to join the rest of the world in pursuing real solutions to terrorism, instead of terrorizing the rest of the world with pre-emptive war.
Today, let us remember the suffering of our families on September 11th—which was well documented—but let us also remember the families who have suffered in the name of September 11th: Afghan families, Iraqi families, Spanish families, Japanese families, South Korean families, Canadian families, British families, Italian families, and all of the other military families and civilians whose suffering has NOT been well documented.
Let us remember those who return to Dover Air Force base in coffins in the middle of the night so we can’t see them. Those who sit forgotten in veterans hospitals. Those who will be victimized for the rest of their lives by images of terrorism, and violence, and war as a result of our wrong choices after September 11th.
It is to this larger human family of victims that I pledge my allegiance, and declare that I will not support the killing of children who are just like my children, the killing of parents who are just like my parents, and the killing of brothers who are just like the brother I lost at the World Trade Center. I will not respond to terrorism by becoming a terrorist. And I will not support a war, fought in my name, that terrorizes the people of Iraq, terrorizes our troops, and terrorizes the world. Today, I pledge my allegiance to the victims, and join my friends on this stage and in this audience and around the world who say stop this war, bring the troops home now.