Anti-War Events in All 50 States
an article by Robin

According to the official website of United for Peace and Justice, www.unitedforpeace.org, there were were actions against the Iraq War in 765 communities and all 50 states in the US on the second anniversary of the war, March 18-20.

United For Peace and Justice (UFPJ) is an umbrella organization representing grassroots movements throughout the country.

Here are some excerpts from the article on their website: "The extraordinary breadth of the weekend's anti-war activities reflect the vitality of grassroots peace activism." There were acts of civil resistance in Portland, Maine, Eugene, Oregon and New York City.

"Many events featured family members of active-duty soldiers, veterans of this and previous wars, and relatives of slain servicepeople, all speaking out against the continued U.S. military occupation of Iraq. In Fayetteville, North Carolina, the home of Ft. Bragg, more than 4000 people joined military families and vets to say real support for the troops means bringing them home. It was the largest protest there since Vietnam."

"The reports we received from smaller towns and cities are particularly inspiring, reflecting a real growth in anti-war sentiment and organizing in many conservative areas of the country." Examples are given from: Sandpoint, Idaho; Barre, Vermont; Terre Haute, Indiana; Providence, Rhode Island; Blacksburg, VA; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Emporia, Kansas.

"UFPJ's strategy for this year's anniversary of the war was to emphasize local protests and local movement-building, rather than to focus on a handful of large mobilizations in major cities. Judging from the reports we've received, it was an extremely successful approach, helping to deepen and broaden anti-war sentiment all across the nation."

DISCUSSION

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How can the peace movement become stronger and more effective?


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MAKING AN EFFECTIVE PEACE MOVEMENT

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The peace movement can become stronger and more effective in two ways: recognizing peace movements in other countries such as Iraq this week, and in the US by continuing the momentum. On April 15th, several actions are planned reminding tax payers how much of their tax dollars go to fund the war machine, April 29, Bruce Gagnon's Global Network vs. Nuclear weapons in Space will meet in NYC, followed by the Mayors for Peace Non-Proliferation Treaty renewal rally in Central Park.
And Jonathan Schell will be speaking at the West Hartford Town Hall on Tuesday April 12 at 7:00 p.m. He is one of the leading philosophers of the peace movement.

This report was posted on April 7, 2005. The moderator is Tony.

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