Momentum Builds
for Sept. 24 Mass March
in Washington DC
The importance of the mass antiwar protests being organized on September 24 is driven home by two major new stories appearing today (May 19). A front-page article in the New York Times, headlined "Generals Offer a Sober Outlook on Iraqi War", is further confirmation of what has become crystal clear over the past month: The U.S. war strategy is in deep crisis and there is no more a "light" at the end of the tunnel in Iraq than there was in Vietnam. Pulling back from their rosy assessments of just a month ago, one unnamed top officer stated that the war could last "many years."
"The rising economic cost of the Iraq war" is the headline in the Christian Science Monitor. By 2010, according to the Congressional Budget Office, "war expenses might total $600 billion." The Congressional Research office predicts another $458 billion, on top of the $320 billion already appropriated a total of $758 billion (more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars) by 2014.
The cost in human lives and critically needed resources has already been enormous. More than 100,000 Iraqis have been killed and untold numbers wounded. Living conditions have declined drastically in most of the country, while the indices of malnutrition, sickness and illiteracy have all risen sharply, astounding statistics given the fact that the baseline for measurement was a society that had lived for 13 years under genocidal sanctions. More than 1,600 U.S. soldiers have been killed, and over 28,000 have suffered from serious wounds (many causing permanent disability), injuries and illness.
We must emphasize that as George Galloway, an antiwar member of the British Parliament, pointed out this week, the "case for war was a pack of lies." Galloway’s testimony to a Senate sub-committee headed by Sen. Norm Coleman was a devastating blow, not only to the right-wing, war mongering senator, but even more so to the administration’s now-discredited justification of the invasion of Iraq. As Galloway so eloquently explained in a presentation unprecedented in the mainstream media here, all the killing, dying and suffering in Iraq has been sold to the people on false pretenses.
At the same time, we know that the Bush administration and its supporters, Democrat as well as Republican (the Senate vote for next year’s war appropriation was 99-0), plan to continue the war and occupation in Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Haiti and elsewhere, the threats against other countries from Korea to Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, Syria, etc., and the attacks on living standards here, until they forced to stop.
It is this reality that underlines the importance of holding a united mass action on September 24 in Washington DC. On that day, thousands will assemble at the White House at 12 noon and march through the streets of DC. Parallel mass protests are planned for the West Coast in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
As the Call to Action states, "There is nothing more urgent than to construct unity in the face of Empire. Real unity cannot be built by sacrificing the rights of some but rather it will be forged by embracing everyone’s rights and just struggles for liberation. United we are the majority. United we can fight and win."
Momentum Builds:
- Over 2,000 endorsers in just one week
- Transportation already planned nationally
Since the call for United Mass Action on September 24 in Washington DC - with coordinated actions in San Francisco and Los Angeles - was issued just one week ago, mobilizing has begun in cities and towns across the country. It is clear that activists are united on the importance of holding a massive mobilization in Washington DC on September 24 - and using every day available to mobilize.
In the first 5 days, over 600 endorsements were received - and in the last 3 days that number has more than tripled. There are now over 2,000 endorsers who have signed on to the September 24 Call! Fill out the Endorsement Form to add your name to this important Call to Action (endorsements from individuals and organizations are welcome - public listing is optional).
Many of the endorsers are from local peace and social justice organizations who are also planning to mobilize their members and constituencies to be in DC on September 24. Already, plans are being solidified for buses, vans and car caravans to travel from across the United States to be in Washington DC for the Mass March on September 24, as well as in San Francisco and Los Angeles for the coordinated actions.
In southern New Jersey, buses are picking up from in front of malls and courthouses in several locations before heading to DC. In northern New Jersey, picks ups are from two train stations and a university. People have offered to drive their cars from locations as diverse as Dallas, Texas (21 hours from DC) and Farmville, Virginia (3 hours from DC) to come Washington DC with as many people as they can fit. There is a van planning to drive over 14 hours from Montfort, Wisconsin. Coordinated transportation is coming from Charlotte, North Carolina. And that's just to mention a few.
Begin to make your plans today! Use the next four months to fill as many buses as you can to be in DC on September 24. Fill out the Transportation Form to list your city and contact information so that we can help spread the word. If you have never organized transportation from your city before, contact the National Office of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition by calling 202-544-3389 x14 or emailing [email protected]. We are happy to help with advise and answers to any questions you might have.
Here's how you can get involved:
- Read the Demands and the Call to Action
- Spread the word by forwarding this email (you can use the "Email this page" button at the top of the email, or your email program's forwarding mechanism) or by handing out flyers (see below)
- Download flyers
- Endorse
- List transportation from your city
- Funds are urgently needed
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org
[email protected]
National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
New York City: 212-533-0417
Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
For media inquiries, call 202-544-3389.