The press release below was issued Nov. 27 by Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, and Sarah Sloan, National Staff Director of the ANSWER Coalition.
When President Obama tells the nation that he is expanding the war in Afghanistan, the anti-war movement will be taking to the streets in protests staged in cities and towns throughout the United States.
The U.S./NATO military intervention in Afghanistan is not a "war of necessity." It is a colonial-type war. The people of Afghanistan will resist until the foreign occupation ends. There are over 140 armed insurgent groups in Afghanistan indicating the breadth of opposition to foreign occupation.
The ANSWER Coalition and others are planning street protests in cities around the country opposing President Obama's decision to expand rather than end the war in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is like Vietnam in this respect: The politicians and generals know that victory is now impossible, but they do not want to take responsibility for a withdrawal that will be perceived as a defeat at the hands of an armed insurgency in a poor, Third World country. There is no reason that the mothers and fathers of the United States should send their children to kill or be killed in Afghanistan so that the political leaders of the country can avoid taking responsibility for a military setback.
Demonstrations are planned in cities and towns across the country to coincide with and follow President Obama's scheduled speech on Afghanistan. Actions will take place on Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2. Click here to view a listing of events.
People from all over the country are also organizing for a National March and Rally in Washington, D.C., set for Saturday, March 20, 2010, which will to demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan and Iraq. Click here to learn more about the March 20 demonstration.
Interviews with leaders of the anti-war movement are available. Please contact Sarah Sloan at 202-904-7949 to make arrangements.