An end-of-year message from Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition

Dear supporter of the ANSWER Coalition ,

I am writing to you as someone who has supported the work of the ANSWER Coalition to thank you for all your efforts. I also want to give you an update on the important next major initiative that our coalition has taken against war, militarism and occupation.

We have been able to remain strong, consistently pushing forward—now with this new initiative—because of the commitment and support of you and so many supporters of the coalition.

ANSWER organizers and volunteers are working in the last days of 2009 as we have all year long—with dedication, sacrifice and effectiveness.

In the last month, ANSWER has helped pull together a broad coalition of forces who are uniting to bring tens of thousands of people for a National March on Washington, D.C., on Saturday March 20, 2010. This demonstration will oppose the rapidly expanding U.S. war in Afghanistan and the continued occupation of Iraq. There are coinciding mass demonstrations on March 20 in San Francisco and Los Angeles. We are also demanding an end to the horrendous siege of the suffering people of Gaza.

This is a huge endeavor and I am appealing to you to make a donation now.  Donations are tax-deductible if you desire. You can donate online or send a check by clicking this link.

The war criminal Bush is gone from office, but the need to rapidly expand the anti-war and social justice movement is never more important.

It is urgent that we act. The historic election of Barack Obama was a source of great hope and enthusiasm for tens of millions of people. The election of the first African-American president was truly historic given the defining nature of racism in the United States.

Yet, it is as clear as day that, while the personalities have changed in the White House, the institutions of war and empire remain firmly intact. Their money and power and orientation are driving the expansion of the war. The lobby of the Military-Industrial Complex is massive. It is is intertangled both with the Pentagon and the largest banks that profit from war and its expenditures.

In its short nine months in office, the Obama White House has ordered 60,000 more soldiers and marines to Afghanistan. That is more than double the number sent to occupy the country by Bush.

The U.S. government is not beginning to end the war. The promise to “start a withdrawal” in July 2011 was an oratorical device, a sleight of hand designed to appease public opinion, which largely opposes the war or is at least increasingly skeptical about the prognoses mouthed by political and military leaders.

Afghanistan is not a “just war.” It is a colonial-type war and huge portions of the Afghan population perceive it as that. There are now 140 armed insurgent groups fighting against the U.S./NATO occupation. This proves the breadth and depth of the nationalist response to foreign occupation.

Today, starts another chapter in the development of the anti-war movement in the United States. Please join with us. 

As you know, the ANSWER Coalition formed eight years ago—just three days after the September 11 attacks. It was a difficult moment to start an anti-war movement against Bush’s policies. His approval rating was 90 percent, and the country was dominated by anger and grief, both of which were easily manipulated by the Bush White House.

Within three weeks we organized a national demonstration of 25,000 people under the slogan that “war is not the answer.”

Our coalition has never retreated, but instead organized mass actions and campaigns during the past eight years. We have built a nationwide movement with the support of you and so many others.

Now is another critical moment and a test for everyone. Bush is gone, but the war in Afghanistan is expanding greatly, as is the “secret” war in Pakistan.

We believe that it is crucial to go all out in organizing public opinion to stop these and other wars and occupations. We can succeed in this struggle against war and for social justice if all of us commit to working together.

Please take a moment to make an urgently needed donation to support this critical effort by clicking here.

All out for the March 20 National March on Washington, D.C.

 
Brian Becker, National Coordinator of ANSWER