THOUSANDS PROTEST NEW WAR AGAINST IRAQ IN SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, OAKLAND & OTHER CITIES
DEMAND "STOP THE WAR BEFORE IT STARTS" & CALL FOR NATIONAL MARCHES IN WASHINGTON AND SAN FRANCISCO ON OCT. 26 AS PART OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MASS ACTION
Thousands of people marched and rallied in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland and Fresno on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, to demand "Stop the War Before It Starts." The demonstrations in S.F. and L.A. were called on short notice due to the deepening Iraq war crisis.
In San Francisco, a march from UN Plaza to Jefferson Square Park grew to 3,000 people. Demonstrators chanted "No new war against Iraq – end the sanctions now," and "Who's gonna stop the war? We're gonna stop the war" as they marched up Market St, receiving wide support from people along the way.
A strong emphasis at the opening and closing rallies was on the upcoming International Day of Mass Action, October 26, when mass marches will take place in Washington DC and San Francisco as part of a worldwide day of protest.
Strong support was expressed for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union in their contract struggle. The Bush administration has threatened to intervene militarily if there is a strike by the ILWU.
At the opening rally, police arrested two protesters, Jackie Santos and Zulma Oliveras, from the Comite '98, after an incident involving a counter-demonstrator carrying a sign saying "Bomb Bagdad (sic)." Zulma is being held on an outrageous bail of $40,000 on the equally outrageous charge of 2nd degree robbery. Witnesses to the incident are requested to contact the Int'l. ANSWER Coalition office. [update on arrest on Zulma Oliveras]
Among the speakers at the Sept. 14 San Francisco rallies were:
Clarence Thomas, Secretary-Treasurer, Int'l. Longshore & Warehouse Union, Lo. 10;Nancy Mitchell, Int'l. ANSWER-Act Now to Stop War & End Racism Coalition; Rula Khalafawi, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, SF; Rev. Dorsey Blake, Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples; Barbara Lubin, Middle East Children's Alliance; Nazila Bargshady, Bay Area Iranians for Peace & Justice; Tommi Avicolli Meoli, Harvey Milk Lesbian/Gay/Bi /Trans Democratic Club; Walter Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer, San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO); Riva Enteen National Lawyers Guild; Ramiz Rafeedie, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; Richard Becker, International Action Center; Henry Clark, West County Toxics Coalition; Richard Mead, President, ILWU Lo. 10; Margo Okazawa-Rey, East Asia-U.S.-Puerto Rico Women's Network Against Militarism; Judy Greenspan, California Prison Focus; Mario Santos, BAYAN – People's Movement of the Philippines, and others.
For more information, call Int'l. ANSWER Coalition, 415-821-6545
ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 THOUSANDS PROTEST NEW WAR AGAINST IRAQ IN SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, OAKLAND & OTHER CITIES TO DEMAND: "NO U.S. WAR AGAINST IRAQ!"
A.N.S.W.E.R. CALLS FOR WORLDWIDE DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST U.S. WAR ON IRAQ ON OCTOBER 26 WITH MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN WASHINGTON, DC AND SAN FRANCISCO.
In Los Angeles, 2,000 gathered at the Westwood Federal Building for a spirited rally, and then marched through Westwood Village chanting and carrying signs against U.S. war on Iraq. Demonstrators chanted " Money for healthcare, NOT for warfare," and "Who's gonna stop the war? We're gonna stop the war!"
To see photos of march link to http://futurevisionactions.50megs.com or http://la.indymedia.org/news
In San Francisco, a march from UN Plaza to Jefferson Square Park grew to 3,000 people.
A strong emphasis at the opening and closing rallies was on the upcoming International Day of Mass Action, October 26, when mass marches will take place in Washington DC and San Francisco as part of a worldwide day of protest.
The event in Los Angeles was initiated by ANSWER and endorsed by a broad spectrum of anti-war and community organizations. Speakers at the rally included
Michel Shehadeh, Free Palestine Alliance;. Richard Bis, BAYAN International USA; James Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild; John Parker, International Action Center; Yael Korin, Jews for a Just Peace; Lorenzo Reyes, Puerto Rican Alliance; Yong-Bin Yuk, Mindullae; Elke Heitmeyer, Coalition for World Peace, Hamid Kahn, South Asia Network, Margaret Prescod, Every Mother is a Working Mother, Not In Our Name Coalition; Cheryl Deptovich; Radical Women; and Ruth Caffrey for the ANSWER Coalition
Thanks to all the volunteers, musicians, organizations and participants that helped make this activity a success. Special thanks to the Korean drummers!
UPCOMING
Saturday, Sept. 28: Western Regional March in San Francisco to protest U.S.-sponsored Israeli War Crimes Against Palestinians and No War On Iraq. Call ANSWER Los Angeles for bus information.
Saturday, October 26: International Day of protests to Demand No War on Iraq. Mass demonstrations in Washington DC and San Francisco.
Stay in touch for local actions.
The ANSWER Los Angeles Steering Committee: Free Palestine Alliance; American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee - Southern California Chapter; BAYAN International USA; Palestinian-American Women's Association; National Lawyers Guild; International Action Center.
For more information call the ANSWER Coalition at (213) 487-2368
www.answerla.org
email: answer-la@a
Activist Zulma Olivares was released Monday night, Sept 16, 2002, around 8:30 after spending nearly 72 hours in jail on bogus charges of 2nd degree robbery. All charges against her were dropped. On Saturday, Sept. 14th at a mass rally to "Stop The War Before It Starts" in San Francisco, Zulma was arrested after an incident involving a counter-demonstrator carrying a sign saying "Bomb Baghdad (sic)". Zulma was initially held on $40,000 as well as being charged with 2nd degree robbery. "If the system thinks that they could put out the flame for justice in my heart this experience has added more wood to keep that flame and passion going. The next time I hope there will be more supporters for future actions," Zulma said today. Anyone who witnessed the incidence or the arrest is being asked to contact the ANSWER office at 415-821-6545
International Action Center
39 West 14th Street, Room 206
New York, NY 10011
email: iacenter@action-mail.org
En Espanol: el_iac@yahoo.com
web: http://www.iacenter.org
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