International A.N.S.W.E.R. Anti-war Plan of Action
IAC-SF-owner@yahoogroups.comGo to: Logistics and Preparation for Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, San Francisco Action
Download San Francisco pdf flyer for SATURDAY SEPT 14, 2002 ACTION
Dear Friend,
September 4, 2002--The consequences of a new all-out war against Iraq a country whose people have suffered indescribable misery over the past 12 years are almost unimaginable. Yet, without a doubt, such a war is exactly what the Bush administration is planning and preparing.
On August 27, 2002, speaking on the Pacifica Network show "Democracy Now," Ramsey Clark called on people in the United States to "do all we can to stop a new war before it starts." Ramsey was in Basra, Iraq, having just visited in hospital the survivors of a U.S./British bombing raid that killed eight civilians and wounded nine others. Specifically, he urged all those listening to join the Sept. 14-16 days of emergency action to "Stop the War Before It Starts," and the Oct. 26 International Day of Mass Action.
When Wolf Blitzer of CNN charged on August 29 that Ramsey Clark was being "used by Saddam Hussein," Ramsey ridiculed the accusation and replied: "You can still say what you believe, you can still stand for what is right. If you don't do that, who are you, what do you stand for, and what's going to happen to the world?" We are writing to ask for your support and active participation at this critical moment in the struggle to prevent a new war against an already-devastated country. It has become clear in recent weeks that major division exists within the foreign policy and national security establishment over Iraq. Key figures from the first Bush administration have expressed doubts about or opposition to the headlong rush to war advocated by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Perle, etc. The public opinion poll numbers have shifted significantly in the direction of opposing a new war against Iraq.
At the same time, the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld grouping is leaving no doubt that they want to invade Iraq and overthrow its government, sooner rather than later. Bush's recent statement to Britain's ITV network, "I've made up my mind Saddam must go," captures both the extreme arrogance of the administration's position, as well as its complete disdain for international law. The aim of a new war against Iraq will not simply be the further punishment of a country that has suffered more than 1.5 million deaths due to 12 years of sanctions/ blockade and bombing. The goal this time will be "regime change," i.e. the establishment of a colonial government in Baghdad, which will have to be maintained in power by tens or hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops for many years to come.
We cannot know ahead of time all of the consequences of a new Iraq war, by we can be assured that it will be disastrous not only for the people of that country and the entire Middle East, but also for the people of the United States. The Bush team's vision of the future is one of endless war, unparalleled military build-up, revoked civil rights and civil liberties, and eliminated social programs, environmental regulations and labor unions.
We cannot rely on divisions at the top or public opinion polls to prevent a new military adventure. Only by the intervention of the people in the political process, only by demonstrating our opposition in the streets, can we hope to prevent a new war against Iraq. It is important to remember that it was an upsurge of anti-war activity from Ohio State to Cairo that prevented the Clinton administration from invading Iraq in February 1998. The International A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition has launched a plan of action aimed at stopping a new war before it starts. Last week, we played a key role in organizing protests at Bush's appearances on the West Coast. At the same time, the Ramsey Clark-led delegation arrived in Iraq. The anti-war delegation has received widespread attention in the national and international media, including BBC, CNN, Reuters and many others. While building for the Oct. 26 International Day of Mass Action, A.N.S.W.E.R has just issued a call for emergency actions Sept. 14 17 to "Stop the War Before It Starts." Activities are planned for Washington DC (outside the annual international arms bazaar when Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld speaks), Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Chicago and many other cities.
ANSWER Action Plan to Stop the New War on Iraq Before It Starts
Sept. 14 16: National Days of Action Across the U.S. (SF protest: Sept. 14, 11 am, UN Plaza)
Oct. 26: National Anti-War Marches in Washington, DC and San Francisco
Please email or call us at (415) 821-6545 if you would like a PDF version of the flyer sent over email or copies sent to you by mail.
We need your participation, your help and your financial support at this critical juncture. Your generous donation now can make all the difference. To turn the tide against a new war, we need to get the word out around the world about Ramsey Clark's findings in Iraq, as well as prepare for the upcoming mobilizations in Sept. and the National Marches in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco October 26. Tax-deductible donations can be made ONLINE at www.progressunity.org, or by calling (415) 821-6545 to make a credit card donation over the phone. Or you can fill out the following coupon and mail to International ANSWER, 2489 Mission St. Rm. 24, San Francisco, CA 94110
Enclosed is my donation of (please check one):
___ $2000 ___ $1000 ___ $500 ___ $250 ___ $100 ___$50 ___$25 ___ other (Tax-deductible contributions to "Progress Unity Fund")
Please charge my credit card for $ _______ Card # ______________________________ Exp. ____/____ (will appear as Progress Unity Fund)
Signature _________________________________________
____ Please call me about volunteering to help build the Sept. 14 protest.
Name _________________________________
Phone # __________________________________
Let's stand together, speak out and do all that we can to stop a new war before it starts.
Richard Becker
Elias Rashmawi
Barbara Lubin
Gloria La Riva
Riva Enteen
For the International A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
National Emergency Actions to STOP THE WAR BEFORE IT STARTS No New War Against Iraq! SAT. SEPT. 14, SAN FRANCISCO
11 am Opening Rally – UN Plaza, near Market & 7th St. (Civic Ctr. BART)
12 noon March
1 pm Closing Rally – Jefferson Square Park, Turk & Gough St.
Help stop the war before it starts! After the devastating Gulf War, which killed 200,000 Iraqis, and 12 years of genocidal sanctions which have taken the lives of over 1.5 million Iraqi civilians, the Bush administration is trying to launch a new all-out military aggression against Iraq. Bush and his fellow corporate cronies are also trying to turn their "endless war" on workers, using the cover of "Homeland Security" to justify government intervention in the labor movement.
We must stop them in their tracks! On Sept. 14, join people across the U.S. to demand: Govt. Hands Off Our Unions! Defend Civil Rights & Civil Liberties! Stop Racist Scapegoating! Money for Jobs, Healthcare, Housing, Schools – NOT for War!
Call 415-821-6545 for more info. Email answer@actionsf.org to request a pdf of the flyer, or go to www.actionsf.org or www.internationalanswer.org.
THURS., Sept. 12 MASS LEAFLETTING AT BART & BAY AREA PUBLIC TRANSIT Call 415-821-6545 or come by the office at 2489 Mission St., Rm. 24 (near 21st) in San Francisco to pick up leaflets. We plan to flood the Bay Area during morning and evening rush-hour on Thursday & Friday to get the word out!
THURS, Sept. 12, 7:00 pm ANSWER meeting & worksession Join us at 2489 Mission St., Rm. 30 (near 21st St.) at 7 pm for an update and discussion about the Bush administration's war plans and a worksession to prepare banners, signs, etc. for Saturday's rally.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE DAY OF THE RALLY. Please call us at 415-821-6545, email vol@actionsf.org, or show up at 10 am at UN Plaza.
International Action Center
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New York, NY 10011
email: iacenter@action-mail.org
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go to http://www.peoplesrightsfund.org
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