A New Year's Message from IAC founder Ramsey Clark

            The year 2007 has been another marked by endless war, lawlessness and cruelty by the Bush administration.  Thousands more Iraqis have been killed or injured.   The enormous humanitarian crisis effects millions of Iraqis, including children, who lack basic necessities--housing, healthcare, electricity, even food.  More U.S. soldiers are dying or injured, then facing inadequate care and benefits. The administration continues to use deception and lies to whip up hostility to Iran , as they did prior to the Shock and Awe bombings of Iraq in 2003.  Bush and his cronies continue to defy international law and human rights with the brutal, illegal detentions at Guantanamo, and widespread use of torture.

            Contrary to the will of the people in the U.S. who oppose this horrific war, the administration has no plans to withdraw the troops and end this criminal occupation. Bush is demanding tens of billions of dollars more for war, on top of the $476 billion which has already been spent for destruction, while millions here need healthcare and housing, and those devastated by Hurricane Katrina have been abandoned by the government.

             But there is reason to be hopeful. There is great opposition here to the government’s endless war and brutality, and outrage at its attacks on civil liberties and basic rights here at home, including the merciless witch-hunt against immigrants.  It is crucial that this opposition grows and strongly challenges the Bush administration’s every move.   We must all demand accountability for the current war and the impeachment of President Bush and his partners-in-crime; this is a powerful way to stop an attack on Iran and prevent other wars of aggression by future administrations.

            The International Action (IAC) Center has been a major organizing force against U.S. wars and military interventions for 16 years, going back to its anti-sanctions campaign and protests of the first Gulf war.  This principled organization of activists has stood up and bravely opposed U.S. aggression against Iraq , Cuba , Panama , Haiti , Venezuela , Palestine, Lebanon , Somalia , Iran and Korea . 

            The IAC has organized countless demonstrations, meetings, and forums in numerous cities against the U.S. intervention in Iraq .  Its organizers have produced videos and books--translated into many languages--for anti-war protesters here and around the world.  It has made an excellent contribution for activists and educators with “Poison Dust,” a video produced by the People’s Video Network, on the perilous effects of U.S. depleted uranium weapons.

            IAC leaders and I just returned from an international conference in Kolkata (Calcutta), India , called by the All-India Anti-Imperialism Forum, which has asked the IAC to play a leading role in a worldwide organization to end colonialism and globalization which they established.

            The IAC has taken on struggles against racism, injustice, and much more—from standing with Hurricane Katrina survivors in their quest for justice, to supporting immigrants’ rights, to opposing the death penalty and challenging military recruitment.  Wherever the IAC is needed, it’s there, with its program of organizing and activism!

            The IAC looks forward to a new year of struggle against war and injustice.

            Our New Year’s Resolution for 2007 must be to organize together tirelessly to end this horrendous war and bring all U.S. troops home from Iraq NOW! 

            We must act together to stop a new war against Iran or any other nation.  We must strive to promote international friendship, sharing and true respect for humankind and to oppose the policies of domination, globalization, and war.

            We must all do more!  We invite you to join in the new year of activism with the IAC and to support its vital work. 

            You can make a difference!