ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT HITS THE STREETS FROM COAST TO COAST

ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT HITS THE STREETS FROM COAST TO COAST

Thousands of people went into the streets in the U.S. on Sept. 25-28 to protest the occupation of Palestine and Iraq, as well as other U.S. occupations. Over 200,000 demonstrated worldwide in more than 45 countries.

The ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) coalition, in its action plan last spring, had supported a call by Palestinian groups for an international day of action on the third anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Intifada--the uprising of the Palestinians. Following the growth of Iraqi resistance to occupation, the protest was expanded to also call for an end to U.S. occupation in Iraq and other countries.

The call gained support from a broad array of anti-war, anti- imperialist, immigrant and community organizations in many U.S. cities. Many stepped up their efforts after Bush's recent speech calling for $87 billion to shore up the failed occupation in Iraq.

5,000 IN LOS ANGELES

"Let there be no doubt. This was a pro test," uttered the lead news anchor for KCAL 9 news in Los Angeles as he introduced the Sept. 28 ANSWER-organized demonstration that made its way through the streets of Hollywood.

Among the 5,000 attendees at the march and rally were labor, immigrants' rights, Asian and Palestinian organizations.

A strong and vibrant contingent of Latino military families--Familias de Militares Hispanos--chanted "Regresen las tropas hoy"--bring the troops home now. Fernando Suarez del Solar, the group's spokesperson and father of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq, told the crowd that when his son died, the government lied to him about the cause of death. "Bush does not have any moral fiber," commented Suarez in reproach.

Michel Shehadeh, one of the Los Angeles 8--pro-Palestine activists the government tried and failed to deport for a decade--warned about the dangers the Patriot Act presents to activists who dare question Washington's reactionary policies. "This war has nothing to do with terrorism," commented Shehadeh. "It is about corporations getting war profits."

Bolstered by the people's movement against the U.S. occupation of Iraq, Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich made a last-minute appearance. He took the position that control of Iraq should be turned over to the United Nations.

John Beacham, organizer for ANSWER and contributing writer for the Workers World newspaper, exhorted the crowd to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians, the people of Iraq and all those working people being oppressed under the capitalist system. "Their battle is our battle," exclaimed Beacham. Beacham also asked people to join the socialist cause, proclaiming, "Socialism provides solutions to poverty and racism."

SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE, SAN DIEGO

In San Francisco on Sept. 28, more than 5,000 people marched, chanting "Self-determination, not occupation," "Bring the troops home now" and "Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation." The demonstrators marched from Dolores Park in the Mission District to the Civic Center. Large delegations attended from the Filipino and Korean communities.

In Seattle that day, some 300 activists from diverse organizations came out to rally and march against occupation and to bring the troops home now. Protesters gathered at Occidental Square for an initial rally, co- chaired by Jane Cutter of ANSWER and Joaquin of Anak Bayan. Speakers included Mike Dedrick of Vets for Peace, Joann Alcantera of Gabriela Network and Nizar Mansour of Voices of Palestine.

Mansour, a graduate of Bethlehem University, spoke of the everyday racism experienced by Palestinians under occupation. "I will fight for my land, not because I am a terrorist but because I am a revolutionary."

In San Diego on Sept. 27, the ANSWER Coalition's march and rally drew over 60 activists. Rappers and poets were intermingled with speakers from Veterans for Peace, California Coalition Against Poverty, Raza Rights, GI Rights Committee, the ANSWER coalition and the International Action Center.

CHICAGO, DETROIT

After a march on the Israeli Consulate led by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine, nearly 500 people attended an indoor rally at the First United Methodist Church in Chicago's Loop on Sept. 26. Nearly half the audience came from Chicago's African-American communities.

Popular African American talk radio show host Cliff Kelly and Mahmud Ahmad of the Free Palestine Alliance chaired the rally, which called for an end to occupation and colonialism from Palestine to Iraq and across the world.

Long-time immigrants-rights activist Emma Lozano of Pueblo Sin Fronteras described the Immigrant Freedom Ride and the departure of the Chicago contingent the next day. Lionel Jean-Baptiste, a member of the Evanston, Ill., City Council and a longtime fighter for social justice, spoke out in defense of Zimbabwe and its President Robert Mugabe. Kathy Kelly of Voices in the Wilderness, who had just returned from Iraq, called for an end to the U.S. war on the Iraqi people.

Elias Rashmawi of the Free Palestine Alliance and the International ANSWER Steering Committee described how U.S. imperialism's strategists view the Middle East as essential for world domination because of its position encompassing major waterways and access to three continents, as well as its rich oil deposits.

Former Congressperson Cynthia McKinney called for an end to the war against the people of Iraq and related how the Bush administration had put U.S. service members in harm's way. McKinney called for the U.S. troops to be brought home now.

Larry Holmes of the International Action Center and the ANSWER Steering Committee gave a rousing talk that highlighted the importance of the anti-war movement staying in the streets.

Other speakers represented Interna tionals for Justice in Palestine, the Chicago Anti Bashing Network, the Chi cago Coalition Against War and Racism and the International Action Center.

A Detroit anti-war, anti-occupation protest on Sept. 27 drew 125 people. Speakers included the mother of an anti-war GI currently in Iraq. A member of UAW Local 6000 representing Michigan state workers spoke about the drastic concessions and budget cuts going on in Michigan while billions go to the war and occupation. The action was sponsored by Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice.

NEW YORK, BOSTON

In New York on Sept. 28, a loud and spirited crowd of more than 2,500 gathered at Columbus Circle to call for an end to the occupation of Palestine and Iraq. The demonstrators, organized by a broad coalition of labor, community, youth and anti-war groups, marched through midtown to the East Side, stopping at the Philippine, Colombian, Korean and Israeli missions to the United Nations.

Speakers included Larry Holmes of the International Action Center; Saeed Ariqat, prominent Palestinian-American journalist and DC Bureau Chief of Al-Quds newspaper; Brenda Stokeley of NYC Labor Against the War, and representatives from many international solidarity organizations. The program featured an exciting mix of music and culture from many of the occupied countries.

In Boston, hundreds of protesters waved rainbow flags and chanted as they marched behind a pickup truck from the city's Copley Square to the Park Plaza Hotel.

Protests and meetings were also scheduled over the weekend in St. Louis, Kansas City and Alexandria, Va.

Contributors to this report include Adrian Garcia in Los Angeles, Gloria Verdieu in San Diego, Jane Cutter in Seattle, Bill Hackwell in San Francisco, Bill Massey in Chicago, Dave Sole in Detroit and Dustin Langley in New York.