SUPPORT GROWS FOR MARCH 20 PROTESTS

International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 10 has again shown the way by voting at its January 15 membership meeting to hold a Stop Work meeting on March 20 to shut down San Francisco Bay ports. The Stop Work meeting will be held in solidarity with the actions planned in San Francisco and around the world.

* The San Francisco March 20 demonstration will begin at Dolores Park, 18th & Dolores Sts., at 11 a.m. and will march to the S.F. Civic Center. Call 415-821-6545 for more information.

* In New York City, the demonstration will assemble at Madison Square Park Madison Ave. and 23rd St.
(the crowd will flow north along Madison Ave.)

* In Los Angeles, the demonstration is planned to assemble at 12 noon at Hollywood and Vine. Call 213-487-2368 for more information.

Al-Awda, NLG & 500+ endorse March 20 call to End Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine & Everywhere     

There has been an enormous outpouring of support for the call to make March 20 a day demanding "End Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine and Everywhere." We are pleased to announce that Al-Awda - the Palestine Right to Return Coalition and the National Lawyers Guild have joined this Call to Action, along with over 500 organizations and individuals (in just four days), signaling the making of a unified mass mobilization inclusive of communities and organizations nationwide.

Join as we collectively build for a global day of justice by adding your name as an endorser. To endorse, simply fill out the form at http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/index.html#endorsement  

Call to Action

BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW! END COLONIAL OCCUPATION FROM IRAQ TO PALESTINE AND EVERYWHERE! / 20 de marzo de 2004: Convocatoria internacional en el Ier. aniversario del inicio de la invasión de Iraq - En solidaridad con Iraq y Palestina  / SOLIDARIEDADE Entidades dos EUA conclamam: "Todos às ruas em 20 de março!" / International day for Peace Action march 20th, 2004 Protest march TO THE US Air Base / NUCLEAR WEAPONS arsenal at Ramstein, Rheinland-PALATINATE, GERMANY

On March 20, 2004, the first anniversary of the U.S./U.K. invasion of Iraq, people in cities around the world will join together to demand: "End the Occupation - Bring the Troops Home NOW!" In the U.S., major demonstrations are planned in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and many other cities.

We will demonstrate on March 20 to support the right of the Iraqi people to self-determination without condition. Since the invasion began, tens of thousands of Iraqi people have been killed. Thousands of U.S. and British soldiers have been killed or wounded. The Iraqi people are resisting the occupation - they want the foreign soldiers occupying their country to leave, not tomorrow but today. Growing numbers of U.S. soldiers and their families are calling for the troops to be brought home NOW. These soldiers are being sent to kill and be killed for a war that was based on lies and fraud perpetrated by the Bush government. There is only one solution: to end the occupation now! We believe, in the words of the National Council of Arab Americans, that "internationalizing the occupation gives colonialism a new marketable cover and should not be accepted as a viable option for the global popular movement."

We will also demonstrate on March 20 in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, including the right to return to their homes and land. The March 20 demonstration comes only ten days before the anniversary of the historic March 30, 1976, Land Day in Palestine. Calling for liberty, right to return, and self-determination for the Palestinian people on March 20 is an essential political necessity, without which the end to colonial occupations cannot be fully realized. The U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq is part and parcel of the administration's larger colonial project targeting the people of the Middle East. While the Bush administration spends $2 billion per week to occupy Iraq, it spends $15 million each day to support Israel's war against the Palestinian people.

We will demonstrate on March 20 to overturn the "USA Patriot" Act, and to end the repression directed at Arab American, South Asian, Muslim and immigrant communities. We will defend the right to free speech and oppose Bush's and Ashcroft's war on the Bill of Rights.

We will demonstrate on March 20 to call for money for jobs, housing, health care and education, not for war and occupation.

We will demonstrate on March 20 to demand an end to the Bush administration's "Endless War" plans for global domination. We stand for an end to U.S. intervention, occupation and threats against Korea, Colombia, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Syria, the Philippines, Haiti and everywhere.

Only the people's movement offers hope that an effective challenge can be mounted to the Bush administration's war drive. While the Democratic Party offers candidates to contend with Bush for the presidency, it agrees with Bush about maintaining U.S. troops in Iraq and supports continued aid to Israel as it wages war against the Palestinian people. On April 20, 2002, 100,000 people marched in an historic demonstration in Washington DC under the banner "Free Palestine." Six months later, on October 26, 2002, hundreds of thousands demonstrated against the pending war of aggression against Iraq. On January 18, February 15-16, March 15, March 22, April 12 and most recently October 25, 2003, tens of millions of people went into the streets around the world to say no to the Bush administration's war drive. This is a monumental struggle waged by the people of the world who seek self-determination, justice and peace. Global solidarity is the centerpiece of the new mass movement that has emerged to counter the forces of militarism and colonialism. The outcome of this struggle will impact on generations to come.

All Out for March 20, 2004

Call issued by (list in formation): -A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) Coalition
-Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition
-Arab Muslim American Federation
-Free Palestine Alliance
-Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation
-Muslim Student Association of the U.S. and Canada
-National Lawyers Guild

To ENDORSE, fill out the easy-to-use form at http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/index.html#endorsement  

 Begin planning now to hold a demonstration in your city on March 20, 2004. Hundreds of cities around the world are issuing, circulating and joining this call. For more information, contact the A.N.S.W.E.R. National Office at 202-544-3389.

- In New York City, the demonstration is planned to assemble at 12 noon at Times Square with a march to the United Nations. Call 202-544-3389 or 212-633-6646 for details about upcoming city-wide planning meetings and for more information. - In San Francisco, the demonstration is planned to gather at 11 am at Dolores Park (18th St. and Dolores St.) with a march to the Civic Center. Call 415-821-6545 for more information. - In Los Angeles, the demonstration is planned to assemble at 12 noon at Hollywood and Vine. Call 213-487-2368 for more information.

If you are holding an event in your city, fill out the form at http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/index.html#event  

Downloadable flyers and more information is available at http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/index.html  

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition is circulating the recent March 20, 2004, Call to Action issued by the National Council of Arab Americans (NCAA):

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ARAB AMERICANS (NCAA) CALL TO ACTION ALL OUT ON MARCH 20, 2004

The National Council of Arab Americans (NCAA)  joins the call for mass mobilizations against the war on and foreign occupation of Iraq, to be held on Saturday, March 20, 2004. Being also only 10 days before the anniversary of the historic March 30, 1976, Land Day in Palestine, calling for liberty, right to return, and self-determination for the Palestinian people on that same Saturday is an imperative complementary political necessity, without which the end to colonial occupations cannot be fully realized.

Marking only the latest assault on Iraq one year ago this coming March, the NCAA well recognizes that only through a systematic and organized grassroots effort that a halt to perpetual war can be achieved. Although exposing US strategic goals through education is of primary importance, it is the ability of the American people to marshal a united front anchored in the principles of liberty, freedom and respect for self-determination that has undoubtedly become priority one.

In formulating the organizational and political framework of this united movement, the role of Arab-Americans and Muslims is central. As a people who are at the primary receiving end of the ravages of war and racism in their multiple forms, our community must take difficult extra steps to assert its constitutional right to free speech and assembly despite all attempts and scare tactics to abrogate these rights. Not only do we have this responsibility to ourselves and to our children, history has also placed upon us the task of halting the advance of yet another form of McCarthyism and fear. To that end, and despite many imposed hardships, we call on our communities in all sectors nationwide to assume our just role in shaping a better future for this country and the world by mass mobilizing against war and racism.

Indeed, the people of the United States, inclusive of all and barring none, have an historic duty and a collective responsibility to: (1) terminate the escalating state of war of an emerging empire, particularly against the Arab people, by ending the occupation of Iraq and bringing the troops home NOW; (2) stop all forms of economic, political, and military support for the State of Israel, and, instead, support the rights of Palestinians for liberty, self-determination, and the full right to return; (3) repeal the USA PATRIOT Act, terminate institutional collective criminalization of Arab Americans and Muslims, and secure constitutional rights for all; and (4) redirect budgetary allocations to domestic reconstruction and needs rather than militarism and colonial expansions.

It is precisely the multi-faceted nature of this ever-expanding war that we are tasked to recognize. Delinking issues for political and organizational expediency by selectively focusing only on one aspect of this war is wrong and dangerous. It not only weakens the emerging global movement for freedom and liberty but also marginalizes the voices of war's many victims.

True, the challenges before us are difficult and monumental, but history, in particular during the past 2 years, has shown that we are equal to the task when some waited in doubt. As evidenced on the days of October 26, 2002, January 18, February 15-16, March 15, April 12, and most recently October 25, 2003, we are a people that have repeatedly taken to the streets in the hundreds of thousands representing millions from coast to coast as we soundly stood with millions across the globe against war in favor of peace. We have rejected colonialism in favor of self-determination, opposed the USA PATRIOT Act in favor of constitutional rights, and demanded funding for education and health care instead of militarism.

But we also need to be clear on what we stand for in this emerging movement. Positions such as "internationalizing the occupation" give colonialism a new marketable cover, and should not be accepted as a viable option for this global popular movement. This is a time when political clarity is a must. Regardless of the source, the notion that the people of Iraq "need some form of Western intervention", even if temporary, to secure their very own stability is overtly racist and a real threat to civilization. Self-determination should clearly preclude the return of any "modern" form of the "Mandate" days of the League of Nations. Such is the global grassroots consensus; it must become so for the movement and popular opinion in the United States.

Ending the ongoing foreign occupation of Iraq and stopping the destruction and exile heaped on the Palestinian people are inextricable dual tasks that require a reformation of our vision towards the world and us as a people of a variable mosaic. We must succeed in formulating a strategic vision where we are partners in the community of nations and in the building of our own neighborhoods and school districts.

We cannot continue the path of perpetual domestic and foreign confrontation and dominance.

All Out On March 20, 2004

The National Council of Arab Americans (NCAA) - December 24, 2003

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20 de marzo de 2004: Convocatoria internacional en el Ier. aniversario del inicio de la invasión de Iraq - En solidaridad con Iraq y Palestina

Llamamiento de la coalición ANSWER y otras organizaciones estadounidenses en apoyo a la Jornada Internacional contra la ocupación del 20 de marzo

CSCAweb, 16 de enero de 2003
EEUU, 6 de enero de 2004
Traducción: Loles Oliván, CSCAweb

"La invasión y ocupación de Iraq forman parte del amplio proyecto colonial de la Administración Bush que tiene como blanco a los pueblos de Oriente Medio. Mientras gasta dos mil millones de dólares por semana para ocupar Iraq, la Administración Bush gasta 15 millones diarios en su apoyo a la guerra de Israel contra el pueblo palestino"

El llamamiento para hacer del 20 de marzo una jornada para exigir el "fin a la ocupación colonial de Iraq y Palestina y en todas partes" ha recibido un apoyo efusivo [1]. Nos complace anunciar que la Coalición Palestina por el Derecho al Retorno al-Awada y el Gremio Nacional de Abogados (National Lawyers Guild) se han unido a esta convocatoria junto a más de 500 organizaciones e individuos (solo en los primeros cuatro días), en lo que constituye la creación de una movilización unitaria masiva que incluye a comunidades y organizaciones a nivel nacional.

El 20 de marzo de 2004, [cuando se cumple] el primer aniversario de la invasión anglo-estadounidense de Iraq, los pueblos del mundo se unirán a nosotros en sus ciudades para exigir: "Fin de la ocupación", "Retorno de las tropas ya". En EEUU, las manifestaciones más multitudinarias tendrán lugar en Nueva York, Los Ángeles, San Francisco y otras muchas ciudades.

En solidaridad con Iraq y Palestina

Nos manifestaremos el 20 de marzo en apoyo al derecho del pueblo iraquí a la autodeterminación sin condiciones. Desde que comenzara la invasión, cientos de miles de iraquíes han sido asesinados. Miles de soldados estadounidenses y británicos han sido muertos o heridos. El pueblo iraquí está resistiendo a la ocupación: quieren que los soldados extranjeros que ocupan su país se vayan, no mañana, sino hoy. Un creciente número de soldados de EEUU y de sus familias están pidiendo que se devuelva a las tropas a casa ya. Esos soldados han sido enviados a Iraq para matar y ser matados en una guerra que se ha basado en mentiras y en el fraude perpetrado por la Administración Bush. Sólo hay una solución: el fin de la ocupación ya. Creemos, en palabras del Consejo Nacional de Árabes-Americanos, que "internacionalizar la ocupación otorga al colonialismo una nueva cobertura vendible y no debe ser aceptada como opción viable por el movimiento popular internacional"[2] .

También nos manifestaremos el 20 de marzo en solidaridad con el pueblo palestino y por su derecho a la autodeterminación, incluido el Derecho al Retorno [de los refugiados] a sus hogares y a su tierra. La manifestación del 20 de marzo tendrá lugar sólo diez días antes del aniversario del histórico 30 de marzo de 1976, el Día de la Tierra en Palestina. Reivindicar la libertad, el Derecho al Retorno y la autodeterminación para el pueblo palestino el 20 de marzo es una necesidad política esencial sin la que no se puede realizar el fin de las ocupaciones coloniales.

La invasión y ocupación de Iraq forman parte del amplio proyecto colonial de la Administración que tiene como blanco a los pueblos de Oriente Medio. Mientras gasta dos mil millones de dólares por semana en ocupar Iraq, la Administración Bush gasta 15 millones diarios en su apoyo a la guerra de Israel contra el pueblo palestino.

Por las libertades civiles y contra la "Guerra permanente" de Bush

Nos manifestaremos el 20 de marzo para revocar el USA-Patrioc Act [3] y para que se ponga fin a la represión dirigida contra las comunidades árabes-americanas, sudasiáticas, musulmanas e inmigrantes. Defenderemos el derecho a la libertad de expresión y nos opondremos a la guerra de Bush y Ashcroft contra la Declaración de Derechos.

Nos manifestaremos el 20 de marzo para reivindicar dinero para el empleo, la vivienda, la salud y la educación y no para la guerra y la ocupación.

Nos manifestaremos el 20 de marzo para exigir y poner fin a los planes de "Guerra permanente" de la Administración Bush para la dominación global. Apoyamos el fin de la intervención, de la ocupación y de las amenazas de EEUU contra Corea, Colombia, Afganistán, Cuba, Irán, Zimbawe, Venezuela, Siria, Filipinas, Haití y contra cualquier otro lugar.

Solo el movimiento de los pueblos ofrece la esperanza de que un reto eficaz puede superponerse a la deriva de guerra de la Administración Bush. Aún cuando el Partido Demócrata ofrece candidatos que rivalizan con Bush para la presidencia, aquel está de acuerdo en mantener a las tropas de EEUU en Iraq y apoya la ayuda continua a Israel para que lance su guerra contra el pueblo palestino. El 20 de abril de 2002, 100.000 personas participaron en una manifestación histórica en Washington DC bajo el lema "Liberad para Palestina" [4]. Seis meses después, el 26 de octubre de 2002 cientos de miles se manifestaron contra la prevista guerra de agresión contra Iraq. El 18 de enero, el 15 y 16 de febrero, el 15 y el 22 de marzo, el 12 de abril y, más recientemente, el 25 de octubre de 2003, decenas de millones de personas salieron a las calles en todo el mundo para decir no a la campaña de guerra de la Administración Bush.

Esta es una lucha monumental lanzada por los pueblos del mundo que buscan la autodeterminación, la justicia y la paz. La solidaridad global es el pilar del nuevo movimiento de masas que ha emergido para oponerse a las fuerzas del militarismo y el colonialismo. El resultado de esta lucha afectará a las generaciones venideras.

¡Todos a la calle el 20 de marzo!

Llamamiento firmado por:

ANSWER ('Act Now to Stop War & End Racism') Coalition
Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition
Arab Muslim American Federation
Free Palestine Alliance
Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation
Muslim Student Association of the US and Canada National Lawyers Guild

Firmas del manifiesto

Notas de CSCAweb:

1. Véase este primer llamamiento de ANSWER en CSCAweb: Intensificar la movilización contra la ocupación

2. Carta abierta de la comunidad árabe y musulmana de EEUU al Movimiento contra la Guerra en relación a la convocatoria del 20 de marzo - Nota preliminar del CSCA: mantener los lemas del 20 de marzo en solidaridad con Iraq y Palestina Open letter from the Arab-American and Muslim Community to the US Anti-War Movement

3. Véase en CSCAweb: Guerra y represión: la 'USA-Patriot Act' recorta los derechos civiles y ataca las libertades fundamentales en EEUU bajo el pretexto de garantizar la "seguridad nacional" y sobre las actuación gubernamental en EEUU contra el movimiento contra la guerra: El movimiento contra la guerra de EEUU responde a los ataques del FBI

4. Véase en CSCAweb: Brian Becker: ¿Por qué se puede llamar "histórica" la protesta del 20 de abril en EEUU?

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22 de janeiro de 2004

SOLIDARIEDADE Entidades dos EUA conclamam: "Todos às ruas em 20 de março!"

A coalizão Answer e outras organizações norte-americanas lançaram um apelo — "Todos às ruas em 20 de março!" — em favor do reforço à Jornada Internacional contra a ocupação do Iraque por tropas estadunidenses e britânicas. A ocupação completará um ano neste dia. Answer é a sigla em inglês de Act Now to Stop War & End Racism (Atue Agora para Deter a Guerra e Acabar com o Racismo). Veja o texto da conclamação:

"A invasão e ocupação do Iraque fazem fazem parte de um amplo projeto colonial da administração Bush, que tem como alvo os povos do Oriente Médio. Enquanto gasta US$ 2 bilhões por semana para ocupar o Iraque, o governo dispende US$ 15 milhões diários em apoio à guerra de Israel contra o povo palestino.

A proposta de fazer do 20 de março uma jornada para exigir o fim da ocupação colonial do Iraque, da Palestina e outros lugares recebeu um apoio efusivo.

Temos o prazer de anunciar que a Coalizão Palestina pelo Direito ao Retorno al-Awada e a Ordem Nacional de Advogados (National Lawyers Guild) se uniram a esta convocação,, junto com mais de 500 organizações e indivíduos (apenas nos primeiros quatro dias; uma atualização feita no último dia 17 já ultrapassava 1.500). Isto representa a criação de uma convocação unitária massiva, que inclui comunidades e organizações nacionais.

Em 20 de março de 2004, quando se completa o primeiro aniversário da invasão anglo-americana do Iraque, os povos do mundo se unirão a nós em suas cidades para exigir "Fim da ocupação" e "Volta das tropas já". Nos EUA, as maiores manifestações serão as de Nova York, Los Angeles e São Francisco, entre muitas outras cidades.

Solidariedade ao Iraque e à Palestina

Vamos nos manifestar no 20 de março em apoio ao direito do povo iraquiano à autodeterminação sem condições. Desde que começou a invasão, centenas de milhares de iraquianos foram assassinados. Milhares de soldados americanos e britânicos foram mortos ou feridos. O povo iraquiano está resistindo à ocupação: quer que os soldados estrangeiros vão embora de seu país, não amanhã, mas hoje.

Um crescente número de soldados dos EUA e suas famílias estão pedindo que as tropas sejam mandadas de volta para casa. Os soldados foram enviados ao Iraque para matarem e morrerem numa guerra que se baseou em mentiras e na fraude perpetrada pela administração Bush.

Só há uma solução: o fim da ocupação agora. Acreditamos nas palavras do Conselho Nacional de Árabe-Americanos: "Internacionalizar a ocupação outorga ao colonialismo uma nova cobertura, um disfarce, e não deve ser aceito como opção viável pelo movimento popular internacional".

Também nos manifestaremos no 20 de março em solidariedade ao povo palestino e seu direito à autodeterminação, inclusive o Direito ao Retorno dos refugiados aos seus lares e à sua terra. A manifestação terá lugar apenas dez dias antes do aniversário do histórico 30 de março de 1976, Dia da Terra na Palestina. Reivindicar a liberdade, o Direito ao Retorno e autodeterminação para o povo palestino no 20 de março é uma necessidade política essencial, sem a qual não se pode esperar o fim das ocupações coloniais.

Contra a guerra permanente de Bush

Exigiremos no 20 de março que se revogue o USA-Patriotic Act ("Lei Patriótica) e pelo fim da repressão dirigida contra as comunidades árabe-americanas, asiáticas, muçulmanas e de imigrantes. Defenderemos o direito à liberdade de expressão e nos oporemos à guerra de Bush e Aschcroft contra a Declaração de Direitos.

Manifestar-nos-emos no 20 de março por recursos para empregos, moradia, saúde e educação e não para a guerra e a ocupação.

Manifestar-nos-emos no 20 de março pelo fim dos planos de "Guerra Permanente" da administração Bush, visando o domínio do globo. Apoiamos o fim da intervenção, da ocupação e das ameaças norte-americanas contra a Coréia, a Colômbia, o Afeganistão, Cuba, Irã, Zimbábue, Venezuela, Síria, Filipinas, Haiti e qualquer outro país.

Só o movimento dos povos oferece a esperança de se opor um obstáculo eficaz à linha de guerra da administração Bush. Mesmo que o Partido Democrata apresente candidatos para concorrer com Bush à presidência, concorda em manter as tropas no Iraque e apóia a ajuda a Israel na guerra contra o povo palestino.

Em 20 de abril de 2002, cem mil pessoas participaram da histórica manifestação em Washington, sob o lema "Liberdade para a Palestina". Sete meses depois, em 26 de outubro de 2002, centenas de milhares protestaram contra a prevista agressão ao Iraque. Em 18 de janeiro, em 15 e 16 de fevereiro, em 15 e 22 de março, em 12 de abril e, mais recentemente, em 25 de outubro de 2003, dezenas de milhões de pessoas saíram às ruas em todo o mundo para dizer "Não" à campanha de guerra do governo Bush.

Esta é uma monumental luta dos povos do mundo que buscam a autodeterminação, a justiça, a paz. A solidariedade global é o pilar do novo movimento de massas que emergiu para se opor às forças do militarismo e do colonialismo. O resultado desta luta afetará as gerações futuras.

Todos às ruas no 20 de março!"

Além da Answer, assinam a convocação as seguintes organizações: - Coalizão al-Awda
- Coalizão Palestina do Direito ao Retorno
- Coalizão Árabe-Muçulmana-Americana
- Federação Palestina Livre
- Aliança Muçulmano-Americana
- Fundação Liberdade da Sociedade Americana
- Associação Muçulmana de Estudantes dos EUA
- Ordem Nacional dos Advogados do Canadá

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