Two months of anti-war activity culminated at the end of September in dynamic encampments to stop war at home and abroad and militant, anti-imperialist and anti-racist demonstrations in both Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

D.C. march steps off from Encampment. photo: Deirdre Griswold

Here in Washington, during the Sept. 22-29 Encampment to Stop the War at Home and Abroad, more and more participants arrived and staked their tents in front of the Capitol building as the Sept. 29 mass march approached. A real sense of unity could be felt among the many activists from varied struggles who share a common enemy.

A FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) trailer brought by Katrina survivors direct from New Orleans joined the Iraq Veterans Against the War bus, which had been parked in front of the Encampment since Sept. 22. The tent city was treated to a delicious meal of shrimp, crawfish and sausage cooked by the Common Ground Collective organizers who, after traveling more than 17 hours to get to the Capitol from New Orleans, spent the next day cooking the meal.

Encampment participants, mostly women from Code Pink, disrupted a Senate Appropriations Hearing on Sep26 in which Secretary of Defense Robert Gates requested an additional $42 billion in funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gates’s appeal brings the 2008 request for war funds—above and beyond the even larger Pentagon budget—to a record high of almost $190 billion.

Members of the cast of “SiCKO”—Michael Moore’s movie exposing the exploitative for-profit health care system—arrived on Sept. 28 to augment the demand for “Health care, not warfare.”

Other events in the last three days of the Encampment included a meeting on the struggle of survivors for justice in the wake of Hurricane/Rita, and immigrant rights; a delegation that called on the acting Attorney General to free the Cuban Five; a health care vigil; a militant youth action with several targets; and a concert to demand an end to martial law in the Philippines. Rock the Rulers, the week-long concert series of the Encampment, brought cultural inspiration and resistance every night.

Mass march ties issues together

WW photo: Gary Wilson

A preliminary report issued by the Troops Out Now Coalition states: “The march on Saturday, Sept. 29 was a departure in tone and make-up from many past anti-war demonstrations. It was a serious and highly successful effort to involve more community-based organizations and issues and to link the struggle against the war with the struggles against racism, oppression and economic injustice at home.”

A multinational crowd of some 10,000 to 15,000 included contingents from organized labor; lesbian, gay, bi and trans activists; Katrina survivors; International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal; the Peoples Organization for Progress; Iraq Veterans Against the War; the Green Party of the U.S., BAYAN USA; and more.

The march route included stops to protest at the offices of FEMA, where Katrina survivors accused the agency of neglect; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where protestors shouted “Melt ICE” and “Stop the raids;” the Department of Social Services; and the Department of Education, where Code Pink, chanting “Books not bombs,” covered up part of the “No child left behind” slogan to read “Every child left behind.”

Speakers and performers at the rally all drew clear links between the war in Iraq and the war at home, including a labor delegation with Brenda Stokely of the Million Worker March Movement, Charles Jenkins and Larry Adams of the New York City Labor Against the War, and members of District Council 37; political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, via a recorded greeting from death row; Malik Rahim, Common Ground Collective; Medea Benjamin, Code Pink; Bernadette Ellorin and Christine Hilo, BAYAN USA; Larry Hamm, People’s Organization for Progress; and David Swanson, After Downing Street.

Also speaking were Ardeshir Ommani of the Stop the War On Iran Campaign and American Iranian Friendship Committee; Ignacio Meneses, National Network on Cuba; Walter Sinche, May 1st Immigrant Rights Coalition; Rosita Romero, Dominican Women’s Development Center; Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus; Adam Kokesh, Iraq Veterans Against the War; Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army veteran and 16-year diplomat who resigned in opposition to the Iraq war; Victor Toro, Chilean leader of MIR being threatened with deportation; Debra Sweet of World Can’t Wait; and Teresita Jacinto Oliva of Mexicanos Sin Fronteras.

Continuing the short, punchy talks were Jared Ball, and Sara “Echo” Steiner, Green Party members; Charlotte Kates of Al-Awda New York, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition; Pam Africa, International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal; political prisoner Leonard Peltier, via a statement; Sonia Umanzon of the FMLN (Faribundo Martí National Liberation Front); Katrina survivors Ivey Parker and Christine Gavin-Lathan; Mohammad Awdallah, U.S. Popular Palestine Conference Network; Ricardo Prado of the Colombian political party Democratic Pole; Tyneisha Bowens of FIST—Fight Imperialism, Stand Together; Larry Holmes, Teresa Gutierrez and Sara Flounders for TONC and the International Action Center; Omowale Clay, December 12 Movement and Friends of Zimbabwe; and Milton St. Germaine, New England Human Rights Organization for Haiti.

Independent media part of movement

While the capitalist media practically boycotted the marches on Sept. 29 and provided limited coverage of the Encampments, independent media was there in force to convey the event’s message to the world. In Your Face radio broadcast daily interviews from the Encampment throughout the week. Pacifica’s KPFK radio was the media sponsor for the Los Angeles march and Encampment.

An enthusiastic report on the march in Washington, D.C., can be heard on the local Indymedia affiliate (dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/141002/). The commentator states: “On the 29th of September, the campaign against the war in occupied Iraq once again took to the streets ... demanding an end not only to the war in occupied Iraq, but the global war on the poor, as fought in New Orleans, fought in Jena, fought on the Mexican border. This was a surprisingly militant march that tied the different aspects of George Bush’s crimes together.

“Apparently Troops Out Now understands that this is not just about Iraq; the same regime that wages war on the people of Iraq is also the regime that sponsors gentrification in our cities and the wholesale incarceration of African-American youth, the vicious fascist crackdown on Latin@ immigrants, and so many other evils. ... All this noise can certainly be heard in Central Cell Block where prisoners are being held.”

The report quoted Larry Adams, who expressed “solidarity with the historic Iraqi resistance, who are on the frontlines of the fight against our common enemy, which is U.S. imperialism.”

Describing the youth action that took place at the end of the rally—which blocked the streets in front of the Capitol until 10 p.m. that night—the reporter concluded: “You can think of the long occupation of Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues as target practice for things that are surely going to come as people get more and more pissed off about this war that is one war from occupied Iraq, to occupied New Orleans, from occupied Palestine to Jena, to the neighborhoods right here in occupied Washington. ... George Bush says ‘Bring it on’; well that’s exactly what we’re gonna do!”

Pam Parker at D.C. Sept. 29 rally. " border="0"> Larry Holmes, Dani Gale, Nana Soul and Pam Parker at D.C. Sept. 29 rally. WW photo: Liz Green

If polls showed the average person saying that the traditional protest—complete with marches, placards, chants and permits—no longer has a potent effect on an apathetic government and that bureaucrats simply bide their time until the rabid moon bats that have descended upon their provinces return to the trailer parks, projects, flooded wards and mortar-ravaged ghettos that they came from, most activists would be hard pressed to prove them wrong.

But on Sept. 22, something magical began to happen.

The Troops Out Now Coalition began a weeklong Encampment in front of the reflecting pool at the Capitol building. In contrast to the one it held last March, the Encampment would be infused with music. Unlike every other demonstration that took place this year, culture would not simply be a careless afterthought, but rather would provide the fuel needed to draw thousands of people to the demonstration.

Each day, activists spread through the neighborhood, engaging the community, and each night the Encampment grounds sprouted more tents and music filled the hearts of everyone who heard it.

From punk rock to poetry to hip hop, the Troops Out Now Coalition rocked the rulers—hence the name of the weeklong concert, reminiscent of Woodstock minus the psychedelic mushrooms (in most cases).

On Sept. 29, a rally featuring dozens of speakers from across the world addressed several issues, including the right to return for Palestinians and Katrina survivors alike, freedom for political prisoners, the need for health care, housing, better education, an end to the war in Iraq and a halt of plans of impending conquest in Iran, women’s rights, police brutality and more.

Punctuated by live music performances, the gathering alternated between lulling people and firing them up. By 2 p.m. thousands were ready to march on Washington. But the people didn’t walk alone. Thanks to a sound truck that cranked out not only chants and slogans, but anti war anthems like “War” by Edwin Starr and “I’m Black and I’m Proud” by James Brown, marchers couldn’t help but dance their way down the route.

What resulted was a parade with fire, an energetic display of dissent and culture that had people who observed it hanging from their windows waving and cheering and passing cars blaring horns in solidarity. In the front holding the lead banner were elders, youth, whites, Blacks, Latin@s, women and men. On the sidelines women went shirtless, hefting signs that said “Breasts Not Bombs!” When the throng snaked its way around a construction site, labor activists immediately began to flier and converse with the workers. And when those in front made a turn and caught sight of the tail end of the march, complete with a bus proclaiming “Iraq Veterans Against the War,” they were sent into a triumphant frenzy. The sound was deafening, empowering and mighty.

But none of this would compare to the moment when the march reached an underpass close to Third Street and Constitution Avenue. Taking advantage of the natural echo, the protestors began to bellow, letting loose all the rage and frustration against the inept and corrupt U.S. government. They mourned dead soldiers, Iraqi civilians and victims of police brutality and FEMA. They celebrated their own courage and the love with which they championed the people’s rights.

Something spread through the crowd then, something that can never be explained. Whatever it was, it was beautiful and it called for action. And so, hundreds of youth tore away from the procession and commandeered a stretch of road and blocked city traffic claiming it in the name of Freedom for several hours. The more experienced activists responded by making sure they had food, water and legal representation.

Those who attended witnessed an important piece of history, where the gaps between the old and young were bridged, where all colors spoke in the same voice, danced to the same rhythms and carried the same banner.

Black Power! Revolution, then peace!

Power to the people!

The writers are artists and activists with Black Waxx Recordings.

College Democrats attend D.C. March
By: Sarah Fry
Posted: 10/2/07

WASHINGTON - The Temple College Democrats, other Temple students and local Philadelphians were among a crowd of about 1,500 anti-war protesters who rallied and marched in Washington, D.C., Saturday.

Troops Out Now Coalition, a national grassroots group, organized the majority of the protest. It was put together "to demand an end to the war at home and abroad," TONC media coordinator Lelani Dowell said.

Citizens from across the nation joined in the effort including the Darr family who biked for six months from Portland, Ore. Tala Darr, 12, said her mom, her mom's boyfriend and her two-year-old twin sisters made the trip "to stop the war" - the central issue surrounding the protest.

Temple College Democrats President Anna Walker said she "thought it would be a good event, early in the year" for her group to get involved in.

"[We want] to see reform happen and reform happen now," said Walker, a junior economics and political science major.

Unlike other rallies, this event was described as "the first national multi-issue protest" by Betsy Piette, a member of the Philadelphia International Action Center.

"[The event] was purposefully built that way," Piette said.

Issues addressed Saturday included health care, homelessness, Hurricane Katrina, the Jena Six, immigration, education, Iraq and the possibility of the United States invading Iran.

Senior anthropology major Rebecca Reynolds said she noticed one common theme at the rally. "[There were] a lot of different causes represented, but basically at the heart it's all about equality," Reynolds said.

A majority of the speakers at the event echoed the sentiments expressed by Adam Kokesh, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

"Power ultimately rests with the people and the people will get the government they deserve," Kokesh said.

Donna Smith, a cast member in the Michael Moore documentary Sicko, addressed the health care issues facing Congress.

"I believe that my life is worth as much as your life is or any member of your family," Smith said about members of Congress. "We sent you to office; you have benefits we will only dream of at a price we can only dream of."

The variety of issues addressed at the rally left several Temple students with mixed emotions.

"A lot of the focus was lost on other issues," sophomore theater major Olivia Webster said. "It could have been more concentrated on just getting us out of the war."

On the other hand, sophomore sociology major Audra Winn said she felt the protest was "really powerful."

The march passed by several government buildings including the Department of Education and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

When the event ended, Andrew Roberts, a sophomore music therapy major, said he "felt like we got nothing done."

"We call it a protest but we do it in the way [that] the government says we're allowed to," Roberts said.

"The problem is, in order for that [change in government] to get done, people need to stop worrying so much about themselves," he added. "A protest would be getting all the people there to block a bunch of streets in order to shut stuff down in a peaceful way."

Kevin Paris, a Temple College Democrats events coordinator, said protests can be more influential if more people attend.

"If you're into politics at all while you're young, you should experience at least one big war protest," said Paris, a junior political science major.

Walker said, "We'll definitely do it again."

Sara Fry can be reached at sara.fry@temple.edu. © Copyright 2007 Temple News

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, iraq

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, protest, september 29

Labels: police state, protest, september 29

Labels: encampment schedule, september 29

Friday DC Encampment update (Ann Wilcox)

GPAX Blog from Troops Out Now Encampment (www.troopsoutnow.org)

On FRIDAY, 9/28 folks at the encampment prepared for a major March Against War at Home and Abroad, to be held Sat., 9/29 beginning with a noon rally.

Friday was Student Activism day, with teach-ins and a contingent of about 50 students marching through the streets of Washington, DC, demanding an end to war, justice for Katrina survivors and end to police repression. They made stops at the US Dept. of Education, Dept. of (In)Justice, and the Armed Forces Recruiting Station at 14th and L St, NW. As they “took the streets back,” the students gained a considerable escort of MPD police vehicles, however there were no arrests. Marchers continued along Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, ending on the Capitol Lawn.

At dusk, TONC campers joined victims of the health-care insurance system and policy-makers at the Lincoln Memorial for the first “Tracy Pierce Memorial Vigil” sponsored by the cast members of the Michael Moore film “Sicko.” Donna Edwards and others featured in the film spoke to the group about their family members who died after being denied health care by the insurance industry; they were also joined by members of the California Nurses Assn who are loyal allies in this struggle. Over 75 people attended this moving vigil - the first of many.

Finally, the TONC Encampment rocked out to the sounds of the Philippine music group BAYAN Philippine Alliance. Their music and poetry opposed repressive policies in the Philippines.

Saturday at 11:00 am, all will gather at the Encampment for a rally and March to End the War at Home and Abroad. Join us!!

A press conference was held where participants spoke on different aspects of not only the Five, but implications of case.

Teresa Gutierrez of the New York Committee to Free the Cuban Five opened the conference with an introduction of the case.

Ivy Parker, a Hurricane Katrina survivor from New Orleans and a member of the NY Katrina/Rita Solidarity Committee, equated the terrorism of the United States with the government's response to Katrina and its hypocrisy in the treatment of the Five.

Mia Campbell of the youth group FIST--Fight Imperialism, Stand Together. photo by Mavis Yorks/Common Ground Relief

Ignacio Meneses of the National Network on Cuba discussed how the international community is supporting the Five and is paying attention to what the Justice Department is doing. He mentioned conferences on the Five occurring in Ecuador and Canada.

Brenda Stokely of the Million Workers March Movement spoke about the importance of people in the United States supporting the case of the five.

Berta Joubert-Ceci of the Women's Fightback Network spoke on the hypocrisy of the denial of visas of Adriana Pérez, the wife of Gerardo Hernández, and Olga Salanueva, the wife of René González, with all the U.S. government rhetoric on family values and democracy.

After the press conference the activists went to the doors of the Justice Department, where they were refused entry. The representative who was finally sent down to meet with them wouldn't even give them his last name.

Labels: antiwar, cuba, cuban 5, Encampment to Stop the War

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, september 29, troops out now coalition, youth

Organizers from the Common Ground Collective have set up their tent at the Encampment site to demand justice for Katrina/Rita survivors. Bush and Congress are spending $750 million every day on the criminal war in Iraq but have done nothing to help the people displaced by the hurricanes to return to their homes.

Bulletin board at the Encampment

Donna Smith, Larry Smith and Adrian Campbell from the movie SiCKO are preparing for the candlelight vigil to remember all those who have died because of lack of health care.

Larry Holmes, a national leader of the Troops Out Now Coalition preparing placards for tomorrow's march.

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, protest, september 29

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, troops out now coalition

Gather at reflecting pool on west side of Capitol at 11 a.m for rally

March will step off between 1 and 2 pm, and will pass by the Department of Health and Human Resources, FEMA headquarters and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency headquarters before returning to the Capitol for an ending rally. The purpose of this route is to draw attention to the resources that should be invested in health care instead of being spent on war; the ongoing injustices in the wake of Hurricane Katrina; and the campaign against immigrants.

Volunteers needed at 8:30 am.

Nearest METRO stop: Federal Center SW (on Blue line and Orange line)

Bus dropoff: west side of 3rd Street between Constitution and Independence (which is at the site of the Encampment to Stop the War)
Bus pickup: same location.
Buses should make their own parking arrangements at Union Station garage, 40 Massachusetts Ave NE (3 blocks from the rally and march site). Union Station information: 202-371-9441.

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Posted Thursday, September 27 2007 11:48:58 pm

By Morgan Davis
The Daily Colonial

Music with a message hit Washington this week as anti-war activists hosted a concert series to raise awareness for their cause.

"Rock the Rulers" is part of a week-long encampment next to the Capitol's West Side reflecting pool hosted by the Troops Out Now Coalition, a New York City-based grassroots movement, along with Artists and Activists United for Peace.

The movement will hit its peak Saturday, with a march beginning at noon at the Capitol. This is the second encampment this year for Troops Out Now, who teamed up with other organizations to reach a broader range of supporters through music and entertainment.

"We want to make the connection between the war abroad and the war at home," said Troops Out Now Media Liaison LeilLani Dowell. "We realize that culture is a very important part of this too."

Dowell and other organizers and volunteers spent the week putting up tents, booths, and a small stage to vie for attention while debates for war funding rage in Capitol Hill.

"They could force the issue," said Dowell, referring to the Democrats elected to Congress last November. "We are trying to hold them accountable."

The event attracted a wide variety of visitors. Topics of interest brought up at tables and during the entertainment include support for Katrina survivors, Code Pink (a movement of women against war in Iraq), immigrant workers' rights, money for health care, and education.

Each night, from 8 p.m. until midnight, musicians from around the country performed on stage, expressing frustrations and hopes for peace. Though many performers are scheduled for specific slots throughout the week, organizers encourage anyone to come and share their art and passions on stage.

Carol Ann Moccio ’10 is one of the people attracted to the encampment by the prospect of joining music with the anti-war movement. A self-proclaimed Beatles fan and peace activist, Moccio said she found out about "Rock the Rulers" after seeing the movie "Across the Universe" with friends. The Beatles-inspired musical featured the struggle of young Americans during the Vietnam War as they attempted to give peace a chance.

"I was like 'Wow, I want to continue that'," said Moccio. "Hopefully our generation can be as motivated as theirs."

Moccio said looking up "D.C. peace marches" on the Internet led her to the "Rock the Rulers" Web site.

Dowell said she thinks the currently college-aged generation and older ones are fed up with war and are responding to the music.

"We've seen a lot more people come through than the last time," she said. "It's time to heighten the struggle as much as possible."

Moccio said that she thinks that the appeal of music is going to help more students identify with the cause.

"Music is something that is special for everyone," she said, noting that many students may not be incredibly passionate about the anti-war movement, but will find the music a great incentive to become involved.

Michelle Dar of Portland, Ore., biked across the country with her partner and three daughters to participate in the protests. They were part of the "bike for peace" that ended in Washington with participants getting involved in actions for peace.

"We refuse to be silent," Dar said. "We'll put our bodies and our families out there."

Dar says that she and her family have been enjoying the nightly music outside the Capitol. Her daughter Tala danced and sang along to the Black Eyed Pea's "Where is the Love?" on stage Tuesday night. Dar finds the enthusiasm of those at the encampment empowering.

"It's tremendously inspiring, and reminds us why we are here," Dar said. "It gives us the courage to do more. The people have had enough. The people are rising up."

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Labels: bush, democrats, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, los angeles

Are you ready for the illegal war to drag on past 2013?

The leading Democratic White House hopefuls conceded Wednesday night they cannot guarantee to pull all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the end of the next presidential term in 2013.

"I think it's hard to project four years from now,'' said Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in the opening moments of a campaign debate in the nation's first primary state.

"It is very difficult to know what we're going to be inheriting,'' added Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

"I cannot make that commitment,'' said former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.
Sensing an opening, Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson provided the assurances the others would not. read full post

Labels: democrats, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq

ANTI-WAR MARCH IN WASHINGTON , D.C. TO TARGET WAR SPENDING

"NOT $1 MORE FOR WAR - NOT ONE MORE PENNY"

Rally and March set for Saturday, September 29

Gather at the Capitol reflecting pool on 3rd St , 12 p.m.

The national anti-war march in Washington , D.C. , planned for this Saturday, Sept. 29 will have as its central demand a cut off of all war spending for Iraq and Afghanistan . The march, organized by the Troops Out Now Coalition will be drawing thousands of protestors to the Capitol over the weekend.

A spokesperson for the Troops Out Now Coalition, Larry Holmes, said, "This is it, no more waffling--Congress must unconditionally turn down the request for $190 billion more for colonial war and occupation." Holmes, an army veteran and war resister during the Vietnam War, continued: "The Democratic party leadership of Congress does not need enough votes to either break a filibuster, or override a presidential veto to cut off all war funding. All they need to is make sure that the war funding request never makes it to the floors of Congress for a vote, period".

Saturday's march will culminate at a weeklong anti-war encampment that has been erected by the Capitol reflecting pool.

Speakers at the pre-march rally, scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. , include:

• Rev. Lennox Yearwood
• Cindy Sheehan
• Donna Smith, from the cast of the movie "SiCKO"
• Adam Kokish, Co-Chair of Iraq Veterans Against the War
• Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General
• Ann Wright, the highest ranking official in the U.S. State Department to resign over the war in 2003
• Media Benjamin, Code Pink and Global Exchange
• Malik Rahim, Common Ground Collective, New Orleans

The march will begin at 2 p.m. , and will pass by the Department of Health and Human Resources, FEMA headquarters and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency headquarters before returning to the Capitol for an ending rally. The purpose of this route is to draw attention to the resources that should be invested in health care instead of being spent on war; the ongoing injustices in the wake of Hurricane Katrina; and the campaign against immigrants.

Some activists not associated with march organizers are planning to engage in acts of peaceful civil disobedience.

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, green party, september 29, troops out now coalition

from the Gainesville Sun:

By STEWART ATKINSON

A University of Florida student group is taking its dissent off campus and to the nation's capital to protest the war in Iraq. Students Against War, an on-campus organization, formed in April to give students the opportunity to voice their opinions about the Iraq War.

The group's main goal, said president Chelsea Solmo, is to educate students about the war, allowing them to decide how they feel about U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Members of Students Against War will be making their voices heard in Washington, D.C., in the coming week.

Solmo and 19 others say they are traveling north to join forces with the Troops Out Now Coalition, a national activist group aimed at bringing American troops home. The students will be part of a weeklong protest calling for the impeachments of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for war crimes, according to the Troops Out Now Coalition's Web site.

The local contingent will leave Gainesville Friday at noon and endure an expected 14-hour drive to a church they will stay at for the weekend. Solmo, who is in charge of transportation, will allow people to sign up until "the last possible minute."

"As long as we have room," Solmo said.

Students Against War hopes to get a referendum on the ballot in the spring Student Government elections that would give students the chance to denounce the war.

"It'll give students a chance to voice their opinions about the war," Solmo said.

Solmo said she's confident the majority of students agree with her views against the war and is confident such a referendum would pass.

The organization wasted no time getting started this semester. A week after classes began, Solmo helped organize a movie night at the Civic Media Center featuring "War Tapes," a documentary following three men as they leave their homes and families, join the military and head to Iraq.

Members of Students Against War handed out fliers in the Plaza of The Americas in advance of the documentary and packed the CMC with students with anti-war sentiments.

More than 115 students filled all available seating, lined the walls and stood crowded together in the back of the CMC for a chance to view the movie, Solmo said. Some people had to be turned away, she added.

Danielle Emenhiser, a UF business and economics major, came out to watch the movie and participate in the discussion after the film. Emenhiser said she attended the event to be educated about current world issues and events.

Students Against War plans to make the movie night a monthly occasion. The organization raised $218 in donations at the showing of "War Tapes," half of which went to the Civic Media Center and the other half into an account to help pay for future Students Against War events.

The organization protested the war on Sept. 11 by lining the Plaza of the Americas with 25 students each wearing a letter on their shirts. Standing together, their shirts spelled out, "Our grief does not justify war." Each person then gave his or her reasons for opposing the war. The group continued the demonstration outside the Dave Matthews Band concert that night.

Students Against War will be releasing the first edition of the White Rose, a newsletter written by the organization, by mid-October. The monthly publication will give detailed information about current happenings in Iraq and Gainesville, Solmo said.

The group meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Reitz Union Amphitheatre.

Over four years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Greens continue to call for an immediate end to this war, and accountability at home. Our Gulf Coast remains in shambles, nooses are hung by white children in school yards to intimidate black children, and immigrant families are rounded up in the middle of the night.

As Greens, we must come together to say - the United States needs to get its priorities straight, clean house, and we must bring the troops home NOW! Beginning Saturday, September 22, the Green Party of the United States have a tent set up at the Troops Out Now Coalition's week-long encampment to end the war, on the lawn in front of the Capitol building. We invite all Greens to come to D.C. and L.A. to join with others to resist the continuing war abroad and demand accountability at home.

News Release
August 27, 2007

Reference: Raul Menchavez, Northeast Coordinator, BAYAN USA, email: ny @ bayanusa.org

Filipino Artists Gather for DC Concert to Promote Human Rights in the Philippines
Don't Use Mindanao War to Increase US Military Aid-- BAYAN USA

Washington, DC-- Responding to the Philippine Congress's implementation of the Human Security Act (HSA) last July, Filipino groups along the east coast will be converging for a concert in Washington DC on Friday, September 28, one week after the 35th anniversary of Martial Law as declared by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972.

The concert, organized by the Filipino-American alliance BAYAN USA and featuring Filipino-American hip-hop sensations Blue Scholars and Kiwi Illefonte, aims to bring awareness to the repurcussions of the newly-passed and controversial bill, and connect with the overall issue of increased US military spending to places where US troops are present, such as the Philippines.

The concert will also be featured as part of a one-week encampment organized by the Troops Out Now Anti-War coalition, that will culminate in a march to Capitol Hill on Saturday, September 29th. A similar encampment will also be held in Los Angeles on the same dates.

"The HSA is a disaster for domestic security in the Philippines. It will cause the endangerment and the termination of innocent lives," states Valerie Francisco of Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment, or FIRE, a community organizer who recently returned from the Philippines to protest the HSA.

FIRE, along the Anakbayan, the Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, under the banner of BAYAN USA, and local DC groups such as Katarungan will be sponsoring the mini-concert set outdoors and following next-day anti-war march near Capitol Hill. The Fil-Am groups have also warned that US-based advocates and supporters of the broad Arroyo opposition under the HSA are also subject to the measures of the state with such a vague definition of terrorism. This comes in light of reports on extrajudicial killings, increase in forced disappearances throughout the country, and a watchlist of names provided by the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Justice jeopardizing travellers from abroad that speak out against Arroyo's domestic policies.

"These days, to oppose the Arroyo regime is the most genuine act of security. To highlight this issue during the Martial Law anniversary is fitting and appropriate, because the Philippines is still under undeclared Martial Law," states Jonna Baldres of Anakbayan.

The groups have also been calling for restrictions on US military aid to the Philippines, in line with its human rights work. September also marks continued Congressional deliberations on US military spending for 2008. Nearly 50 US solons have signed a petition letter calling for Arroyo to handle the human rights crisis in the Philippines.

In response to a recent US Senate hearing and Congressional deliberations on the fate of US military aid to the Philippine government this pasy year, the Arroyo regime has resorted to deflecting possible aid reduction by pushing for an all-out war in Mindanao, the southern-most island, claiming Al-Qaeda cells exist, much to wide public disagreement.

Following the public reports of UN Rapporteur Philip Alston, and Amnesty International, the Philippine military has been identified as the key perpetrating group of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances. In 2001, President George Bush declared the Philippines the Second Front to the War on Terror.

Since then, the Philippines has remained the fourth largest recipient of US military aid in the world and the largest in the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information or to join the Filipino contingent during the anti-war march, contact BAYAN USA at ny @ bayanusa.org . ###

Labels: encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq, philippines, troops out now coalition

On September 29, activists plan to join tens of thousands for a massive march on the White House. There are now more than 75 organizing centers from more than 32 states for September 29, and more than 1,600 endorsers.

Now, more than ever, it is vital that we be in the streets to demand an end to the bipartisan program of endless war. President Bush continues to threaten the people of Iran, using (once again) claims about "weapons of mass destruction." And once again, U.S. Congress is unwilling to substantively oppose the Bush agenda in the Middle East.

There are now apparently at least three aircraft carrier groups in the Persian Gulf area and almost half of all the ships in the U.S. Navy are within striking range of Iran. Vice President Cheney and others in the Administration are pushing hard for military action.

"We have all seen that the Democratic leadership in Congress, despite being elected with a clear mandate to end the war in Iraq, has completely capitulated to the Bush Administration. We cannot wait for politicians to end the war. And we can't wait while they plan to launch a new war" documents Stopwaroniran.org coordinators.

"We have all seen that the Democratic leadership in Congress, despite being elected with a clear mandate to end the war in Iraq, has completely capitulated to the Bush Administration. We cannot wait for politicians to end the war. And we can't wait while they plan to launch a new war" documents Stopwaroniran.org coordinators.

>>read full article here

Labels: Campement pour arrêter la guerre, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq

from GPAX:

From this month’s Green Line:

Over four years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Greens continue to call for an immediate end to this war, and accountability at home. Our Gulf Coast remains in shambles, nooses are hung by white children in school yards to intimidate black children, and immigrant families are rounded up in the middle of the night. As Greens, we must come together to say - the United States needs to get its priorities straight, clean house, and we must bring the troops home NOW! Beginning Saturday, September 22, the Green Party of the United States have a tent set up at the Troops Out Now Coalition’s week-long encampment to end the war, on the lawn in front of the Capitol building. We invite all Greens to come to D.C. and L.A. to join with others to resist the continuing war abroad and demand accountability at home. Jared Ball of the DC Statehood Green Party will speak at the rally on the 29th http://www.voxunion.com/jaredball/ . Ball is a nominee for the Green Party Presidential candidacy. Green Party of the U.S. Co-Chair, Echo Steiner (FL), will co-emcee the rally in Washington D.C. In Los Angeles, GPAX co-chair, Deanna Taylor (UT), and SKCM-Curry of the California Green Party will speak at the rally September 29 in front of the Federal Building. During the D.C. Encampment on Wednesday, September 26 at 5pm, the DC Statehood Party will lead a discussion on D.C. statehood, affordable housing, and preserving neighborhood libraries. We honor the courage of those thousands who converged this week in Jena, Louisiana, to call out injustice — we seek to continue in that spirit by calling on Greens to assemble at the halls of power, to speak, to act, and to work together to take our country back for the people. For information on transportation centers, events like the week of hip hop shows, the youth and student day of action, Impeachment Rally, Stop the War at Home Day, and more, visit www.troopsoutnow.org To support the Green Party presence at the Encampment and rally, visit the GPAX website at www.gp.org/committees/peace — and use it to let us know you’re coming!

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, green party, iraq, troops out now coalition

Anti-war activists, veterans, military families and community organizers from across the U.S.—from as far away as Oregon, Florida and Maine—arrived here beginning Sept. 22 for the Encampment to Stop the War at Home and Abroad, a tent city positioned in front of the Capitol building organized by the Troops Out Now Coalition (TONC).

WW photos: LeiLani Dowell

The Encampment will culminate in a march on Sept. 29 with multiple targets: Congress for its complicity in funding the war; the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its continued racist neglect of the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices for the anti-worker raids and detentions against immigrants.

On Sept. 22, a large banner was erected that reads, “Congress, the whole world is watching: CUT OFF WAR FUNDS.” The Encampment is timed to coincide with the expiration of the current round of funding for the war and the ongoing debates in Congress. The appropriations passed in the last session of Congress are due to expire on Oct. 1.

Parked in front of the Encampment is the tour bus of Iraq Veterans Against the War, which features large signs reading, “Don’t attack Iran” and “Impeach Bush.” Along with TONC, Code Pink—Women for Peace, the Green Party and others have pitched their tents. More tents will be pitched as Katrina survivors, youth and students, Cuba solidarity and immigrants rights activists arrive in the coming days.

Press conference announces Encampment

Organizers held a press conference Sept. 24 to announce the Encampment and the mass march on Sept. 29. TONC spokesperson Larry Holmes opened, saying, “The Democrats say they want to cut war funding but they can’t get past a veto. But they could simply make sure the funding question doesn’t get to the floor.”

Rev. Lennox Yearwood spoke about unity in the struggle: “I’m so pleased to see support here for the struggle in Jena; I was pleased to hear, in Jena, people talking about how the bombs in Baghdad are affecting people in the United States. ... Our struggles will continue, but we will win.” Yearwood was recently beaten by D.C. police at an anti-war press conference.

Adam Kokesh, co-chair of the board of directors of Iraq Veterans Against the War, described his organization’s demands, including immediate withdrawal of all forces from Iraq—”and we mean Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Blackwater, Halliburton”—and full payment of reparations to the people of Iraq.

Nana Soul of Artists and Activists United for Peace described the weeklong concert being held as part of the Encampment. “The movement needs cultural inspiration, talent and creativity. We know that [Iraq] isn’t the first time that the United States has invaded a sovereign nation. ... We have a chance to translate the [U.S. government’s] actions.”

Representing the Green Party, Vietnam War veteran Rick Clemens stressed: “This war is about imperialism, about the exploitation of labor power and markets of other peoples. There is no thing as ending the war without ending the economic system that perpetuates war—capitalism.”

WW photo: Dustin Langley

Toby Blomé of Code Pink described the encampments their group has undertaken at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s house, after months of her refusing to meet with them to discuss war funding. They plan on visiting her office regularly during the Encampment and will be fasting throughout the week; the group hosted an organizing meeting on Sept. 24 at the Encampment.

Vernon Hoffman, who biked 4,500 miles with his family from Portland, Ore., to join the Encampment, said he’d “rather bike for peace than kill for oil.”

Lastly, a young war resister described how he enlisted in the military in 2005 because of limited career opportunities in his rural hometown. However, he says, “I happened to join at the same time as Hurricane Katrina, and I saw on TV the bodies floating in the streets. It really hit home to me. I got out of training 25 weeks later and nothing had changed. Despite all the rhetoric about homeland security and national security, this government’s priorities are not for the people.”

Hub of anti-war activity

The Encampment has become a veritable hub of anti-war activity in the D.C. Metro area. At daily morning and evening meetings, activists converge to plan their outreach strategies to build for the mass march on Sept. 29.

From the Encampment, teams have fanned throughout the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Md., areas putting up posters, handing out leaflets, riding in sound cars and talking to students on campuses and workers on the streets. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

In addition, passersby to the Encampment, including many tourists, have been appreciative of its work. An activist reported that one such person showed his identification card—as an employee of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. He assured the activist that many people in the Green Zone in Iraq are in agreement with the sentiments of the Encampment.

‘Get out of Iraq! Stay out of Iran!’

Responding to the venomous attacks against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his visit to New York for a UN General Assembly meeting, Encampment activists piled into the IVAW bus on Sept. 26 and rode to the White House, where they held a picket line to demand, “Get out of Iraq! Stay out of Iran!” Recalling the demonization of former Iraqi President Sassam Hussein, activists denounced the attacks on Ahmadinejad as an attempt to prepare the U.S. population for an expansion of the war to Iran.

Upcoming events include a discussion on the war at home in Washington, D.C.—where libraries are closing, thousands of units of affordable housing have been lost, and residents can’t vote—hosted by the Green Party; an event entitled “Justice for the Jena 6, Katrina/Rita survivors and immigrant workers: Fighting racism is building solidarity”; a vigil with the cast of the movie “SiCKO” for those who have died due to inadequate health care; a youth and student day of action; and events to free the Cuban 5 and to demand an end to political repression in the Philippines.

For more information, visit www.troopsoutnow.org.

E-mail: ldowell@workers.org

Troop withdrawal by 2013 not certain, top Democratic presidential candidates say

By BETH FOUHY
The Associated Press

HANOVER, N.H. | The leading Democratic presidential hopefuls conceded Wednesday that they cannot guarantee to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by 2013, the end of the next president’s first term.

“I think it’s hard to project four years from now,” said Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in the opening moments of a campaign debate in the nation’s first primary state.

“It is very difficult to know what we’re going to be inheriting,” said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

“I cannot make that commitment,” said former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina. >>read full story

Labels: democrats, iraq, war funding

Protest in front of the White House on Tuesday

Join the Stop War on Iran contingent in Saturday's National March to Stop the War at Home and Abroad

Daily Encampment Organizers' Meeting

Labels: antiwar, bush, democrats, encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq

Labels: bush, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29, war crimes

The "event" is actually a week-long lead-up to the march, starting with an encampment on the West lawn of the Capitol this past weekend, erecting a giant billboard telling Congress to stop funding the war, activism, rally, and a live concert.

Link

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, troops out now coalition

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, september 29, troops out now coalition

Update from Ann Wilcox - DC Encampment

GPAX/Friends:

Weds. 9/26 was an awesome day at the Encampment. Folks celebrated some good press: the Washington Post covered Tuesday’s Emergency March to the White House, to Stop War on Iran. The article described the week-long encampment, including quotes from Larry Holmes of TONC.

Weds. the DC Statehood Greens sponsored a discussion on local issues: DC Statehood and empowerment, the closure of neighborhood libraries, and loss of affordable housing in DC. We had a good pre-dinner crowd and excellent feedback on the dialogue. Later, Rick and Michelle Tingling-Clemmons spoke of their trip to Japan with the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Committee, as well as the broader struggle for peace and social justice.

The evening concert was incredible: local artists including peace songstress Mary Shapiro, and Pam Parker and Luci Murphy of the DC Labor Chorus. The crowd sang along, well into the night!

Today (Thurs.) will feature a program on New Orleans recovery, with Malik Rahim of Common Ground (www.commongroundrelief.org) and others. Evening entertainment will continue, from 8 pm to 12 midnight; the nightly show is called “Rock the Rulers”! Tomorrow (Fri) we will have an evening vigil focusing on health care (joined by the cast of Michael Moore’s film “Sicko”), and folks will prepare for the big march on Saturday.

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, green party, iran, iraq, katrina, troops out now coalition

Dowell also reports that "a young war resister described how he enlisted in the military in 2005 because of limited career opportunities in his rural hometown. However, he says, 'I happened to join at the same time as Hurricane Katrina, and I saw on TV the bodies floating in the streets. It really hit home to me. I got out of training 25 weeks later and nothing had changed. Despite all the rhetoric about homeland security and national security, this government's priorities are not for the people'." >>full post

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, katrina, military

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, immigrant workers, jena 6, katrina, racism

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, protest, september 29, troops out now coalition, war funding, Washington DC

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, protest, september 29, students, troops out now coalition, youth

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iran

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq, jena 6, troops out now coalition

Report from Ann Wilcox of GPAX:

The Troops Out Now Encampment is up and running - and Greens are an integral part of the gathering! TONC is set up along the Capitol Reflecting Pool (3rd St. & Const.). - Thanks to Elena Everett and David Bosserman, the Green Party tent was set up throughout the weekend, and we have a prominent place on the plaza. We have literature and fliers for distribution.

Today (Monday) at 3:00 pm, there was an opening press conference: Rick Tingling-Clemmons, Ann Wilcox and Joyce Robinson-Paul spoke of Green Party values, the war, and the 5 pm Weds discussion we are sponsoring on DC issues. Please join us Weds. to talk about libraries, affordable housing, and DC Statehood.

We can use help with TABLING: especially during the weekdays (Tues? Weds?); if you have some time during the day please stop down to help for a couple of hours. Contact Dave Bosserman to sign up.

Each night there will be cultural performances - we hope to have our local cultural performers involved (drummers, poets, Head-Roc and other artists). Then Saturday, 9/29 is the culminating March (meet at 11:00 am for rally and march). Dr. Jared Ball, GP candidate for President, will represent the Green party, and our Steering Cte member Sarah “Echo” Steiner is a co-emcee of the rally. Both Echo and Elena Everett of North Carolina will be in DC later in the week.

Please contact Ann Wilcox (202-441-3265) or David Bosserman if you have questions about the TONC encampment or our participation. Hope to see you there!!

Labels: encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War

Labels: encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, september 29, troops out now coalition

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, september 29, troops out now coalition

Labels: antiwar, Campement pour arrêter la guerre, Congress, Encampment to Stop the War, healthcare, iran, iraq, jena 6, labor, los angeles, protest, troops out now coalition, veterans

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq

Labels: antiwar, Campement pour arrêter la guerre, Congress, democrats, Encampment to Stop the War, healthcare, iran, iraq, jena 6, labor, los angeles, war funding, Washington DC

for more information see www.catalystsofhope.org

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq

Labels: encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, jena 6, troops out now coalition

"Join us at the Encampment to Stop the War!"

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, troops out now coalition

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, troops out now coalition

Labels: antiwar, democrats, iraq, troops out now coalition, war funding

Labels: encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, iran, iraq, protest

No funds for racist occupation!

An exciting lineup of events has been announced to directly confront Congress and its complicity in the wars at home and abroad. As Congress meets to vote on spending billions more on the war in Iraq, people from across the country will be participating in a week-long encampment at its doorstep.

An article in the Sept. 6 New York Times shows exactly why actions directly challenging Congress are so important. Entitled "Democrats Newly Willing to Compromise on Iraq," the article details the Democrats' newest double-cross of the anti-war voters who supported them in November 2006.

Rather than call for a spring deadline for the withdrawal of all troops—which in itself is unsatisfactory to a large part of the U.S. population who want all the troops removed immediately—a new proposal authored by Democratic Senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed would, according to the Times, "order the administration to begin pulling at least some combat troops out of Iraq, probably by the end of the year." The article states that these senators believe that the compromises will somehow allow them to "keep pressure on President Bush."

Apparently the Democrats envision the continuation of the war, which will require troops to go back to Iraq after they have come home. A proposal that is being revisited by Democratic senators would require that troops can be returned to Iraq only after they have spent an equal amount of time in the United States.

Convergence of grassroots forces

Meanwhile, the multinational, anti-imperialist Troops Out Now Coalition (TONC) says in a recent statement: "As Congress debates Bush's new funding request, we must be there to let them know that ... [w]e cannot wait for more phony deadlines—we need to set a deadline and demand that the troops be brought home now."

TONC activists throughout the country have been busy mobilizing and planning for the Sept. 22-29 Encampment to Stop the War at Home and Abroad. Activities include the construction of a giant billboard, on the first day of the encampment, demanding "Congress: stop funding the war—fund peoples' needs."

Sept. 27 is being billed as "Stop the War at Home Day," in which Katrina survivors from New Orleans and their allies will protest the racism and neglect of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and immigrant rights activists will denounce the raids and detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Youth and students have called for a day of action on Sept. 28. A statement explaining the action states: "Youth and students, from the U.S. to Iraq, are underattack. Military recruiters prey on our communities and our campuses, trying to get us and our friends to kill and be killed in a criminal war. Money that should be being spent to make education affordable for everyone and provide scholarships is instead being spent to continue the four-and-a-half year old occupation of Iraq.

"Police harass us for simply being young, for being a person of color, or for being lesbian/gay/bi/trans/queer. Bush's top war adviser, Army Lt.Gen. Douglas Lute, says that 'it makes sense to certainly consider' reinstating the draft. It's time to raise our voices and our fists and fight back."

The cast of "SiCKO"—Michael Moore's movie exposing the depravity of the for-profit health care system—will be present at the encampment, holding a vigil on Sept. 28 for all the victims of that industry, and organizing a "Healthcare, Not Warfare" contingent in the mass march the following day.

Other actions planned include events against U.S. intervention in Latin America, against a new war in Iran, and in solidarity with Cuba and the Cuban 5.

In Los Angeles, a parallel encampment will be taking place, with two tent cities in different areas of the sprawling city. Events there include a 15-mile march between the two tent cities, a protest in support of the Palestinian struggle, a teach-in on the war and labor solidarity, and more. (Workers World, Sept. 9)

Cultural resistance

The encampment will also reflect the important and vital role that culture plays in movements of resistance to capitalist oppression and imperialist rule.

"Rock the Rulers," an evening concert series of culture and resistance, will be held each night of the encampment, featuring hip hop, soul, r&b, funk, visual arts, theater and spoken word from artists throughout the country, including Nana Soul, Spirit Child, Pam Parker, Public Disturbance, Days of Rage, Bojah and the Insurrection, World War III Arts Collective, Not Now Right Now, Enemy Combatant, The Foundation, Nemiss, Hasan Salaam, Kahlil Khan, Phase One, Head-Roc, Rahula Today, Rebel Diaz, Soul Cannon, Strike Anywhere, Songs for Peace, Children United for Peace and more.

On Sept. 28, BAYAN USA, the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, and TONC will host an outdoor concert billed "Never Again." A flyer for the event states: "Join Filipino-American artists' call for withdrawal of U.S. military aid for Philippine death squads and an end to the undeclared martial law under the Arroyo government. This concert is dedicated to all victims of Philippine martial law past and present."

All these events will culminate with a mass march on Sept. 29 to stop the war at home and abroad, demanding an end to all occupations—from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti and the Philippines—an end to racist police terror, freedom for all political prisoners and money for social services, not war.

For more information on all these activities, visit www.troopsoutnow.org.

E-mail: ldowell@workers.org

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

www.kpfk.org (archives - Sept. 15 program).

Labels: antiwar, encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, los angeles, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Program begins at 2 p.m. in big tent

Special showing: "Welcome to New Orleans" one hour documentary on the
racist military occupation of New Orleans

Speakers include:

--Malik Rahim, Exec. Dir., Common Ground Collective, New Orleans

--Brenda Stokely, New York Solidarity Coalition for Katrina/Rita Survivors

--Representative from Alliance for Guest Workers

--Discussion to follow

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

The Encampment to Stop the War and the march on September 29th are not to be missed. This will be a united show of force from the anti-war, labor, social justice and immigrant rights movements. Take a look at the schedule we have lined up for the week from September 22nd to the 29th at the Tent City Encampment so far in Los Angeles:

SAT. SEPT 22
Themes: Labor and War on Workers/ End U.S. Militarism &
Occupation/ Human Needs Not War

Tent City-Set up 10 a.m.

Kick-off march and rally to nearby site.

AFSC will set up shoes and boots representing Iraqi
civilians and CA soldiers killed.

Noon POTLUCK

1-2p.m
Philippines Mini-Rally

Palestine Teach-in

2 p.m. El Salvador Teach-in

3 p.m. US Labor Against the War Iraq Moratorium Workshop

7 p.m. Movie Screening: Face to Face- Iraqi workers

7: 30 p.m. Screening: Iraq For Sale

SUN SEPT. 23

Themes: War on Youth & Youth Fightback/ Role of Protest/
Immigrant Rights & Globalization

11 a.m. Unconventional Activism Teach-in w/ Dr. Caroline
Heldman, Katrina activist with Common Ground/ UCLA
professor

POTLUCK LUNCH

2:30-3:30 p.m. Ron Kovic- Vietnam & Iraq: Tactics on Civil
Disobedience & Creative non-violence,
Revisiting 1974 Westwood Federal Bldg Encampment. & Hunger
Strike

4 p.m. FIST (Fight Imperialism Stand Together) Forum &
music- youth & students

*7 p.m. Journal of Ascetics Theater

MON SEPT. 24

Themes: Int'l Solidarity/ Racism, Repression & Prison
Industrial Complex /Women, Gender & LGBT Oppression

Katrina Workshop

Cuba & Venezuela Teach-in

*LGBT Marriage Rights Workshop

4-5 p.m. SDS-UCLA contingent marches to encampment & join
forces to march to Occidental Petroleum

TU SEPT 25

10 a.m. Break Camp & Begin March to Downtown Federal
Building Occupation:

* Protest at Israeli Consulate on the way
* Protest at El Salvador Consulate on the way
* Set up Camp at Downtown Federal Bldg.

WED. SEPT 26

Themes: Int'l Solidarity/ Racism, Repression & Prison
Industrial Complex /Women, Gender & LGBT Oppression

-Cuba & Venezuela Wkshp

-David Bacon photo exhibit on Iraqi workers

*Jena 6 Teach-in

*Police Brutality Wkshp

-Colombia Teach-In

*8 p.m Screening: The Fire This Time- LA Uprising

TH SEPT27

Themes- Labor and War on Workers/ Immigrant Rights &
Globalization

3 p.m. US Labor Against the War- Iraq Oil Law Workshop

7.p.m. Short Version: "Meeting Face to Face" on Iraqi
workers

7:30p.m. Garment Workers will show "Made in LA" on local
sweatshops

F SEPT 28

Themes: War on Youth & Youth Fightback/ End U.S.
Militarism & Occupation/Human Needs, Not War

-City Council Protest 9-11 a.m. March to LA Times Protest

5-6p.m. Philippines Mini-Rally

-7p.m. El Salvador Wkshp

-8p.m. Eyewitness Palestine- Photo Presentation Teach in

*9 p.m. Journal of Ascetics Theater

SAT SEPT 29

Noon- Mass March & Rally at Olympic & Broadway to Bring
the Troops Home NOW!!

www.troopsoutnowla.org

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, Petraeus, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq, september 29

Labels: Encampment to Stop the War, protest, september 29, troops out now coalition

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq, september 29

The Troops Out Now Coalition (TONC) has called for an Encampment in Washington D.C. starting from Saturday September 22^nd and culminating in a mass march on Saturday September 29^th.

It’s absolutely critical that we take the struggle against the war out of the halls of Congress and put it where it needs to be -- back on the streets. We are calling on artists in the movement, musicians and spoken word artists specifically, to see if we can organize entertainment for the days of the encampment.

We don’t have funds, so this will have to be on a voluntary basis, but we want to attract more people into the street by having groups perform. Not to make light of the seriousness of the struggle, but because expressions of art are critical for the movement and to show that musical expressions are not superficial, as mass media would have many believe, but there is a great movement of musical artists that have yet to be exposed to the broader movement.

We are soliciting the help of artists, hip hop musicians, Blues, Jazz, Soul and R/B and Rock and Roll, to help build a musical/artistic component to this encampment.

We would like to have some kind of performance every day/night, perhaps culminating in a bigger concert on the Friday –September 28^th—before the march.

We do have a permit for the location for the entire week. We have a stage as well, about 3 feet high and 16 x 10. Our sound system is the basic hook up and we have generators. If artists would like to bring their own equipment or know where we can get better equipment that can be donated, please let us know. As it is, though, we don’t have music festival quality sound.

Contacts:

Larry Hales

cultureandresistance@troopsoutnow.org

Labels: antiwar, art, bands, encampment schedule, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq, music, protest, september 29, war funding

Encampment to Stop the War blog

Encampment to Stop the War MySpace

Donate to help with organizing expenses

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq, september 29

• Student organizations in several cities are discussing plans for a student strike that would include protests and direct action on their campuses, before joining the Encampment and March in DC.
• Organizers are already planning car caravans and "peace trains" to DC for the Encampment.
• Local organizations are planning to set up their own tents at the Encampment, with displays, teach-ins, literature, and protests to highlight various issues, including: immigrant rights, counter-recuiting, Katrina, Palestine, and more.
  

• Read the draft call for Sept 22 - 29 : http://troopsoutnow.org/sept2207call.html
  

• Endorse the call for Sept 22 - 29 : http://www.troopsoutnow.org/sept2207encampmentmarchonwashendorse.shtml

• Volunteer : http://www.troopsoutnow.org/sept2207volunteer.shtml

• Become an Organizing Center : http://www.troopsoutnow.org/sept2207volunteer.shtml

• Donate : http://troopsoutnow.org/donate.shtml

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, iraq, protest, september 29

Labels: antiwar, Encampment to Stop the War, september 29