Why We Act Against the War

“We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now....Every [person] of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his [or her] convictions, but we must all protest....” - MLK, Jr., April 4, 1967

OUR INSPIRATION

• Ordinary people in the US are demanding an end
People everywhere are protesting, marching, writing letters, calling their representatives and speaking out against this war.

• US troops are speaking out
They are boldly questioning the Bush administration’s priorities; they are refusing to fight.

•Mass direct action works
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis took to the streets last year demanding an election – and they got one.

•The world opposes this war
Pressure from their citizens is forcing nation after nation, from Spain to Poland, to withdraw troops from Iraq.

•Independent journalists are risking their lives to tell the world what is really happening in Iraq
Their photos, blogs, articles and videos show us that the US occupation is causing death and destruction, not creating democracy and freedom.

•We have seen this war before; we know how it ends-we know reality from rhetoric
“United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam’s presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting. According to reports from Saigon, 83 percent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday.” (“US Encouraged by Vietnam Vote,” The New York Times, Sept. 4, 1967).

• Ordinary people in the US are demanding an end
People everywhere are protesting, marching, writing letters, calling their representatives and speaking out against this war.

• US troops are speaking out
They are boldly questioning the Bush administration’s priorities; they are refusing to fight.

•Mass direct action works
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis took to the streets last year demanding an election – and they got one.

•The world opposes this war
Pressure from their citizens is forcing nation after nation, from Spain to Poland, to withdraw troops from Iraq.

•Independent journalists are risking their lives to tell the world what is really happening in Iraq
Their photos, blogs, articles and videos show us that the US occupation is causing death and destruction, not creating democracy and freedom.

•We have seen this war before; we know how it ends-we know reality from rhetoric
“United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam’s presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting. According to reports from Saigon, 83 percent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday.” (“US Encouraged by Vietnam Vote,” The New York Times, Sept. 4, 1967).

 1. Bring the troops home now
The US should immediately begin to withdraw its troops. Most US and Iraqi people oppose continued US occupation. US troops cannot install democracy. They are escalating the violence and increasing sympathy for the insurgents.

2. Support sovereignty not occupation
Stop appropriations to fund military occupation. Future appropriations should be used for reconstruction, safe withdrawal of troops and for reparations. No permanent US military bases should be established. The Iraqi government must not be bound by any contracts made under the US Coalition Provisional Authority.

3. Stop use of depleted uranium
Immediately stop use of depleted uranium weapons that contaminate the Iraqi people, US troops and the environment. Provide compensation and medical care to those affected.

4. Investigate US role in prisoner abuse
An independent, international commission should be convened to thoroughly investigate all reported abuses and issue a public report.

5. Seek real security
The war has not made us safer. US actions in Iraq have undermined international law, alienated our allies, increased the presence of terrorists in Iraq and multiplied our enemies. The war is draining vital financial resources and people from US communities. Real security comes from working cooperatively with the global community and fully funding domestic social needs.

“Our purpose in Vietnam...is not conquest, it is not empire, it is not foreign bases, it is not domination.”
- L. B. Johnson, March 4, 1969.

“We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire.” - G.W. Bush, January 20, 2004

1962
1965
1966
1967
1969
1973
US begins use of Agent Orange. US escalates troop presence and bombing in Viet Nam. 385,000 US troops deployed. 6,000 US troops killed. 50,000 protest in DC. Nguyen Van Thieu elected president of S. Viet Nam. 250,000 protest in DC. Secret bombing of Cambodia. Draft lottery begins. US withdrawal begins. 58,226 tropps killed
           
1990-1991
Feb 2003
March 2003
June 2004
August 2004
Jan 2005
First Gulf War. US uses depleted uranium (DU). Millions worldwide protest against war. 230,000 troops deployed to Gulf. US invades Iraq. Transfer of "sovereignty" to un-elected Iraqi grovernment. 500,000 protest Bush & war in NYC. 980 US troops killed. Iraqi elections held. Covert US operations in Iran. 1489 US troops killed.