compiled by Carol Baum
War in Iraq Spurred Negative Consequences for Human Rights
Worldwide
In a press release announcing their 2003 Annual Report, Amnesty International
charged that “since the rhetoric about war in Iraq began, and through the
war itself, human rights have suffered significantly worldwide. The attention
the war demanded of world media and the international community provided de
facto camouflage for human rights violators from the Philippines to the Ivory
Coast. In addition, the politics around the war have ensnared millions of people,
rendering them pawns as relationships between nations were forged into new strategic
alliances.” For more information, see <www.amnestyusa.org/annualreport/index.html>
Cost of Iraq War Clock
<www.costofwar.com> is a site
that tells just how much the war on Iraq is costing, second by second, and what
could be purchased instead. On August 19 at 9:24 pm, the cost was $69,597,039,531
and increasing fast (you can watch it increase). That money could have provided
21,308,330 additional children with a year of health care; hired 946,903 additional
teachers for a year; or converted 12,428,126 additional cars to natural gas.
In the time it took to write this piece, $700,000 more was spent.
There are instructions to add the counter to your own web page, so check out
SPC’s at <www.peacecouncil.net>.
US Government Sues Voices in the Wilderness
The US Justice Department has sued Voices in the Wilderness (VitW)
to try to collect a fine of $20,000 from VitW for bringing medicines to the
people of Iraq. Over the past seven years, VitW has organized more than 65 delegations
to Iraq, and many delegates carried symbolic amounts of medicine as an act of
civil disobedience against the injustice of the economic sanctions.
Voices in the Wilderness will not pay this fine and calls for 20,000 people
to raise their voices in outrage against the injustice and hypocrisy of this
lawsuit. You can fax a letter to (202) 307-6777 or mail it to Attorney General
John Ashcroft, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530.
VitW also pledges to raise $20,000 in donations for the humanitarian needs of
Iraqis. Checks made out to Voices in the Wilderness with “20,000 voices”
written in the memo line will go directly to NGOs serving the humanitarian needs
of Iraqis. Send checks to Voices in the Wilderness, 5315 N.Clark, PMB #634/
Chicago, IL 60640.
For more information, see <www.nonviolence.org/vitw>.
Occupation Watch
An international coalition of peace and justice groups has recently
organized the Baghdad-based International Occupation Watch Center. The Center
will monitor the activites of military occupation forces and foreign corporations,
host international delegations to Iraq, and keep the international community
updated about the occupation forces’ activities. <www.occupationwatch.org>.
ACLU Files Challenge to Patriot Act
On July 30, the American Civil Liberties Union filed the first legal challenge
to the Patriot Act, aiming at a section that vastly expands the power of FBI
agents to secretly obtain records and personal belongings of innocent people
in the United States, including citizens and permanent residents. The lawsuit
was filed on behalf of six advocacy and community groups whose members and clients
believe they are currently the targets of investigations because of their ethnicity,
religion and political associations. These groups are the Muslim Community Association
of Ann Arbor, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Arab Community Center
for Economic and Social Services, Bridge Refugee and Sponsorship Services, Council
on American-Islamic Relations, and The Islamic Center of Portland — Masjed
As-Saber. Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller are
named as the defendants. See <www.aclu.org>.
Ithaca Teenagers’ Trial for “Die-In”
Last December four Ithaca teenage women participated in a die-in
at the military recruiter’s office. Their trial was to begin on July 28.
Before the trial started the prosecutor asked the judge to order everyone (80+
supporters) except their parents or guardians to leave the courtroom (judges
may decide whether to let the public stay or not at the trial of minors). The
judge so ordered, but nobody moved. The judge gave the order three times but
still no one moved. He was reportedly knocking his head with his hand, saying
“What am I going to do with 87 people in contempt?” The court then
postponed the trial until September 2.
Bring Them Home Now!
Bring Them Home Now! <www.bringthemhomenow.org>
is a campaign of military families, veterans, active duty personnel, reservists
and others opposed to the ongoing war in Iraq. Their mission is “to mobilize
military families, veterans, and GIs themselves to demand: an end to the occupation
of Iraq and other misguided military adventures; and an immediate return of
all US troops to their home duty stations.”
The name was inspired by George W. Bush’s challenge to armed Iraqis resisting
occupation to “Bring ‘em on.” Contact them at <BTHN@mfso.org>
or PO Box 91233, Raleigh, NC 27675.