Before grieving military mom Cindy Sheehan set up camp in
Crawford, Texas, last month, the media had all but pronounced the
peace movement dead. Now, with the public fuming over the botched
federal response to Hurricane Katrina and support for the Iraq war
slipping, the movement is building up a new head of steam.
On Saturday, September 24, tens (possibly hundreds) of thousands
of people are expected to converge on Washington, DC, for a massive
rally and march to demand an end to the war in Iraq and the
immediate withdrawal of US troops. Deliberately timed to coincide
with the annual meetings of the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund — institutions whose failed policies have
exacerbated global poverty and environmental destruction — these
events aim to highlight the links between war and corporate-led
globalization.
The main organizers of the protest,
United for Peace and
Justice (UFPJ) and
International
ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), are still urging
opponents of the war across the country to come to the capital for
this weekend’s events.
If you are considering attending the protests, it’s not too
late. Both groups’ websites contain detailed information on the
events, as well as resources for finding housing in the DC area and
transportation there, including charter buses and ride-shares
heading to the capital from around the country.
In addition to the rally and march, UFPJ has planned a series of
events spread over three days. The ‘Operation Ceasefire’ concert —
headlined by Thievery Corporation, Steve Earle, The Coup, Jello
Biafra, and others — begins immediately after the march Saturday
afternoon at the Washington Monument. Sunday’s program includes
nonviolent direct-action training and an interfaith ‘tent revival.’
And on Monday, activists will take their message to Congress via
both a Capitol Hill lobby day and street demonstrations.
For those who can’t make it to DC this weekend, local peace
groups from Anchorage to Miami are planning activities to coincide
with Saturday’s march. Many of these are listed on the UFPJ
website.
To stay abreast of breaking news from the protesters’
perspective as the weekend’s events unfold in the capital, keep
your web browser tuned to the DC
Independent Media Center. And next week, Utne.com will
feature first-person reports from the DC protests.
Go there >>
United for Peace and
Justice
Go there too >>
International
ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)
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