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Antiwar Protests Surge on MLK Day
Under the leadership of the International ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) Coalition, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets on the Saturday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Massive protests occurred in Washington, DC, and San Francisco, gaining significant media coverage. The Associated Press reported additional actions in Portland, OR; Des Moines, IA; Indianapolis, IN; St. Augustine, FL; Tampa, FL; Albuquerque, NM; Lansing, MI; Montpelier, VT; Houston, TX; Orange County, CA; Richmond, KY; and Las Vegas, NV.
Here in Minnesota, the Anti-War Committee organized eight buses and St. Joan of Arc Church four buses to travel to the DC protest, where more than 1,000 Minnesotans gathered. Internationally, the AP reports protests in Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Russia, Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Similar days of international action were held on December 10, 2002, and January 29, 2003. The next global mobilization is slated for February 15, 2003. A Twin Cities action is being planned. For more information, see www.worldwideWAMM.org or call 612-827-5364.
Lawn Sign Sales Top 6500
In January, Star Tribune columnist Doug Grow wrote about the antiwar lawn signs popping up all over the city. Specifically, he told the story of the theft of a lawn sign reportedly committed by Minneapolis city employees driving a city-owned truck. Under pressure from the neighborhood where the theft took place, the city sought the culprits, but claimed that their investigation had failed to identify the responsible workers. The city did, however, replace the sign. The good news is that the neighborhood was drawn together by the theft and many more lawn signs now appear in that community.
Grow’s column also resulted in increased interest in the lawn signs, which read “Say No to War With Iraq.” More than 6,500 signs have been sold by WAMM and the St. Joan of Arc/WAMM Peacemakers since the beginning of October. In the meantime, WAMM’s membership has nearly doubled and some 500 new trial memberships are added each month. Signs are now available at the WAMM office in two sizes: small signs ($5) and large signs ($10). The large signs come complete with the equipment needed to post in your yard. To purchase a sign call the office at 612-827-5364.
WAMM—New Mexico Formed
Albuquerque resident Anne Engelhardt is founding “WAMM—New Mexico.” As of January 14, a group of three New Mexican activists had sold 1,000 signs inspired by the Twin Cities lawn signs. The New Mexican signs, which are sold for $5, read “No War Against Iraq. Voice your opposition and take action!” Contact information for New Mexico’s senators and the White House are included on the sign. Here's how you and your southwestern friends can reach Anne: 4117 Silver SE, Albuquerque, NM 87198, 505-255-3534 (phone), 505-255-3634 (fax), anne@booksbyhand.com.
MoveOn.org Releases TV Ad Against War
MoveOn.org released a television ad voicing opposition to war on Iraq. The ad, which is reminiscent of a well-known political ad of the 1960s, was subsequently broadcast as news on major TV news shows across the United States and in Australia, Pakistan, Russia, and Japan. In the following week, some 100,000 people joined MoveOn.org and the organization was able to generate and deliver an antiwar petition with over 310,000 American signers. They also conducted congressional meetings across the nation with some 9,000 participants urging their congress members to sign a “Dear Colleague” letter to George W. Bush. The letter asks Bush to abide by the UN process and let the inspectors do their work.
Canadians to Lead Weapons Inspection of U.S.
A coalition of Canadian peace groups announced in November their intention to send an international team of volunteer weapons inspectors into the United States. The coalition, Rooting Out Evil, is recruiting inspectors through their Web site, www.rootingoutevil.org. “Our action has been inspired by none other than George W. Bush,” said Christy Ferguson, a spokesperson for the group. “The Bush Administration has repeatedly declared that the most dangerous rogue nations are those that: 1) have massive stockpiles of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons; 2) ignore due process at the United Nations; 3) refuse to sign and honor international treaties; and 4) have come to power through illegitimate means.” Rooting Out Evil includes Greenpeace Canada, the Centre for Social Justice, and the Toronto Committee Against War and Sanctions on Iraq.
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