Minneapolis, MN – A coalition of Minneapolis and Saint Paul area groups will hold an anti-war protest to mark 13 years since the 2003 start of the U.S. war in Iraq.

The protest will be held Saturday, March 19 at 1:00 p.m., starting at the intersection of S. 3rd Street and Cedar Avenue in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis. Participants will gather with signs and banners and listen to speakers. At 1:30 there will be a street march will end up back at the starting location at 3rd and Cedar.

The protest is being organized under the call of “Say No to Endless War: Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan – Stop U.S. War in Iraq and Syria – Stop the Bombing – Troops Out Now.”

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “13 years after the start of the Iraq war, the U.S. is still at war today. The Obama administration has sent 4000 troops to Iraq and is carrying out daily bombing missions in both Iraq and Syria. The U.S. war continues in Afghanistan and the U.S. has recently launched strikes in Libya.”

The statement continues, “After years of U.S. bombs, troops, weapons and meddling, does anyone believe more of the same will make things better?”

News accounts indicate that there is discussion within the Pentagon of sending additional U.S. military forces to Iraq.

The Minnesota Peace Action Coalition initiated the March 19 protest. Endorsers include a number of local peace and anti-war groups, including, Anti-War Committee, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Women Against Military Madness and others.

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