Minneapolis, MN – To mark one year since the start of the latest U.S. bombing campaign in Iraq, a coalition of Minneapolis and Saint Paul organizations will hold a protest on Saturday, August 8. The protest will be held at Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis starting at 1:00 p.m.

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “August 8 will mark one year since the Obama administration launched a bombing campaign and starting sending troops to Iraq in the name of fighting the Islamic State.”

The statement continues, “Over 20 years of U.S. war, sanctions, occupation and bombing campaigns have created the current crisis in Iraq. More bombs, troops, weapons and ‘advisors’ will not make things better.”

The U.S. carries out daily air strikes not only in Iraq but also in Syria. Over 3000 U.S. troops have been sent to Iraq in the past year.

The August 8 protest in Minneapolis is being organized around the slogans, “U.S. of Out of Iraq – No U.S. War, Stop Bombing Iraq and Syria, No Boots on the Ground –Troops Home Now.”

The flyer for the protest urges, “Gather with signs and banners to be part of a visible anti-war presence.”

Many groups are helping to get out the word about the protest. Both the Anti-War Committee and Women Against Military Madness have had outreach tables at the Saturday Midtown Farmers Market, which is near the site of the protest, at which they have had large signs and flyers announcing the upcoming anti-war activity.

The August 8 protest is endorsed by AFSCME Local 3800, Anti-War Committee, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Mayday Books, Marxist Student Association, Military Families Speak Out (MN chapter), MN Coalition for Palestinian Rights, Peace with Justice Committee of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Peace and Justice Committee (St. Paul), St. Joan of Arc Church, St. Paul Eastside Neighbors for Peace, Socialist Action, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS-UMN), Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Welfare Rights Committee, Women Against Military Madness, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Workers International League.

For more information 612-275-2720 or 612-827-5364.

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