Minneapolis, MN – Leaders of the Twin Cities peace and justice movement announced plans for a major anti-war march to coincide with the opening of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) – if the convention is held in Minneapolis. The press conference took place July 22 in front of the Metrodome, a proposed site of the convention.

Many of the organizations that organized the massive anti-war protests at the Republican National Convention in 2008 are joining this effort.

Meredith Aby, of the Twin Cities-based Anti-War Committee said, “We are prepared to organize a significant protest of thousands of people to demand an end to the wars and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. For the 2008 RNC we organized an impressive coalition of anti-war, economic rights, student, immigrant rights and labor groups to protest the war on Iraq and these forces are ready to come together again to give a loud and clear message of opposition to the Democrats’ support for the war in Afghanistan.”

Sarah Martin, of Women Against Military Madness, blasted the war in Afghanistan, noting “Afghans have a proud history of throwing out their occupiers. Afghanistan is known as the graveyard of empires.”

Demonstrators will be raising the slogans, “U.S. out of Afghanistan and Iraq – now!” “Foreclose the war, not people’s homes,” “Bail out the people, not the banks and corporations!” and “Jobs or income now!” at the DNC protest.

“We think every politician, Democrat or Republican, who has tried to shift the burden of the economic crisis on to the backs of the people needs to be held accountable. We demand that cuts to the social safety net come to an end and call for the expansion of programs that serve poor and working people,” said Angel Buchner of the Welfare Rights Committee.

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