Chicago, IL – More than 200 activists from 73 organizations met at the Kent College of Law here, Aug. 28, to lay the groundwork for massive protests at the G8 and NATO summit is scheduled for May of 2012. The conference, initiated by the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) served as the founding meeting of the “Coalition Against NATO / G8 War and Poverty Agenda.” Participants agreed that the meeting was a resounding success.

Joe Iosbaker, the Chicago spokesperson for UNAC, told attendees, “We have been running flat out since June to bring this meeting together to found both a national coalition and a local coalition against NATO and the G8, to say no to their wars and attacks on the lives of workers and oppressed people. This meeting today brings together over 70 organizations. We have key groups here – folks who played a leading role in the major anti-war and anti-corporate globalization protests in recent years; veterans of all the anti-war movements since Vietnam; as well as leading fighters in the community and labor struggles in Chicago. We have reached out broadly, gathering support from faith-based activists, from Arab and Muslim, African American, Puerto Rican and Chicano/Mexicano communities, and all the organizations in Chicago and across the country in the anti-war movement to build the largest protests possible in May.”

Iosbaker was one of the anti-war and international solidarity activists whose home was raided by the FBI on September 24, 2010.

Speaking of the protests planned for the Summit, Iosbaker stated “When we march on the McCormick Convention Center, our front banner will read, ‘Jobs, Housing, Healthcare, Education, Pensions, the Environment – Not War.’ We think that will speak for most people in this city, and we think that tens of thousands will join us to say ‘No to NATO/G8 and their War and Poverty Agenda.’”

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #NATO #JoeIosbaker #MeredithAby #UnitedNationalAntiWarCommittee #UNAC #G8 #NATOG8Summit

UNITED NATIONAL ANTIWAR COALITION STATEMENT ON CARLOS MONTES DEFENSE

The Federal Government escalated their attacks on trade union and antiwar activists on May 17 at 5 a.m. when the FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s SWAT team broke down the door, high powered rifles drawn, and raided the home of Carlos Montes, a Chicano activist with over 40 years committed to building movements of working people and the oppressed. UNAC stands opposed to this coordinated federal and local government targeting of persons who are dedicated to organizing against reactionary bipartisan U.S. government policies that target U.S. immigrant workers and millions throughout the world whose countries have been ravaged by the U.S. military and foreign policy.

Montes is also an active supporter, along with UNAC, of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, that formed in defense of The Midwest 23 and other progressives being swept up in this new McCarthy-style dragnet.

UNAC denounces the methods of terror and seizure to which Montes was subjected, tactics that mirrored those of the September 24, 2010 FBI raids against 23 union, antiwar, and solidarity activists: phones, computers, documents, photographs, and records related to Montes’ political activity were confiscated. Montes was arrested on a spurious charge of possessing guns, which he had legally registered. UNAC stands with CSFR in demanding that all of his property be returned and that the charges against him dropped.

On May 18, the day after the raid on Montes, the National Committee to Stop FBI Repression held a press conference to denounce the attacks against The Midwest 23 and Montes and to publicize the release of FBI documents left by agents during last year’s raid on Mick Kelly’s and Linden Gawboy’s apartment in Minneapolis. The documents revealed that the FBI was targeting activists who traveled to Columbia and Palestine, where movements— with whom UNAC stands in solidarity—are fighting the repressive governments of Columbia and Israel, both funded with billions in U.S. tax payer dollars. The documents also revealed that the FBI instructed agents to bring assault rifles and extra ammunition to the raid of Kelly and Gaboy’s apartment, and even arranged for paramedics to be on the scene. UNAC denounces these heave handed tactics from the FBI, which could have easily got someone hurt or killed. This unjustified assault on activists is clearly an attempt to frighten and intimidate activists.

The timing of the raid the day before the press conference can’t be passed off as coincidence; rather, it was a conscious attempt by the government to intimidate Stop FBI Raids committees, the antiwar movement, and now, the immigrant rights movement. The raid against Montes is a new phase of government repression insofar as it targets the very organization formed specifically to demand “FBI Hands Off!”

Moreover, the raid also marks the deployment of joint federal and local government repression against the antiwar movement—unprecedented in recent times—and mirrors the expanded attacks against undocumented workers by the collusion of repressive local and federal agencies operating under programs like the Clinton-era 287 (g) legislation and the current administration’s grossly misnamed Secure Communities program. It’s further proof that the government stands opposed to those who defend the victims of reactionary local, state and federal policy—foreign and domestic. UNAC reaffirms its demand that the government cease its raids and seizures; they are a clear attack on the entire antiwar movement and all organizations seeking social justice as well an end to U.S. wars of intervention around the world.

Immigrant rights and antiwar leaders in Chicago responded on May 25 to point up the real connection between this escalation of the witch-hunt against the antiwar and immigrant rights movements and the deportations of immigrants, which has increased under the Obama administration, surpassing Bush. It’s significant, also, that Montes played a leadership role during the Chicano Moratorium in the summer of 1970, when over 30,000 L.A. area Chicanos and undocumented workers mobilized in their own name against the Vietnam War. UNAC supports similar mobilizations of those in this country that bear the brunt of U.S. government attacks—immigrants, Muslims and people of color.

The raid against Montes came on the heels of U.S government (FBI and U.S. Attorney) investigation of Chicago area antiwar leader and Palestinian activist, Hatem Abbudayeh. It caused, according to his lawyers, “his bank to overreact and illegally freeze the Abudayyehs’ banking accounts that had been there for over a decade.” TCF bank has since returned his assets and refused to allow him to open another account.

The raids, grand jury, and ongoing harassment of these activists has nothing to do with “material support for terrorism.” The now 24 activists who have been raided and/or subpoenaed by the government are being targeted for their active and public opposition to U.S. foreign policy. The government is not only attempting to silence these activists, but to silence activists in all progressive social movements. The government is sending a message that McCarthy era witch-hunts are back, and activists beware. This makes it all the more important to stand with the targeted activists and show the government that we will not be intimated by its assault on those who speak out against injustice.

Danger continues to loom of federal indictments against the Midwest 23 for refusing to submit to the Federal Grand Jury. UNAC stands in full solidarity with these courageous activists as the government threatens jail time for their refusal to testify against others in the movements to stop war, Islamophobia, and attacks on workers, immigrant and otherwise.

UNAC stand in solidarity with those under government attack:

· Drop All Charges against Carlos Montes, and immediately return all of his property! · Stop Government Attacks on the Chicano and Immigrant Rights Movements! · Call Off the Expanding Grand Jury Witch Hunt and FBI Repression of Chicano, Immigrant Rights, Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists NOW! · Cancel the Subpoenas! Cancel the Grand Juries! Government Hands Off Chicano, Immigrant Rights, Anti-War and International Solidarity Activists!

#UnitedStates #FBI #CarlosMontes #UnitedNationalAntiWarCommittee #UNAC

Minneapolis, MN – Thirty U.S. troops were killed when Taliban forces shot down their helicopter over Afghanistan Aug. 6. The helicopter crash was the most deadly single incident for the U.S. military forces in Afghanistan since the war began nearly ten years ago in 2001.

The Minnesota Peace Action Coalition issued a statement that says in part, “The destruction of the U.S. helicopter has put the U.S. war in Afghanistan back on the front pages across the country.

“The U.S. war in Afghanistan is not winding down. While the Obama administration talks of troop withdrawals, the actual number of soldiers being withdrawn over the next year will leave twice as many U.S. troops in Afghanistan as were there on the day Obama took office. The number of U.S. air strikes, both by unmanned drones and by planes, is increasing.”

Last week, Wired magazine reported in its Danger Room blog that “Allied jets and bombers are unloading their weapons on more than 20 sorties a day, according to U.S. military statistics, for a total of 652 attack runs” during the month of July.

The magazine went on to report, “It’s part of a war effort that has grown more aggressive in nearly every way. Special operations forces now launch a dozen ‘kill/capture’ raids a night… Massive surface-to-surface missiles have been used to clear the Taliban out of Kandahar; tanks have been sent to Helmand province to help crush opponents; civilian homes taken over by insurgents have been leveled without apology.”

A UN report issued last month reported that 1,462 civilians were killed as a result of the war in Afghanistan in the first six months of 2011, a 15 per cent increase in the number of civilian deaths over the first half of 2010.

The Minnesota Peace Action Coalition statement explained, “The war in Afghanistan is continuing and costs billions of dollars every month. At the same time, millions of people in the U.S. face unemployment and loss of their homes to foreclosure. We need funds for jobs, housing and education, not a war without end in Afghanistan.”

The Minnesota Peace Action Coalition statement went on to urge all those against the war to turn out for anti-war actions this fall. The fall actions will mark the tenth anniversary since the start of the war.

Anti-war actions being planned include a call by a wide range of organizations for people to participate in an ongoing protest in Washington D.C. starting on Oct. 6, which will include non-violent ‘civil resistance’ actions in the capitol.

Local protests are being planned in cities around the country on Friday, Oct. 7, the actual date of the start of the war in 2001. A Midwest regional anti-war march has been called for Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 8.

The United National Antiwar Committee and others are working for Saturday, Oct. 15 to be a day of national anti-war protests in cities around the U.S. In Minneapolis. the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition will hold a march and rally Oct. 15 under the call “Bring the Troops and War Dollars Home Now – Time to Leave – Get Out of Afghanistan.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Afghanistan #AfghanistanWar #UnitedNationalAntiWarCommittee #MinnesotaPeaceActionCoalition #casualties #Asia

Call For International Protests on the NATO War Makers

Chicago May 15 and 22, 2012

Dear friends,

An alliance of Chicago area peace and justice organizations, together with the United National Antiwar Committee (UNAC), are jointly calling for a united mass mobilization to protest the NATO and G8 Summits to be held in Chicago May 15 to 22. Permit applications were submitted for:

• Tuesday, May 15 – a national assembly to put the warmakers on trial.
• Saturday, May 19 – a major international demonstration to express broad outrage at the gathering of war makers wasting trillions of dollars on war and devastation during a time of enormous economic hardship and crisis for millions.

Several Chicago area groups have co-sponsored this call. The initial list is below. To add your group to the list of endorsers, email UNACpeace@gmail.com.

NATO is the US-commanded and financed 28-nation military alliance. There will also be a summit of the G-8 world powers. The meetings are expected to draw heads of state, generals, and countless others.

At a day-long meeting in New York City on Saturday, June 18, the United National Antiwar Committee’s national coordinating committee of 69 participants, representing 47 organizations, unanimously passed a resolution to call for action at the NATO meeting.

UNAC will mount a massive united outpouring in Chicago during the NATO gathering to put forth demands opposing endless wars and calling for billions spent on war and destruction be spent instead on people’s needs for jobs, health care, housing and education.

Initial List of Chicago Area Endorsers

• Hatem Abudayyeh, *US Palestinian Community Network, Chicago
• Bill Chambers, Committee Against Political Repression
• Sarah Chambers, Executive Board Member, Chicago Teachers Union
• Mark Clements, Campaign to End the Death Penalty
• Vince Emmanuelle, *Iraq Veterans Against the War
• Randy Evans, Global Reach, Inc.
• Chris Geovanis, Hammerhard Media Works
• Pat Hunt, Chicago Area Code Pink, Chicago Area Peace Action
• Joe Iosbaker, Committee to Stop FBI Repression
• Dennis Kosuth, *National Nurses United, union steward
• Kait McIntyre, Students for a Democratic Society, University of Illinois – Chicago
• Jorge Mujica, March 10th Immigrant Rights Activist
• Eric Ruder, *Chicago Network to Send US Boat to Gaza
• Newland Smith, Episcopalian Peace Fellowship
• Sarah Smith, Committee to Stop FBI Repression
• Students for Justice in Palestine at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, *Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign
• Andy Thayer, Gay Liberation Network and Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism

*for identification purposes only

UNAC RESOLUTION TO CHALLENGE THE NATO WAR MAKERS

Whereas, the U.S. is the major and pre-eminent military, economic and political power behind NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), and

Whereas, the U.S. will be hosting a major NATO gathering in the spring of 2012, and

Whereas, U.S. and NATO-allied forces are actively engaged in the monstrous wars, occupations and military attacks on Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, the Middle East and elsewhere,

Be it resolved that:

1. UNAC, in conjunction with a broad range of groups and organizations that share general agreement with the major demands adopted at our 2010 Albany, NY national conference, initiate a mass demonstration at the site of the NATO gathering, and
2. UNAC welcomes and encourages the participation of all groups interested in mobilizing against war and for social justice in planning a broad range of other NATO meeting protests including teach-ins, alternative conferences and activities organized on the basis of direct action/civil resistance, and
3. UNAC will seek to make the NATO conference the occasion for internationally coordinated protests, and
4. UNAC will convene a meeting of all of the above forces to discuss and prepare initial plans to begin work on this spring action.

Passed unanimously by the National Coordinating Committee of UNAC on June 18, 2011

The following groups were at the UNAC meeting that endorsed this resolution:

• Action for a Progressive Pakistan
• Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coalition – NY
• Bayan-USA
• Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace
• Bail Out the People Movement
• Black Agenda Report
• Black is Back
• Boston Stop the Wars
• Code Pink
• Committee to Stop FBI Repression
• Ct. United for Peace
• Fellowship of Reconciliation
• Freedom Road Socialist Organization
• Green Party
• Haiti Liberte'
• Hampshire Students for Justice in Palestine
• Honduras Resistencia – USA
• International Action Center
• International Support Haiti Network
• International League of People’s Struggle
• International Socialist Organization
• Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan NY
• Jersey City Peace Movement
• May 1st Workers and Immigrant Rights Coalition
• Mobilization Against War and Occupation – Canada
• Metro West Peace Action
• Middle East Crisis Committee
• Muslim Peace Coalition
• New England United
• Nodutdol Korean Community Development
• Pakistan Solidarity Network
• Philly Against War
• Project Salam
• Rhode Island Mobilization Committee
• Rochester Against War
• SI – Solidarity with Iran
• Socialist Action
• Socialist Party USA
• Thomas Merton Center Pittsburgh
• United for Justice and Peace
• Veterans for Peace
• Voices for Creative Nonviolence
• West Hartford Citizens for Peace
• WESPAC
• Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
• Workers World
• World Can’t Wait

For more information:

Joe Lombardo, 518-281-1968, UNACpeace@gmail.com

Joe Iosbaker, 773-301-0109, joeiosbaker@gmail.com

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #NATO #UnitedNationalAntiWarCommittee #UNAC #G8

New York City, NY – Over 10,000 protesters gathered here at Union Square, April 9, to demand an end to U.S. wars and occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Libya. Diverse organizations, including anti-war, labor and student groups across the country, united under slogans like, “Bring our war dollars home.”

Hatem Abudayyeh, co-founder and coordinating committee member of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, opened his speech by leading the crowd in chanting, “Free Palestine!” and “End the occupation now!” He then said, “It is because of these slogans that 23 of us in the Midwest have been subpoenaed to the grand jury to testify against our movement, to inform on others in the Palestinian community and in the Palestine solidarity movement. All of us have said that we refuse to testify to the grand jury. We refuse to allow the criminalization of this movement by this government.”

A student contingent rallied earlier at Washington Square Park by the New York University campus and then marched to join with the larger United National Anti-War Committee (UNAC) rally. Stephanie Taylor of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) said, “SDS is here today to demand money for education, not endless wars and occupations. We are enraged that our tax dollars go to killing civilians and destroying people’s movements abroad while people here in the U.S. face foreclosures, massive student debt and a hopeless job market.” The student march to Union Square included UNAC student organizers, SDS, Students for Justice in Palestine and many other student organizations.

Other contingents at the UNAC march represented Palestinians, Latino immigrants, the New York Muslim community and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

New Yorkers lined the streets to cheer on the UNAC march, which ended at Foley Square. 20 blocks at a time were filled with marchers chanting against all U.S. imperialist wars, including the recent bombings of Libya. Chants included, “From New York to Palestine, solidarity is not a crime!”

Tracy Molm spoke on behalf of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression at Foley Square. “Make no mistake, if they can do this to us you could be next. If the government is allowed to make the case that our solidarity work is criminal they can go after any of you too. It is critical that we stand up now before this happens, before any of us go to jail. While I face the risk of jail time I ask for one small thing from all of you, visit StopFBI.net and sign the pledge to protest if and when there are more subpoenas or indictments.”

#NewYorkCityNY #AntiwarMovement #PalestineSolidarity #UnitedNationalAntiWarCommittee

San Francisco, CA – About 3000 people joined a spirited anti-war rally and march here, April 10, to demand an end to the war on working people at home and aboard. Organized by the United National Anti-War Committee, protesters gathered at the Dolores Park, marched through the Mission District and returned to the park for a closing rally.

Keynote speakers included Malalai Joya, who was suspended from Afghanistan’s parliament and has denounced the U.S. occupation of her country, and Mick Kelly of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

Kelly, one of the international solidarity activists raided by the FBI and summoned to a Chicago grand jury, told the crowd, “The United States has built an empire that spans the globe...in every part of the world people are standing up to oppression and exploitation. The government is trying to criminalize those of us who stand in solidarity with the peoples of Palestine, Colombia and other places who are fighting to free themselves.”

Masao Suzuki, of the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression told the crowd, “As a Japanese American, I see the combination of racism, war hysteria and political misleadership that sent 120,000 Japanese Americans to concentration camps during World War II at work again with the persecution and harassment of Arab Americans and American Muslims such as the Irvine 11.” The Irvine 11 are students who interrupted a speech by an Israeli ambassador, and were then the target of a grand jury. They currently face criminal charges.

The April 10 rally in San Francisco followed the successful April 9 anti-war protest held in New York City.

#SanFranciscoCA #AntiwarMovement #MickKelly #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #MalalaiJoya #MasaoSuzuki #UnitedNationalAntiWarCommittee