Jacksonville, FL – Over 60 protesters stormed U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s Jacksonville office on Sept. 12, demanding that the senator renounce his support for President Barack Obama’s proposed military strike on Syria. Nelson says he will vote yes for a U.S. war on Syria.

The protest, called by Jacksonville Against the War on Syria (JAWS), was lively with many Syrian and Arab-Americans taking part. Dave Schneider, an organizer with JAWS, explained, “Bill Nelson built a career for himself criticizing Bush for starting the war in Iraq and he’s happy to take money from progressives and the anti-war movement. But now that Obama is in office, he supports war and occupation. Senator Nelson is now a warmonger. It’s hypocritical, it’s disgusting, it’s flat-out wrong, and we’re demanding he vote no on U.S. war.”

The protesters assembled outside of Nelson’s office on the 20th floor of Riverside Tower. Carrying signs that read, “Say no to U.S. military intervention” and “Hands off Syria,” the group stood in front of the building and caught the attention of drivers in rush hour traffic. They chanted, “USA, stay away!” and “U.S., NATO, hands off Syria,” before marching inside the complex.

The protest included members from JAWS, the Friends of the Syrian American Forum, the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition, the New Jim Crow Movement, Occupy Jacksonville, several churches in the area, and students from the University of North Florida. Many of the protesters were Syrian American, for whom the threat of war is especially terrifying and personal.

“I am a Syrian,” said Sandra Ahmad, a Syrian American resident in Jacksonville, who lost a cousin to the U.S. and Saudi-backed rebels. “I can’t see America going to bomb my country and family and friends and my whole memories, and stay quiet. That’s hard. We can’t fight there but we are going to do anything we can here to help. It’s not easy to see your families killed.”

Once inside the building, the protesters ignored the requests of security guards to put away their megaphones, with one person saying, “We’re just here to speak with our senator.” As the crowd rode the escalators to the tower lobby, they continued chanting, “Senator Nelson, hands off Syria,” and “Obama, it’s not your business.”

The crowd filled into five elevators and reached Nelson’s office, continuing to loudly chant and make noise. Nelson’s staff left moments before the protesters arrived, leaving the crowd with no way to directly voice their demands.

With no one from Nelson’s office to talk with, protesters began posting up their rally signs and small cards that read, “I don’t support Obama’s strike on Syria, and neither should you, Bill Nelson,” which every person signed. Within minutes, rally signs and cards covered the entirety of Senator Nelson’s office door.

The crowd reassembled downstairs in front of the tower. Many of the Syrian Americans sang the Syrian national anthem and led several Arabic chants against U.S. intervention.

Organizers announced several call-in days to Senator Nelson’s office. After marching to a nearby park, participants drew up plans for a meeting and forum on future actions.

After the rally, Schneider commented on their protest, “Just two days after we marched on Congressman Crenshaw’s office, he came out vocally against any U.S. military strike on Syria.”

Jacksonville Congressman Ander Crenshaw said he would vote no on authorizing war on Syria. Protesters targeted Crenshaw earlier this month by plastering his front office door with rally signs, news articles, letters and petitions. Crenshaw specifically cited the actions of his constituents as a reason for his change from “undecided” to a “no” on U.S. war with Syria.

#JacksonvilleFL #AntiwarMovement #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers #SyrianAmericanForum #SenatorBillNelson

A statement from Syria’s military says that the helicopter mistakenly strayed a small way across the border, was given immediate orders to return, and as it was heading back, was shot down. The statement also noted that the hasty reaction on the part of Turkey is evidence that they are escalating the tension on the border between the two countries.

For its part, Turkey has played an important role in helping the U.S. and other Western countries in their efforts to destroy Syria’s government. Turkey is a key transit point for combatants and war material for the brutal Syrian rebels. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has set up a large operation inside Turkey to arm and train the Syrian opposition.

Given recent threats by the U.S. to launch military strikes against Syria – and despite the massive opposition domestically and internationally which resulted in the Obama administration pausing its attack plans – it’s likely that Washington will continue to seek pretexts to expand the war with Syria.

#Syria #USImperialism #turkey #chemicalWeapons #destroyers #MiddleEast

Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 people rallied and marched here, Sept. 14, under the call of “No New Wars – No U.S. Military Intervention in Syria.” Protesters gathered in the busy Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue area. Carrying signs and banners opposing an attack on Syria, they marched along Lake Street. There were many honks of support from passing cars.

Margaret Sarfehjooy of Women Against Military Madness stated, “We are here to say no more. No more wars. Not one more death in Syria in my name paid for with my tax dollars. Hands off Syria.”

The demonstration was initiated by Minnesota Peace Action Coalition and endorsed by Anti-War Committee, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Women Against Military Madness, Students for a Democratic Society and others.

Jess Sundin of the Anti War Committee told the crowd shortly before the march, “Syria and Russia called the White House’s bluff early this week and agreed to Secretary of State John Kerry’s demand that Syria turn over any chemical weapons to the international community. Syria is joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, and Russia is working on UN oversight.”

Sundin continued, “In spite of this progress, President Obama spoke to the country on Tuesday, and announced that U.S. warships would not withdraw. He told us all that they remain ready, waiting for his order to attack. If he honestly cared about chemical weapons, Obama might have used Tuesday’s speech to take credit for some fine diplomacy and maybe extended his commitment to rid the world of these weapons – starting with the Pentagon’s stockpiles, and then maybe moving onto Israel. Of course, that is not what happened.”

Speaking at the end of the protest Alan Dale, a member of the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition, said, “The U.S. has been at war continuously for the past 12 years: Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, the drone wars in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia. And now the Obama administration is proposing yet another military intervention. The people of the U.S. and people around the world say enough, enough, enough! No new wars! People need funds for jobs and housing, not another war.”

Organizers also announced plans for a protest in Minneapolis set for Oct. 5 that will mark 12 years of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. The protest is being organized to demand “U.S. Troops and Drones Out of Afghanistan – No New Wars – No Military Intervention in Syria.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Russia #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers

Miami, FL – Over 25 people gathered outside of Senator Bill Nelson’s Miami office here on Sept. 12 to demand that the U.S. Senator from Florida vote against any military authorization bill that comes his way.

The rally began at 6:45 p.m. in front of Nelson’s office, which is located in Coral Gables. Protesters held Syrian flags and anti-war signs with slogans such as, “Hands off Syria,” and “I don’t want my tax dollars supporting Al-Qaeda.”

On Sept. 10, President Obama addressed the nation stating that the U.S. would postpone any immediate strikes against Syria, as well as the vote for Congressional approval. According to a POWIR (People's Opposition to War, Imperialism and Racism) statement released the following day, the protest itself was not postponed because the military option is still not off the table and a vote could still happen at any moment.

Sandy Davies, of Progressive Democrats of America (Miami-Dade), gave the first speech at the protest in which he told the crowd that this was the first time in history that popular resistance against a war actually succeeded in deterring the U.S. from attacking another country.

“We must continue to resist the media’s narrative that Assad gassed his own people. It has never been proven true,” Davies said. “We must also resist any new red lines that the government puts forth to try ad justify attacking Syria. No new red line!”

Camilo Mejia of Veterans for Peace also spoke to the crowd. He said the U.S. remains the “world’s number one bully and the world’s number one war criminal,” and continued by saying that the U.S. has been using biological and chemical weapons since the extermination of Native Americans.

After the speeches, the group marched from Senator Nelson’s office to Ponce De Leon Park, chanting, “No Justice to peace, U.S. out of the Middle East!” Cars honked in support and onlookers raised fists in solidarity.

Upon arriving to the park, members of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Green Party and POWIR delivered speeches opposing any new imperialist wars and actions overseas.

Kim Miller, an organizer with POWIR said, “All anti-imperialist and peace-loving people around the world should oppose all U.S. policies used to intimidate and bully independent nationalist governments!”

The event ended at 8:00 in the evening. This protest was part of a statewide call to action put out by POWIR for the week of Sept. 8. Cities across Florida held call-ins and protests urging representatives and senators to vote no on war with Syria. People and organizations in Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami and Gainesville all took part in the week of action.

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #POWIR #destroyers

Chicago, IL – Chanting, “Bombs won’t bring peace, U.S. Out of the Middle East,” 30 people gathered on a downtown street corner here, Sept. 12, to keep the pressure on the Obama White House. According to Hatem Abudayyeh of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network – Chicago, “Although President Obama said on Tuesday that the U.S. will now take the diplomatic plan developed by Russia, we believe that the U.S. drive to war has not ended, and our response remains the same: No war on Syria.”

The activists, which included the Syrian American Forum and the ANSWER Coalition of Chicago, also hit at the role of the military industrial complex in pushing for war in Syria. Joe Iosbaker of the Anti-War Committee (AWC)-Chicago said, “Who would benefit from this war? Weapons manufacturers like Raytheon, which makes the Tomahawk missile. The value of their stock has soared in recent weeks, because the war could include 200 to 400 of these cruise missiles.”

In recent months, the AWC has campaigned against Chicago’s own weapons manufacturer, the Boeing Company. Iosbaker points out, “The White House is planning to use Boeing's long range bombers to attack Syria. Those bombers will be loaded with “smart bombs”, made by Boeing as well.”

The protest ended with Kait McIntyre of AWC calling for everyone to attend the Midwest regional protest against war on Syria and against drone warfare on Sept. 28 in Chicago.

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #Russia #Syria #USImperialism #destroyers #SyrianAmericanForum

Commenting on the speech, Bruce Nestor, a Minneapolis attorney and member of the National Lawyers Guild said, “We question the intelligence findings and do not believe the U.S. has the moral authority to act or is motivated to protect the people of Syria. We know that bombs and war will not promote human rights. We call on Congress to follow the will of the people and vote no, whether it’s this week or a month from now.”

Meredith Aby of the Twin Cities-based Anti-War Committee states, “If this was really about chemical weapons Obama would call off these threats, but instead he is calling for a continuation of threatening Syria minus the ‘reason.’ In reality this plan to attack is about going after Iran and Syria, because they are a hurdle to U.S. plans for domination of the Middle East.”

Aby continued, “It is a victory for the anti-war movement that Obama is being pressured into taking Russia's deal. If the president had the support of the public he'd go to war without congressional approval. But he can't do that. We have helped lead a public and loud movement of people demanding that they be listened to.

“The point of this speech was to sell war to the American people, but hours before the speech Congress called off its vote. However, Obama made it clear tonight he's having a hard time campaigning for war on Syria. Please come out Saturday [Sept. 14] at 3:00 p.m. to say no to war with Syria! Our work isn't done until the troops and ships threatening Syria are out of the Middle East.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Syria #BarackObama #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers #Congress

Grand Rapids, MI – 40 people protested against a U.S. war on Syria at the War Memorial in downtown Grand Rapids on Sept. 7. Some brought flowers for the victims of U.S. wars to the noon time protest, while others brought anti-war signs and messages. After folk singer Carol Johnson opened the rally with her rousing voice, organizer Joe Fletcher welcomed the protesters.

One speaker explained why the White House wants to go to war in Syria despite the lack of evidence and facts, “because the U.S. wants to dominate the Middle East and control the oil in the region after being forced out of Iraq.” Another speaker led the singing of John Lennon’s song “Imagine”, while a third read a letter from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro opposing the U.S. war on Syria. There were announcements about the Midwest Action Against Drones in Chicago on Sept. 28 and 29 and Peace Days in Grand Rapids leading up to Sept. 21. The final speakers led chants and pumped people to march around the downtown area and a street festival. Grand Rapidians either applauded and gave the fist pump in the air, or stood amazed as the protesters ranging in age from 18 to 81 passed by chanting, “Hands off Syria, no new wars!” and “We demand peace, U.S. out of the Middle East!”

Local radio personality Jeremiah Bannister emceed and spoke about the widespread opposition to President Obama’s plans for war saying, “Some of my progressive friends have amnesia, but I am trying hard to help them remember when they opposed a major war in the Middle East just a few years ago, and the reasons why. With many being the same today.” Bannister also spoke about the anti-war sentiment that spans society in the wake of the U.S. destruction in Iraq and the ongoing U.S. occupation of Afghanistan, saying “Take care with speaking to your conservative friends, family and acquaintances about their sudden embrace of anti-war values. Be very gracious and constructive with them.”

Chaka Holley, a Black community activist, spoke about the strong and consistent opposition to U.S. war in the African-American community. She explained, “When I come to anti-war rallies, rallies against big business, banks, animal abuse and the like, I rarely see more than a handful of Blacks or Latinos. I do not believe that this is due to a lack of concern but more so due to a lack of opportunity.” Holley then detailed many of the recent police and vigilante murders of African-American people, including Trayvon Martin. After an emotional moment, Holley asked of anti-war activists, “Not only do we need you to oppose war but we need you to fight for good public education, access to fair housing, good immigration laws, ending the mass incarceration of African Americans, fight for laws that protect our children when they are driving while Black in America, laws that protect our children from being shot down on their way from the candy store, school or bombed while sitting in church or on their living room floors.” After Holley finished with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., the applause was loud and prolonged.

The anti-war movement in Grand Rapids is grappling with the political contradictions faced on a national level. U.S. Representative Justin Amash, a Republican and Arab-American, is a strong and outspoken ‘no’ vote against U.S. war in Syria, while liberal Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, support another U.S. war in the Middle East. The Left Forum of Grand Rapids launched a campaign this week “Michiganders against U.S. war on Syria” targeting the supposedly ‘progressive’ Senators Stabenow and Levin with phone calls and emails demanding they vote no on any new wars.

Mike Kowalski of the Left Forum of Grand Rapids summed it up, “Our rally was pulled together quickly, but still the biggest anti-war protest in Grand Rapids for a few years now. We are targeting these treacherous Senators from Michigan with a phone call blitz to ‘Vote no’ and students are starting anti-war outreach on the campuses in town. Like people in the rest of Michigan, and the world, we want to stop this war before it starts!”

#GrandRapidsMI #AntiwarMovement #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers #Congress #SenatorCarlLevin #SenatorDebbieStabenow

New York City, NY – Over 1000 people demonstrated against the threatened attacks on Syria here, Sept. 7, marching from Times Square to Union Square along Broadway, past tens of thousands of people. The main slogan was “U.S. hands off Syria.”

Sara Flounders, of the International Action Center, invited demonstrators to come to Washington D.C. on Sept. 9, to protest when the U.S. Congress reconvenes. Many other organizations supported the march. This was one of at least 40 demonstrations held across the U.S. today.

#NewYorkCityNY #AntiwarMovement #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers #Congress

Minneapolis, MN – More than 300 people joined a spirited protest here, Sept. 7, to demand that Congress votes against a war on Syria.

The Obama administration will be seeking a resolution in support of a military attack on Syria in the upcoming week.

Carrying signs and banners, protesters chanted “1,2,3,4, we don't want another war, 5,6,7,8, vote no, it's not too late,” receiving the support of many of those passing by.

Meredith Aby, of the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee, told the crowd, “Secretary of State Kerry had the balls to say that after WWI the civilized members of the international community decided to never use chemical weapons again. Well, the civilized ones might have agreed but that clearly didn’t include the U.S. The U.S used chemical weapons to inflict illness and painful death on large amounts of innocent people by using napalm in Vietnam and Southeast Asia and later in Iraq by using white phosphorus. If Obama really is appalled by the use of chemical weapons, he should at least have the same concern about what his own country does. All of us here should demand that the U.S. never use chemical weapons again.”

Speaking on the goals of a U.S. attack Aby said, “Obama has publicly stated he wants a regime change. At the point at which the president is deciding who gets to rule Syria, we are talking about the U.S. installing a puppet government. It’s clearly about clearing the way for a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran. The U.S. geopolitical plans for the region are the real motivations for attacking Syria. Stopping this war is critical because we are not just fighting to stop an attack on Syria, we are working to stop an attack on Iran and to stop the continuation of U.S. imperialism in the Middle East.”

The protest was initiated by Minnesota Peace Action Coalition and endorsed by Anti-War Committee, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Women Against Military Madness and others.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #AntiwarCommittee #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers

Minneapolis, MN – More than 175 people demonstrated in front of the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to oppose a U.S. military attack on Syria. The protest was initiated by the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition and was endorsed by the Anti-War Committee, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Women Against Military Madness and others.

Meredith Aby, of the Twin Cites-based Anti-War Committee told the crowd, “The White House and Pentagon are preparing a cruise missile attack on Syria. Failing to receive international support for these plans, and in the face of overwhelming opposition from the U.S. public, the Obama administration is now turning to Congress for cover in the form of a resolution authorizing the use of military force. When Congress returns to D.C. next week, on Sept. 9, their votes will determine whether and how a war on Syria may begin. This week, while they are in their home districts across the country, politicians need to hear from their constituents.”

Aby also stated, “Syria’s real ‘crime’ is to remain independent, ignoring the agenda of U.S. empire in the Middle East and befriending the patriotic peoples of Iran, Lebanon and Palestine. They speak of chemical weapons, hoping that we have forgotten their plan for ‘regime change’ in Syria. The U.S. government has no right to determine who should lead the Syrian government. Beyond just openly calling for the Syrian president to be thrown out, the U.S. has already given more than a billion dollars’ worth of battlefield support to the Syrian opposition. And devastating Syria with hundreds of cruise missiles will only make it harder for the Syrian people to decide their own future and ensures a continued escalation of U.S. involvement in Syria and the Middle East.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Syria #SenatorAmyKlobuchar #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers

Commenting on President Obama’s decision to have a war vote in Congress, Joe Iosbaker of the Chicago Anti-War Committee stated, “The U.S. has suffered a setback in their drive toward war with Syria. The opposition in the U.N., the vote in the British Parliament and the demonstrations across the country here has won a small victory for the anti-war movement. Now President Obama is going to ask Congress for support. We must tell the politicians to vote no! In Chicago, the Anti-War Committee is calling for a ‘Congress: Vote No to War’ noon protest on Saturday, Sept. 7 to help send that message.”

Meredith Aby of the Twin Cites based Anti War Committee says, “In Minnesota the Congressional delegation is starting to fall in line behind President Obama, including Klobuchar, Franken, and Ellison. However, public opinion is overwhelmingly on our side and we need to mobilize people to demonstrate and show that we don't want to be dragged into another war and to pressure Congress. The Minnesota Peace Action Coalition has called for a protest at Senator Klobuchar's office on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 4:30. It is critical that everyone who doesn't want U.S. military strikes against Syria demonstrate and call to show that Obama really only has a 9% approval from the American people for his plan to attack Syria.”

In Florida, POWIR (People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism) calling for statewide protests and direct actions to demand that Florida Senators Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson and other Florida representatives vote no on any further U.S. aggression against the Syrian people.

Over the last several weeks demonstrations against a war on Syria have taken place in scores of cities across the U.S.

Carlos Montes, a veteran leader of the Chicano and anti-war movements, states, “Protest the U.S. plans to bomb Syria, and visit or call your local U.S. elected officials to have them say no to Obama's bomb threat!”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #AntiWarCommittee #Syria #CarlosMontes #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #POWIR #destroyers

Miami, FL – As President Obama's resolution for military authorization against Syria goes before Congress, POWIR (People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism) is calling on communities across the state of Florida to take action. The anti-war group is calling for state-wide protests and direct actions to demand that Florida Senators Marco Rubio ® and Bill Nelson (D) and other Florida representatives vote no on any further U.S. aggression against the Syrian people.

POWIR stands in firm opposition to Washington's newest imperialist war in the Middle East, which will ultimately lead to even more civilian casualties and increasing destabilization in the region. Although an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose U.S. military intervention in Syria, the Obama administration appears to have its sights set on war.

Starting on September 9, both the House and the Senate will return from their break and will immediately begin debate on whether to give the president the green light to use military force against Syria. A decision could be reached by mid-September, which means missile strikes could begin within two weeks.

Protests across Florida will take place in front of the senators' various offices located throughout the state. Actions also include sign-holdings, town-hall forums, and call-in days to insist that Senators Nelson and Rubio both stand with their constituents by standing up against senseless military intervention and voting against the President's request for more war.

We are calling on President Obama to stop funding and arming factions in Syria's conflict and we demand that Congress vote no on any US military intervention in the region. And in the event that President Obama does move forward with his war against Syria, POWIR is calling for emergency actions throughout the state within twenty-four hours.

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #POWIR #destroyers

Minneapolis, MN – A coalition of peace and anti-war organizations are organizing a protest on Sept. 3, in front of the offices of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, to oppose U.S. military intervention in Syria.

The building that houses Klobuchar’s office is located near the entrance ramps for 35W at 1200 Washington Avenue South in Minneapolis. The picket will run from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “The Obama administration has announced that it wants Congress to vote on a new war with Syria. Time is of the essence to send a clear message to Congress: the majority of people in the U.S. are against new wars and interventions. Military intervention will not bring peace and justice to the people of Syria.”

The statement continues, “The opposition to a new war is everywhere. This opposition forced the Obama administration to step back from a bombing campaign this past weekend. But the danger also exists for an even larger war against Syria as Obama seeks to make a deal with pro-war senators and congresspersons to pass a war resolution in Congress.”

The call for the Sept. 3 protest vigil to speak out against a U.S. war in Syria was initiated by Minnesota Peace Action Coalition and is endorsed by the Anti-War Committee, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Veterans for Peace, Women Against Military Madness and others.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Syria #SenatorAmyKlobuchar #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers

Asheville, NC – Over 50 people rallied in downtown here, Aug. 31, to protest the looming military intervention in Syria. Protesters chanted “No justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East!” and held banners and signs demanding “Hands off Syria!”

A number of groups participated in the rally, including Asheville Veterans for Peace, Occupy Asheville, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Blue Ridge Liberty Project and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. A member of the Veterans for Peace chapter in Asheville spoke at the rally, “Veterans from across the world are at this time standing tall saying ‘No more war!’” and urged people passing by to join the protest.

Josh Sykes said of the protest, “U.S. military intervention would not be for the good of the Syrian people and the majority of people recognize that and are taking to the streets. Syria is not threatening nor poses a threat to Americans. This is another clear example of the U.S. lying about needing to intervene on humanitarian grounds in order to maintain control in the Middle East.” Protesters announced they would continue to rally “as long as the war drums keep beating against Syria.”

#AshevilleNC #AntiwarMovement #Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers

Los Angeles, CA – Centro CSO and Latinos Against War and the community hit the streets on August 29 – the anniversary of our Chicano Moratorium Memorial Day of Resistance against war. Protesters demanded no U.S. war on the people of Syria and the Middle East and called for ending military recruitment aimed at our Latino and immigrant youth.

The protest was held in front of the largest military recruitment center in Los Angeles, at the East Los Angeles Plaza del Sol. Hundreds of passersby express their support by cheering and honking their horns. Students and families turned out to express anger at yet another U.S. war. Protesters chanted, “Raza si, guerra no! Money for human needs not war!”

Speaker David Cid told the crowd the U.S. is falsifying the Syrian events to try to justify a military attack.

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #Syria #ChicanoMoratorium #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers

Glory to the honorable patriotic steadfastness! Syria will not kneel!

A statement of the Syrian Communist Party

Masses of the Syrian people!

Sisters, brothers!

The Syrian Communist Party is heading towards you, in these difficult days, calling to close ranks and to make every effort to combat the brutal colonial aggression. After world imperialism and its spearhead, the American imperialism have failed to conquer Syria through the imposition of the blockade and the support of the criminal and subversive operations of the terrorist bands which have committed heinous acts including horrific massacres, many of them on sectarian and ethnic basis, and the sabotaging and destruction of economic establishments and imposing obscurantist laws strange to the composition of the Syrian people which is characterized by openness and tolerance. We believe that American imperialism is announcing its willingness to direct military aggression, she and her allies, under the pretext of acts made by her agents and supervised by its organs.

Yes, it’s clearly visible that American imperialism is basing its aggression on false charges to justify its act. This brute force accuses us of crimes that have been committed by her all over the world under the hypocritical banner “Defense of the free world and democracy”. Witness the use of the invading American forces bacterial and chemical weapons in the war against Korea in the middle of the last century, and the use of the same weapons in the war against the liberation movement of the people of Vietnam, including the powder «Orange B», which because of it, women in Vietnam still give birth to deformed children after forty years of the end of this war in which the American imperialism came out defeated and in deep shame. The U.S. military machine used enriched uranium in the war against our brotherly Iraq but that did not help in enabling the occupation and the American invaders fled from the land of proud Iraq like mice. The overall crimes committed by American imperialism and for many decades, calls for providing its leaders, including the presidents to the international war crime tribunal like the court which criminalized the rulers and leaders of Hitler’s Germany. The Nazis contemporaries of imperialist and Zionist leaders will meet the same fate, thanks to the liberation struggle of the peoples of the world.

The brave Syrian people and army, after the heroic patriotic steadfastness for more than two years, in the face of the undeclared war that was launched on it, will address valiantly and with more courage the blatant military aggression. It will do so led by the heroic examples from the makers of Hiteen to the martyrs of Maysaloon and the heroes of the Great Syrian Revolt.

The defense of Syria’s national regime, which faces head held high, all methods of aggression, refusing humiliation and submission, means defending the country and its sovereignty and independence.

In these difficult circumstances through which our country and our people, all efforts must be made to strengthen all fronts: political, military and economic. The Syrian people are not alone in battle, with it in struggle the support of all free peoples in the world.

Shame and disgrace for imperialism and its agents!

Glory to the honorable patriotic steadfastness!

Syria will not kneel!

Damascus 28/8/2013

#Syria #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers #SyrianCommunistParty #MiddleEast

Los Angeles, CA – “We must protest publicly the threatened U.S. military attacks against the people of Syria and denounce the government and media lies used to justify a missile attack. We must also continue to expose the U.S. military targeting the poor – especially Blacks and Chicanos – for recruitment,” states veteran Chicano and anti war activist Carlos Montes.

Montes is among those organizing a protest in Boyle Heights (1241 South Soto Street), Aug. 29, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. to say “No U.S. war on people of Syria and the Middle East.”

The call for the action points out that Aug. 29 is the anniversary of the historic Chicano Moratorium protest against the Vietnam War. On Aug. 29, 1970 over 30,000 Chicanos marched in the heart of East Los Angeles protesting the Vietnam War, the high casualty rate of Chicano soldiers and racist conditions in the barrios.

The Los Angeles Aug. 29 protest against a military attack on Syria will take place in front of U.S. Marine Recruitment Center. It is one of the many anti-war protests that are scheduled to take place across the country.

#LosAngelesCA #AntiwarMovement #Syria #ChicanoMoratorium #USImperialism #chemicalWeapons #destroyers

SDS is calling on students and progressives everywhere to hold rallies, marches, and demonstrations in response to the current threats of U.S. missile strikes on Syria. The U.S. military machine brings nothing but terror, death, and destruction everywhere it goes. We have seen the horrific results of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. bombing of Libya, U.S. drone attacks in Yemen, Pakistan and elsewhere. We have heard the lies of “weapons of mass destruction,” that were used to justify the invasion of Iraq that resulted in over one million Iraqi deaths, and now we hear the United States banging the war drums and repeating the same lies to justify the bombing of Syria. U.S. bombing of Syria would result in the senseless murder of untold numbers of innocent civilians and children.

The United States has been funding, arming and training known terrorists, including Al-Qaeda, in Syria since the beginning of the conflict. By attempting to overthrow the Syrian government the United States hopes to gain control over oil and other natural resources and establish a regime that will bow down to the genocidal agenda of U.S. imperialism. Syria has a history of being a safe haven for those seeking refuge from imperialist war mongering. Before the start of this conflict, Syria was home to over 1.5 million Iraqi refugees and over half a million Palestinian refugees. Much of the oil and other natural resources in Syria are publicly owned and the profits from these industries are redistributed to public services such as education and healthcare. This has enabled Syria to provide basic human rights such as education not only to Syrians but also to refugees displaced by imperialism that are unlikely to have access to these resources otherwise.

We hear the U.S. government tell lies about WMDs, but we know that it is, in fact, the U.S. government that has and uses weapons of mass destruction. It was the United States who dropped nuclear bombs on civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, dropped depleted uranium bombs in Yugoslavia, and used napalm to terrorize in Vietnam. Under Obama’s presidency, the United States has used drone strikes to terrorize and cause mass destruction in numerous countries. This must come to an end. Now more than ever those who stand for justice and against war must demand “Hands Off Syria!”

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“Britain could offer warships and submarines equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which could be launched miles from the Syrian coast. The Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Tireless is reported to be already in the regions,” stated The Guardian.

There are additional press reports that warplanes are assembling about 100 miles from Syria at the British airbase at Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Across the U.S., anti-war activists are speaking out and organizing protests against a military attack on Syria.

Joe Iosbaker of Chicago’s Anti-War Committee states, “U.S warships are threatening to attack Syria with cruise missiles, with the pretext of a chemical weapon attack by the government against a rebel-held area. John Kerry and the U.S. administration are completely without credibility in this. This is a replay of the WMD lies told about Iraq.”

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