30,000 march against war at the RNC

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:39:19 +0000

St. Paul, MN – On September 1, the opening day of the Republican National Convention, 30,000 people rallied at the Minnesota State Capitol and marched against the war. It was the largest anti-war march in the U.S. this year.

The four main themes of the march were U.S. out of Iraq now; money for human needs, not for war; say no to the Republican agenda; and demand peace, justice and equality.

The march was led off by large contingents of veterans, immigrants, labor, poor people, Somalis, Palestinians, and students.

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #StudentMovement #Labor #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #ChicanoLatino #moneyForHumanNeedsNotForWar #USOutOfIraqNow #veterans #Palestinians

Call for demonstration at Republican National Convention

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:03:39 +0000

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following call for demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. We urge all anti-war and progressive organizations to endorse the protest.

Demonstrate at the Republican National Convention

September 1-4, 2008, Saint Paul, MN: 4 days to change the world

U.S. out of Iraq now!
Money for human needs, not for war!
Say no to the Republican agenda!
Demand peace, justice and equality!

In September 2008, we have a unique opportunity to step onto the stage of history. The whole world will be watching as the Republicans meet to nominate their next candidate for president. We must take to the streets of St. Paul to raise our voices against the war and the occupation of Iraq. The politicians who brought us this war for oil and control of the Middle East represent an elite that will stop at nothing to build up U.S. empire. Theft, torture and murder are part and parcel of the war in Iraq. These politicians do not represent us. They have cut programs that serve our needs at home, and blame the most exploited for our hardships.

The government’s response to hurricane Katrina spoke volumes about its vision and values, its policies and plans. Racism, discrimination, and inequality placed African American families on New Orleans freeway overpasses, surrounded by floodwaters. This is one of many terrible examples of what’s wrong with this country. They attack our democratic rights, our rights to organize and our economic well being – from immigrants and the labor movement, to abortion rights and gay marriage – the Republican agenda is an anti-people agenda.

Too many times, Democratic politicians in Congress have served as accomplices to this reactionary agenda of racism, poverty and war. In 2008, it’s up to us – anyone committed to peace, justice, and equality – to stand up and say no. We are building for a broad nationwide mobilization that will challenge the 2008 Republican Convention and put forward our vision for this country. We are united by a progressive, pro-people agenda, and our insistence that the U.S. leave Iraq now.

During the four-day Republican National Convention, we expect to see every progressive movement raising demands in protests on the streets of St. Paul. Whether you are building the Labor movement in Peoria, Illinois, building solidarity with Palestine, or are speaking out against the many injustices that face people at home and abroad, you should be in St Paul for the RNC in 2008. Permits have been applied for, and groups are starting to organize. Together we can have an incredible impact.

The Republicans picked Minnesota for 2008, betting that activists from around the country would just stay home. Politicians who support the continuing war in Iraq hope that we will stay quiet. Let’s prove them wrong in the streets of St. Paul, Minnesota. Together, we can change the world.

We, the undersigned, endorse the call for protests at the Republican National Convention, in St. Paul, Minnesota, from September 1-4, 2008 We demand that U.S. troops get out of Iraq. We want money for human needs, not for war. We say no to this agenda. We demand peace, justice and equality.

Signers:

Anti-War Committee (MN)

AFSCME Local 3800 (MN)

Al Awda Right to Return Coalition – Chicago Chapter\ \ Al Awda Right to Return Coalition – Omaha chapter

Bolivarian Circle, Cincinnati

Centro CSO (Los Angeles)

Coalition for Palestinian Rights (MN)

Colombia Action Network

Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador

Communities United Against Police Brutality (MN)

Freedom Road Socialist Organization

International Action Center