Global Day Of Protest - 2nd Anniversary Iraq War

ACTION ALERT * UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
http://www.unitedforpeace.org | 212-868-5545
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SATURDAY, MARCH 19:
GLOBAL DAY OF PROTEST ON THE TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR
* End the War * Bring the Troops Home Now * Rebuild Our Communities *
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March 19-20 marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. bombing and invasion of Iraq. After all of the death and destruction, and with the Bush administration claiming a mandate to continue their war, there's a new urgency and a stronger determination within the global antiwar movement to bring the troops home now.

LOCAL ACTIONS NATIONWIDE

UFPJ calls on supporters of peace and justice in every corner of the country, in communities large and small, to organize local protests against the war on Saturday, March 19. These can take many forms: vigils, rallies, marches, nonviolent civil disobedience. We especially encourage creative efforts to put the spotlight on the institutions of militarism at home by organizing actions outside military bases or military recruitment offices. List your activities on the UFPJ website calendar at http://www.unitedforpeace.org/events (select "March 19" under Event Type).

On the first anniversary of the war, at least 319 cities and towns across the United States organized protests. This year there is the potential to organize even more demonstrations, and to bring more people than ever out into the streets. The Bush Administration will soon ask Congress to pump as much as $100 billion more into the war; March 19 is an opportunity to call for an end to this disaster, and to demand that the billions be allocated instead for rebuilding our communities at home and paying for the damage in Iraq.

MAJOR REGIONAL PROTEST IN FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.

UFPJ is also supporting a major regional demonstration in Fayetteville, North Carolina. We hope those of you within driving distance of Fayetteville will make this action your priority. Fayetteville is home to Fort Bragg – ground zero for the 82nd Airborne Division and many of the Army's elite units. Beyond Fort Bragg, North Carolina hosts four other of the nation's largest military bases, making the state one of the friendliest to the military-industrial complex.

Less well-known is the fact that Fayetteville is also home to a growing base of anti-war activists and organizations. They are military folks, veterans, families of active-duty soldiers and veterans, students, workers, housewives, clergy, educators, and all are part of a vibrant, and growing, statewide network. They stand firm in the knowledge that organizing in Fayetteville is a key to bringing the troops home from Iraq.

Military Families Speak Out (http://www.mfso.org/), Bring Them Home Now (http://www.bringthemhomenow.org), Iraq Veterans Against the War (http://www.ivaw.net), Veterans For Peace (http://www.veteransforpeace.org), Quaker House, Fayetteville Peace with Justice, the North Carolina Peace and Justice Coalition (http://www.ncpeacejustice.org), and the North Carolina Council of Churches (http://www.nccouncilofchurches.org) are spearheading the Fayetteville action. Please do all you can to be in Fayetteville this year; by actively building and participating in this demonstration, we have the opportunity to support the efforts of Southern organizers to build a Southern network, and a Southern movement, to replace war and occupation with justice and self-determination.

BE PART OF A GLOBAL ANTIWAR MOVEMENT

In addition to the many protests already being planned in the United States, people all around the world will be taking action on March 19 as well. Responding to a call from the European Social Forum's Assembly of Social Movements, European activists are organizing national mobilizations across Europe. Brussels will be the site of a central demonstration on the eve of a meeting of the European Council, where demonstrators will march against war, racism, and a corporate-dominated Europe. India's national Anti-War Assembly recently committed to major protests on the second anniversary of the war. And we anticipate that the World Social Forum will join this call when it meets later this month in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

GET OUT THE WORD

Circulate this email wide and far. UFPJ will soon have flyers, stickers, and other resources available to help you get out the word.

BEGIN PLANNING LOCAL MARCH 19th ACTIONS

Bring together local groups to plan March 19th actions in your community. Post your plans at http://www.unitedforpeace.org/events

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ACTION ALERT * UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
http://www.unitedforpeace.org | 212-868-5545

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