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Belafonte calls war for "a few, sick, powerful people" at Oakland rally

by Camille Sauvé
Approximately 10,000 marched in Oakland on Saturday to say no to war. Fiery speeches by Harry Belafonte excite the crowd.
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4/5/03

OAKLAND, CA -- "Stop War on Iraq, Stop War on Us" was the repeated message at this Saturday’s anti-war march and rally which saw up to 10,000 people on the streets of Oakland.

The colorful crowd of union members, teachers, physicians, artists, school kids, moms, dads and random activists displayed the broad spectrum of today’s anti-war movement.

Marchers drummed and hummed and cheered and sneered at various stages of the march as they demanded an end to the war.

Gathering for the 1:30 rally at the Frank Ogawa Plaza, protesters got to hear an collection of individuals from various local peace and justice groups. Speaker after speaker spoke of the way the Iraq war is not only morally wrong but also how it is a crime against the American people, linking how war takes away money from housing, education and healthcare as well as strips citizens of their rights.

Coming on to stage with the hip hop national anthem "Fight the Power" and a boisterous applause Congresswoman Barbara Lee praised Oakland and the East Bay for being at the forefront of progressive movements.

"The East Bay continues to be the heart and soul for peace and justice in our community and around the world and we come together today to insist that our country live up to the ideals of freedom and justice for all people," said Lee.

Lee continued with criticism of the administration: "The people in the White House say that we need this war for national security, however, we say healthcare for the 40 million uninsured is national security, affordable housing is national security and education is national security. We cannot waste our resources on this war, a war that will do nothing to secure our country. "

Keynote speaker Harry Belafonte vehemently attacked the Bush administration and the Democrats who are endorsing the war, specifically singling out Nancy Pelosi for her vote on a recent resolution commending the President and the war effort, "Pelosi must stand up for justice. We stand at the forefront of the movement to take back America. We will no longer accept compromise in the face of truth. This war was for the vested interest of a few sick, powerful people in this country," said Belafonte.

Taking on the tone of Michael Moore’s Academy Award acceptance speech, Belafonte attacked the rational for this war, "This war is being waged on false premises of democracy" and called for Americans to "denounce tyranny. It is our right and our duty. No longer will America stand for the absence of truth for politics."

The march’s organizer, April 5th Coalition for Peace and Justice, is an ad hoc coalition of groups representing labor, community, peace, civil rights and students. The group was called together by the Peoples NonViolent Response Coalition, an organization that put on the large event in Oct. 2001 celebrating Rep. Barbara Lee's lone vote opposing giving power to the president to bomb Afghanistan.
§US tax dollars funding war
by Camille Sauvé
ustaxdollars.jpg
§Mourning Mothers
by Camille Sauvé
mourning_mothers.jpgd50891.jpg
"Mourning Mothers" want to show the human face of war.and what's happening to children around the world.
§"White Supremacy" by Refa
by Camille Sauvé
white_supremacy.jpg
A recurring theme at the march: "It's a racist war"
§The Stolen Lives Wall
by Camille Sauvé
wall.jpg
The Stolen Lives Wall commemorates those killed by the police, border patrol, and prison guards
§Disappeared in America
by Camille Sauvé
spark.jpgj50891.jpg
Don Spark holds a blue triangle to call attention to the disappearances of Middle Eastern, Arab and South East Asian men in America and elsewhere.
§Wake Up America
by Camille Sauvé
wake_up.jpg
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Mon, Apr 7, 2003 2:42PM
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