Resist the War Vote!

On day of war vote, Bay Area residents reclaim democracy, shut down federal
building

In a powerful protest of war, Bay Area residents plan to take to the streets
on the day of the first Congressional vote that could grant George W. Bush
authority to invade Iraq. At 4:30 PM on the day of the House or Senate vote
(most likely Thursday, October 10), concerned Bay Area residents will
converge at Montgomery and Market Streets in downtown San Francisco and then
march to the federal building on Golden Gate Avenue in Civic Center, where
they plan to surround the building and engage in "unprecedented outbreaks of
democracy."

"A government that does not reflect the will of the people is illegitimate,"
said Starhawk, one of the protest organizers, "Our U.S. representatives have
been getting calls 10 to 1000 to one opposing the war, yet they have ignored
our voices. We intend to fill the streets with our outraged voices now."

Mary Bull of Women's Pre-emptive Strike for Peace said that the protestors,
which represent a broad coalition of Bay Area groups and concerned
residents, plan a night-long vigil at the federal building that will include
drumming, dancing, People's Assemblies, skills sharing, direct action
trainings, and rites of exorcism and healing to bring Liberty back from the
dead, "and whatever else we can think of or get away with." Bull added that
the activities also include a call for non-violent civil disobedience.

Kristi Laughlin of Global Exchange, a Bay Area human rights organization,
stated, "Congress is poised to authorize a war that will kill thousands of
civilians, cost taxpayers billions, lose the friendship of our allies, and
destabilize the Middle East, increasing the threat of terrorism. The power
is ours if we take it. We must stop this war and take back democracy."