Support National Liberation Struggles and You'll Get Your Peace!

Last night, an important forum was held called "Where is the Peace Movement Going?" sponsored by the African People's Solidarity Committee. Representatives from Filipinos for Global Justice, the Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Barrio Defense Committee, Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist League, and the African People's Solidarity Committee participated in this discussion which featured Omali Yeshitela, Chairman of the African People's Socialist Party. Special guest, Conscientious Objector Stephen Funk gave a moving statement challenging people to take a stand, even if it is not the choice people around you would make.

The discussion was centered around the necessity for the national liberation struggles of oppressed peoples around the world to be at the forefront of the peace movement, which is often criticised for being too white. It was clear last night that there are significant numbers of people who will see that there can be no peace on the planet without national liberation for the world's oppressed peoples. Chairman Omali Yeshitela, leader and founder of the Uhuru Movement, said it best when he reminded everyone that the peace movement is well over 400 years old!

APSC wants to invite everyone to be a part of a peace movement that addresses, as the speakers did last night, the U.S. war on the indigenous and Mexican people right here, the U.S. terror against the people of the Philippines, the U.S.-funded terror that comes down on the people of Palestine and U.S. imperialism's
assault on Africa and African people inside U.S. borders. The so-called peace movement that has been able
to mobilize thousands of people over the last several months must not be able to censor the voices of Filipinos for Global Justice, the Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Barrio Defense Committee and Omali
Yeshitela, and all other leaders of national liberation struggles in their communities.

With the U.S. invasion of Iraq followed by attempts to re-colonize the country, it is imperative that this
definition of peace emerge into the larger public arena. As it stands, with an end to the bombing campaign
and a withdrawal of the spotlight on Iraq, the peace movement will shrink in numbers. We must not let that
happen by narrowing the scope of the peace movement to what makes it palatable to white liberals and
pacifists or those seeking "diversity" through cultural means.

We must get the message out that the war began in 1492 and that there can be no peace on a foundation of slavery and genocide! Peace will come as a consequence of oppressed peoples' struggles for national liberation and self-determination that we can and must support from the white community!

Help us get this message out this weekend at the Saturday, April 12th Anti-War rally! We need volunteers to help with outreach and fundraising from 9am to 6pm at the Civic Center and 9am to 6pm at Dolores Park.

Contact:
Wendy Syder
510-658-7619