Calling Educators and Healthcare Workers

CALLING EDUCATORS & HEALTHCARE WORKERS:
EDUCATION, COMMUNITY NEEDS & HEALTHCARE, NOT WARFARE

Dear Educators, Health Care Workers and allies,

We are teachers, heath care workers, students, parents, healthcare
recipients and peace and justice activists who work with Direct Action to
Stop the War. We are writing this letter to invite you to join us in
participate in planning a creative protest and nonviolent direct action on
Friday March 19 in San Francisco.

Cuts to health care and education are destroying our communities so that
US military spending can increase astronomically to fund an unjust war in
Iraq. Basic health care needs are not being met, many people who have
healthcare benefits are having them slashed (like the striking grocery
workers in Southern California) while health care providers must work in
deteriorating conditions. Schools are severely under-funded, class sizes
are continually rising as teachers are fired, and money for books and
school supplies has nearly evaporated. Meanwhile, our military budget is
higher than it ever has been.

We refuse to accept this attack on basic human needs and rights at home
and abroad. In response to these cuts we are planning a creative protest
and nonviolent direct action that will protest the war and draw clear
connections to the blows education and health care have taken here at
home.

We intend to reframe the war and occupation in Iraq and taking of
resources from our healthcare, education and community needs as
inseparable parts of the Bush Administration to create a global "empire."
Educators and healthcare workers can play a unique role in connecting this
war to cuts to human needs, and can be a compelling voice for fundamental
change.

This action will take place on March 19th, 2004 in San Francisco, the eve
of the March 20 Global Day of Action Against War and Occupation (locally
there will be an 11am march assembling at Dolores Park, SF). Educators
and health care workers are currently involved in this planning group and
we would like to invite more educators and health care workers to come to
the planning meetings and participate in shaping the March 19th action. We
hope to bring out as many people who are directly affected by the war as
possible.

If you know a teacher or health care provider who might be interested in
attending the planning meeting for this action or who would like to share
their ideas please come to our next meeting (contact David
dsolnit [at] riseup.net/510 967-7377 if you have questions)

EDUCATION & HEALTHCARE, NOT WARFARE MEETING
February 22, 2004 at 1pm
Mama Buzz Cafe
2318 Telegraph Ave. @ 23rd St, Oakland
(4 blocks from 19th St BART)

Sincerely,

Amanda Green, High School Teacher
for the March 19 Organizing Group
Direct Action to Stop the War