March 18 Global Day of Action — San Francisco

From Iraq to New Orleans

Fund People's Needs - Not War and Occupation

As the war and occupation of Iraq becomes an increasing human disaster, now is the time to say no to the U.S. war drive.  On the 3rd anniversary of shock and awe, we will be gathering at 11am at the Civic Center for an opening rally followed by a march through downtown and then returning to the Civic Center for a closing rally.

The March 18 weekend is the 3rd anniversary of the criminal U.S. "shock and awe" invasion of Iraq, in which more than 100,000 Iraqis and 2,200 U.S. troops have died. The U.S. continues to occupy Iraq at great cost to Iraqis and people in the U.S. Much of Iraq—devastated by the U.S.-led occupation and, before that, more than a decade of genocidal sanctions—lacks running water and electricity. Despite being bogged down in Iraq, the warmakers in Washington are pushing ahead with their agenda of regime change in Syria, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and elsewhere. The situation is difficult for many working and poor people in the U.S. as well. More than $200 million is spent to wage war on Iraq each day. That money should be directed to fund people's needs, like health care, housing, education, job creation, relief for hurricane victims and more. Only a fraction of the war budget for one day could solve the current Medicare prescription drug crisis.

Despite growing opposition, the Bush administration is also trying to widen its assaults on labor, immigrants' rights, and civil liberties. In an attempt to silence anti-war activists and create a general climate of fear, the Pentagon and NSA have been spying on innocent people. We can't let the warmongers in the White House and Congress and their corporate backers silence our voices of conscience.

Now is the time to speak out loudly against imperialist war and repressive, racist policies at home. We have the momentum. The political climate and popular opinion in the U.S. has turned dramatically against the war. The Bush administration is on the defensive. A new poll shows that more than 52% of Americans believe that Bush should be impeached. Let's channel the popular outrage against Bush and the war into a powerful people's movement for peace and social justice.

 Volunteers needed! Call 821-6545

come to the ANSWER organizing meetings Tuesdays, 7pm

2489 Mission, San Francisco, CA (near 24th St. BART)

 photo credit: Peter Maiden