This winter, a group of Bay Area activists re-started Direct Action to Stop the War (DASW), with an eye towards two actions to protest the anniversary of the US-led war and occupation of Iraq. DASW is seeking more creativity, energy, experience, and connections to help pull off this year's events, which will focus attention on the prominent role played by war-profiteering corporations in the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

Two "mass direct actions" were planned to protest the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. For March 19th, 2008 DASW is organizing a day of decentralized, multiple-target direct action against government offices and war profiteers in downtown San Francisco. Direct Action Radio will be on 102.5 and streamed over Indybay. People will be able to call in reports from the street. Read more about Communications DASW has a list of San Francisco offices of federal agencies, corporations with military contracts or contracts in Iraq, politicians who have failed to stop the war, and foreign embassies of countries linked to the war in Iraq on its website. Legal support information

An action spokescouncil for the March 19th action was held on the evening of March 17th, in San Francisco. DASW asked for those who plan to participate on March 19th to get together with a group of friends, and plan a direct action against a government or corporate office on March 19th, and to communicate aspects of their plans with DASW. Media advisory with list of public actions For those who are not able to plan in advance, snake marches in support of the actions will be leaving Market & Sansome throughout the day, starting at 7:30am. Several direct action and legal trainings, as well as benefit events, were held in the weeks prior to the 19th.

On March 15th, DASW, along with community organizations, took direct action against the Chevron refinery in Richmond. Reports Chevron refines over a million barrels of Iraqi oil in Richmond each month, and actively lobbies for the privatization of Iraq's oil fields so companies like Chevron can seize control of them.

Direct Action to Stop the War | Ruckus Society's training resources | DASW Legal | People Power in Ohio Stopped A War In Iraq Ten Years Ago. That Same Power Can Get the US Out Of Iraq Now. by Bill Simpich