|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Peace |
|
Congress Caves, Activists Rise |
Current rating: 0 |
by Danielle Chynoweth
Email: urbanaimc (nospam) yahoo.com (verified) |
13 Oct 2002
|
|
As President Bush stands poised to sign the resolution, passed by Congress last week, to allow preemptive attacks against Iraq, the voices against war are growing larger and louder. (This is a script for Monday's IMC Radio News headline story) |
As President Bush stands poised to sign the resolution, passed by Congress last week, to allow preemptive attacks against Iraq, the voices against war are growing larger and louder.
Despite the flood of phone calls from Americans across the country stating opposition to a preemptive strike against Iraq, the U.S. Congress House of Representatives voted 296 to 133 in favor of House Resolution 114 giving Bush war powers. The Senate later voted 77 to 23 to allow Bush to wage preemptive war on Iraq. Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle pressed the Democrats to stand behind Bush's push for war. On Friday, Illinois Democratic Senator, Dick Durbin, voted against the resolution. A member of his staff told an indymedia reporter that his office had received calls against the resolution by a margin of 8 to 1. Yet, every Illinois Republican member of the House plus Democrats Rod Blagojevich and Dave Phelps lined up behind Bush.
President Bush may now go to war even if Iraq complies with U.N. weapons inspections. He may wage war indefinitely without coming back to Congress for approval.
Globally the anger at American unilateralism is growing. On the coattails of last week which saw 1.5 million marching in against war in the streets of Italy, a half million marching in London, and 1100 arrested outside a U.S. airforce base in Belgium, this recent resolution may add fuel to the fire of international opposition to war.
Nationally, some lawmakers, such as Republican Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia and Democrat Barbara Lee from California continue to argue that the resolution is unconstitutional. Their opposition is matched with voices from the street. Since the vote we have seen demonstrations across the country, including sit-ins in local congressional offices. Shortly after Congress gave Bush war powers, hundreds of demonstrators blockaded and shut down the federal building in downtown San Francisco. Forty-six were arrested as riot police, federal employees, and even a news cameraman attacked protestors doing nonviolent civil disobedience at the entrance to the building.
In Portland, activists altered a billboard which said "God Bless America" so that it read "Bush's Godless America."
On Saturday over 300 D.C. locals picked the White House in an anti-war demonstration organized by Black Voices for Peace. Supported by indigenous organizers from across the United States, speakers from Black Voices for Peace highlighted the racism visible in current domestic and foreign policy when put in the context of history.
Also on Saturday here in Champaign-Urbana, 60 demonstrators lined North Prospect Avenue in the heart of Champaign's shopping district to oppose war against Iraq. On two occasions a group of passersby joined in the protest.
Nancy Yagel, a mother of two joined the anti-war demonstration with her two sons, Langston and Marshall.
Several Muslim students also decided to join the rally during their 30 minute wait for a seat at Red Lobster. Holding the beeper that announces the availability of a booth, two of the students, one of whom is studying to be a teacher, picked up signs and joined the picket.
The protest was organized by AWARE - the Anti-war Anti-racism Effort. They plan to protest again this coming Saturday from 2-4 OM on North Prospect. AWARE, along with Student Peace Action is also planning on joining national demonstrations. Over 30 community members have already reserved their seats in vans headed for anti-war protests in Washington D.C. Saturday, October 26th.
Regional protests will continue leading up to the national day of action in D.C. October 26th. Coming up this Tuesday in nearby Chicago, protestors will attempt to disrupt British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's evening speech. Mr. Straw recently traveled to Arab nations to shore up support for attacking Iraq. Shaw also led the push to increase British arms sales this year. More than two thirds of British arms are sold to governments with deplorable human rights records, the protests planners say.
As the nation faces a potential war with Iraq, delegations are being sent to Iraq to promote peace and accurate reporting. Voices in the Wilderness has sent a Peace Team to Iraq to take up residence before, during, and after a potential attack. According to their website, letters from the team will begin to be posted today at iraqpeaceteam.org. Similarly, a group of independent journalists have taken up residence in Baghdad and are posting reports from the ground to iraqjournal.org. In their most recent report, they entered a factory to investigate claims that it is producing chemical weapons. |
