It's interesting that ANSWER hasn't yet stepped on the toes of DC activists who are organizing a rally and concert the night of the State of the Union speech, on the Mall. Perhaps next week they'll jump on that too.
It is pretty clear in this that they are gunning for the February 15th protest in New York City, which is being organized by United for Peace. My NYC activist sources tell me that WWP spies have been notably absent from activist meetings there recently. If the WWP follows form, the planning groups can expect quiet visits from WWP quislings, followed by a big appearance by Brian Becker himself.
Some things never change...
Chuck0
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: A.N.S.W.E.R. ACTION PLAN: What's Next for Anti-War Movement Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 12:47:18 -0800 (PST) From: "International A.N.S.W.E.R." <nowardc at yahoo.com> To: dc at internationalanswer.org
A.N.S.W.E.R. ACTION PLAN: What's Next for the Anti-War Movement
Before we discuss the A.N.S.W.E.R. Action Plan, we are pleased to announce that massive pressure on the West Coast has forced the San Francisco police to issue a revision of their crowed estimate. Though they originally gave a ridiculously low estimate of 50,000, they have now tripled their count to 150,000. Organizers estimate that the crowed reached 200,000. The major anti-war demonstrations called by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, on October 26 and January 18, have been confronted by biased reporting and police underestimates of crowd sizes. This admission of the size of the protest is a victory for the anti-war movement. As of yet, crowd estimates made by the authorities and the media have not been revised to reflect the fact that 500,000 people marched in Washington DC on January 18.
The rising tide of the anti-war movement cannot be ignored. Monday's New York Times editorial signifies that a growing section of the political establishment fears the dynamic rise of the U.S. anti-war movement, and is deeply concerned that Bush's rush towards war will have a destabilizing impact on the political system as a whole.
The race towards war is not a response to a military situation. On the contrary, it is purely political. It is not that the purported danger posted by Iraq is growing more grave and more imminent with each passing day. What is growing everyday is a massive anti-war movement at home and abroad. Even if all the military preparations are not complete, the Bush administration is likely to begin the war sooner rather than later in order to preempt the rising tide of anti-war sentiment.
Bush is in a race for time. We are in a race for time as well. Now is the time for the movement to intensify activity at the local and regional level as part of worldwide anti-war movement.
A.N.S.W.E.R. ACTION PLAN: 1) January 29 protests the day after Bush's State of the Union address 2) February 15 mass mobilization in New York City and thousands of other cities around the world as part of the February 13-21 Week of Resistance
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JANUARY 29 BUSH'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS: Coordinated day after protests
Bush's State of the Union address will be a "war speech." The speech has one function: to prepare the population for war. That night, Bush will dominate the air waves and the media coverage. The very next day, however, it is crucial that people demonstrate in cities and towns throughout the United States in coordinated actions to show that the people reject Bush's State of the Union message.
In New York City, there will be a demonstration beginning at 5 pm on January 29 in Times Square. Possible locations for rallies include the Federal Building, other federal government facilities, or in a crowded central shopping area (actions can be held during the day or in the evening). High schools and college activists should also consider actions at their school on January 29. Please keep the A.N.S.W.E.R. informed of activities in your area so that they can be posted on the web site. Email info at internationalanswer.org with details.
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On January 18, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition called for the U.S. movement to support the call issued from the European movement for mass anti-war demonstrations on February 15. There will be demonstrations in thousands of cities across the country and around the world on February 15. A.N.S.W.E.R. joins with UFPJ and hundreds of other organizations who will be mobilizing for the NYC action. The February 15 protest will be part of the Week of Anti-War Resistance from February 13 to February 21.
WEEK OF ANTI-WAR RESISTANCE FEBRUARY 13 - 21
FEBRUARY 13: Teach-ins, forums, and youth and student action on the 12th anniversary of the deliberate destruction of the Amariyah Bomb Shelter. On this day in 1991, the U.S. unleashed an unprecedented massive assault, a pinpoint attack by two precision missiles launched from a stealth bomber against an air raid shelter. Hundreds and hundreds of young people, mainly children, and some of their mothers, were incinerated in this calculated effort to terrorize the Iraqi people in the Gulf War.
FEBRUARY 14: New York City Teach-in from 9 am to 4 pm on Building an anti-war movement that connects the struggle against war on Iraq with the fight for social and economic justice and civil rights at home, followed by an Indoor Rally from 7 to 10 pm on Linking the struggle against corporate globalization, war, militarism and racism.
FEBRUARY 15: Stop the War through mass resistance and protest in New York City and around the world. Support self-determination for the people of the Middle East! The European movement, which initiated the call for this day of actions, has sent requests to U.S. peace groups, including A.N.S.W.E.R., to call for actions in the United States. United for Peace has initiated a mass mobilization in New York City, which we support, and we also encourage and support regional and local actions in solidarity with actions that day in Europe and around the world.
FEBRUARY 16- 20: Local picket lines, rallies, teach-ins, collection of signatures in the People's Anti-War Referendum (www.VoteNoWar.org)
FEBRUARY 21: Take to the streets to fight war and racism on the anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X. Coordinated Day of Resistance, including student anti-war walk-outs from hundreds of high schools and colleges, and other acts of non-compliance. Youth and students have marked this important anniversary with militant protests on a range of issues for the last thirty-five years. Malcolm X embodies the spirit of struggle against militarism and the racist establishment. Honor his life and legacy the right way: Resist! Youth and Student A.N.S.W.E.R. will be providing leaflets, posters, stickers and other resources for the February 21 actions.
DOWNLOAD FLYERS at http://www.internationalanswer.org/pdf/feb15.pdf (an updated flyer will be available soon)
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ORGANIZING IN YOUR COMMUNITY, fill out the "Week of Resistance" organizing form at: http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/f15/index.html#orgform (you may have to scroll down to find form)
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.InternationalANSWER.org http://www.VoteNoWar.org dc at internationalanswer.org New York 212-633-6646 Washington 202-544-3389 Los Angeles 213-487-2368 San Francisco 415-821-6545
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