Commemorate SEVEN Years of War and Occupation in Iraq!

Take action in Boston, in your community and in the nation’s capitol!

March 19, 2010 marks the end of seven years of war and occupation in Iraq. After a year of Democratic control of the House, Senate and White House, the Obama Administration and Congress are wavering in their commitment to withdraw troops from Iraq. The Administration has escalated the war in Afghanistan and extended military operations into Pakistan.  Despite its lofty nuclear disarmament rhetoric, the Administration has asked for the largest nuclear weapons budget ever.

This is not what we worked for.  It is not what we bargained for.  It is not what we voted for.  But it is the reality of our world today.  So in honor of Howard Zinn and his unwavering commitment to action, United for Justice with Peace is calling on everyone to take action demanding an end to the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan during the 7th commemoration of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.  

Commemorate the Iraq War Through Action

• Travel to Washington DC for a week of protests to end the war culminating with  a mass mobilization A.N.S.W.E.R. march on Saturday, March 20. Also happening in D.C. will be Cindy Sheehan's Peace of the Action initiative, and on March 21 the immigration reform demonstration March for America.   See details and bus information.

• In Boston, join us at Park Street Station on the Boston Common on Saturday, March 20 at noon. The Committee for Peace and Human Rights, the Stop the Wars Coalition and United for Justice with Peace invite people opposed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, who can't be in Washington, to express solidarity with the march in Washington and call for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the siege of Gaza and the detention without charges of thousands of detainees in the phony "war on terror."

• In Natick, assemble at the Natick Common Bandstand at noon for a walk to the Natick Army Base where names of the dead will be read.

• In Salem, gather at Riley Plaza at 10am for a vigil.

• Organize or attend a protest, vigil, march or rally in your community.   Add it to our online calendar. 

• Call President Obama at the White House.  Read him the names of the people who have died this year in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Demand he bring the troops home now.  Comments: 202-456-1111; Switchboard: 202-456-1414

• Write a Letter to Your Editor about the cost of war and the impact on your community. 

• Participate in a Brown Bag Lunch Vigil on Wednesday, March 17 and on the third Wednesday of every month, to say "Healthcare, not Warfare!" in front of—and inside—Congressional offices in districts across Massachusetts.   

Every day another mother awaits a knock on her door, or a young person who needs a job decides to become a recruit.  Each day female soldiers must defend themselves from sexual assault and gay troops must keep it a secret. Each day young soldiers risk their lives for lies, oil and corporations in the name of freedom. Yet the Patriot Act has now been extended and Guantanamo is still open.  Our cities continue to deteriorate, the jobless rate is soaring and the changes in our climate can no longer be denied. Untold numbers of civilian Iraqis, Afghans and Pakistanis have lost their lives and continue to die as a result of these occupations and wars.

President Obama is not moving us in the right direction, so we must keep the pressure on-- whether it is a phone call, a protest, a march, a letter to the editor or making a donation. Whatever you do, do something.