No War on Iraq:
National March, January 18, 2003
Washington, D.C. and San Francisco
An informational e-mail from VoteNoWar.org, dated
12-20-02
[Posted here 12-21-02]
The Bush Administration is coming under increasing
pressure as anti-war sentiment grows and it is confronted by outspoken
U.S. opposition. Evidence of this is clear in the Los Angeles Times poll
released on Tuesday, December 17. 72% of the people surveyed, including
60% of Republicans surveyed, said the President has not provided
justification for starting a war against Iraq. When Bush first denounced
Iraq in his "Axis of Evil" speech at the State of the Union
address last January, the L.A. Times poll found support for military
action greater than 70%.
The L.A. poll numbers represent a dramatic shift in
opinion. It is the work of the anti-war movement that is making the
difference. Millions have participated in demonstrations, rallies and
teach-ins. Hundreds of thousands of people have voted at VoteNoWar.org
or signed petitions in their neighborhoods, worksites and schools. The
efforts of all sectors in the anti-war movement are making a difference.
Bush is rushing headlong towards war trying to outpace
the growing anti-war movement before it becomes an insurmountable
obstacle to his plans for war.
Make Your Plans
Now for the January 18, 2003 National March on Washington: No War on
Iraq!
Busses have been organized from over 150 cities
already for the massive January 18, 2003 National March on Washington
that will first rally on the National Mall between the White House and
the U.S. Capitol (west side), and then proceed from the U.S. Capitol to
the U.S. Navy Yard, a military installation in Southeast Washington DC
that will supply and service the war and at which weapons of mass
destruction are believed to be maintained. The submissions in the
People's Anti-War Referendum will be brought to Washington, D.C. for
this historic event, which coincides with the Martin Luther King, Jr.
anniversary.
The Voices of the People Who Oppose
this War
We are releasing now, in advance of the January 18
mass demonstrations in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, some of the
views and thoughts that voters submit when they Vote No to War in the
Peoples' Anti-War Referendum. Visit
the VoteNoWar.org web site now to see a scrolling view of some of
the thousands of comments reflecting the deep and passionate opposition
to the war the exists throughout the United States and around the globe.
These comments are a window into the hearts and minds of people across
the United States who oppose this war drive. People from all walks of
life, from every state, from rural and urban areas, from conservative
areas to traditionally progressive communities, have all voted against
the Bush Administration's war against Iraq. Stop by the VoteNoWar
web site and hear the voices of:
· A 91 year
old woman from Roseville, CA who sends her personal
message to George Bush of opposition to another Vietnam War
· A Gulf War
veteran from Havelock, NC with 15 years of U.S. Marine
Corps service who opposes another war for oil
· A 60 year
old retired school teacher from Geneva, OH who
dedicates her time to resisting the war
· A soldier
from Junction City, KS who wants peace so that his wife
and family can stop worrying for his life
· A fire
fighter from Albany, NY who wants the government to
fund healthcare, education, and protection of communities and not fund
this war
· A U.S.
Naval officer serving in Kanoehe, Hawaii who will not
re-enlist rather than participate in a war of aggression
· A high
school freshman from Baltimore, MD who was so moved by
the speeches from A.N.S.W.E.R.'s October 26th demonstration that he is
contacting friends and family about the Peoples' Anti-War Referendum
· A 53 year
old single mother from Cary, NC who wants jobs, not war
to be the focus of the executive branch
· A doctor
from Fountain Valley, CA who objects to imperialist war
· A single
mother from Safety Harbor, FL who worries for her 13
year old son's future
Too many politicians, the corporations and the mass
media have all worked to convey the false impression that the U.S.
speaks with one voice, that of George W. Bush. The VoteNoWar campaign
and the massive demonstrations organized by International A.N.S.W.E.R.
provide a high-visibility and international platform for the voices of
opposition to the war.
We are hearing countless stories from people who take
stacks of blank referendums to collect signatures in their communities
and are running out of the referendums in short order. Many of the
people reached by the VoteNoWar
Campaign are new to activism or have never even engaged in political
action or a demonstration before. As the Campaign brings people into
contact with others, including friends, neighbors and co-workers who
oppose the war, it defeats the media and government hype that there is
consensus for Bush's war drive.
A Voter from Plainfield, IL writes,
"I don't support Bush's war . . . I wish he would stop using
the term 'the American People' because we do NOT support him! We didn't
even vote for him!"
