March 18: Protest the Escalation of the Iraq War on 3rd Anniversary of Invasion

20050910Detroit-04
Originally uploaded by jongela4peace.

For Immediate Release

Media Advisory

Event: Saturday March 18 Protest Against the 3rd Anniversary of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq
and the New Aerial Bombing Campaigns Around Sammara
Location: Gather at 'Spirit of Detroit', 4:30 p.m., Woodward at Jefferson, Outside Coleman A. Young
Municipal Center March Down Woodward to the Central United Methodist Church, 5:30 p.m. Cultural Rally Against War, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Second Floor Central United Methodist Church
Contact: Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice
Phone: (313) 680-5508
e-mail:voiceofmecawi@comcast.net
URL: http://www.mecawi.org

Bush Administration Escalates War on 3rd Anniversary: Protest the Occupation of Iraq March 18 in Detroit

March 18-19 will be marked by hundreds of marches, vigils, rallies and other activities to commemorate the unfortunate third anniversary of the United States invasion and occupation of Iraq.

The Iraq war was a totally unnecessary adventure by the Bush administration. The false claims of weapons of mass destruction stockpiles and an imminent threat against American interests were utilized through the mass media to justify an illegal military campaign which has resulted in the deaths of over 2,300 U.S. troops and the wounding of over 20,000 others.

Moreover, the war has caused the deaths of over 100,000 Iraqi civilians, the destruction of the infrastructure of the country and the growth of a broad-based resistance movement to the occupation by the American military and its allies.

On this third anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, the Bush administration has sent more troops to the country along with initiating a massive new bombing campaign around Samarra. The escalation of the war at this point is clearly an act of further desperation by the Government. These military actions can only lead to the deaths of more civilians and the continued alienation of American troops from the local population.

At the same time the civil liberties and civil rights of people within the United States are constantly eroding. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of the Katrina disaster due to the Bush administration policies. Domestic spying by intelligence agencies and the round-up of hundreds of Muslims inside the country and at Guantanamo Bay has further alienated world public opinion against U.S. intentions and policies.

In addition, the economic crisis has deepened while oil companies enjoy windfall profits. For cities like Detroit where $429 million of city taxes went for the Iraq war in 2004, the government has no program to assist the public sectors and the industries that are laying off thousands of workers.

The amount of city taxes going to support the war is twice the budget deficit. We need that money right here for public school funding, job training and placement for the unemployed, affordable housing and health care, improved and expanded shelters for the homeless, reliable public transit and recreation programs for our youth.

Bush's budget has cut over 150 important social programs while the Pentagon budget has been increased substantially. This insanity has got to stop. Only the power of the people mobilized can bring an end to this war of aggression and occupation.

Please join us on March 18 to make a statement for peace and social justice in our lifetime.