For Immediate Release
Media Advisory
Event: Saturday March 18 Protest
Against the 3rd Anniversary of
the Invasion and Occupation of
Iraq
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
voiceofmecawi@comcast.net
URL: http://www.mecawi.org
Detroit to Join Over 700 Cities in Mass Demonstrations Against the Continued Occupation of Iraq on March 18
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.
At the same time the civil liberties and civil rights of people within the United States is 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 insane war and occupation.
Please join us on March 18 to make a statement for peace and social justice in our lifetime.
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