March 13 Iraq War Protest marks 7th Anniversary of the US Occupation

Iraq War Protest
Saturday March 13, 2010
Noon to 3 p.m.
Fulton & Division, Downtown Grand Rapids

March 2010 marks the seventh year of US occupation and brutalization in Iraq. While the names of the US offensive have changed to protect the guilty (media relations experts have dubbed the next phase of the Iraqi occupation “New Dawn” ) the US funded violence remains the same.

The group of local citizens organizing the protest made this statement:

We are coming up on another anniversary of the illegal US invasion of Iraq, and we are seeing now more clearly than ever that the Democratic Party has been little more than a redecorating party for US imperialism and corporate domination. The war(s) raging on in the Middle East are unjust, unwarranted, and unacceptable, and they are sucking money and power from the common people at a disgusting rate. The resources funding this despicable show of capitalist imperialism could totally revolutionize the socioeconomic landscape of the US and of the world if redirected properly.

But we’ve seen time and time again that those in charge will not willingly let go of those resources for the good of the people. The corporate interests manipulating this war will continue to destroy for profit as long as the people continue to play their games and buy into their lies. Electoral politics, lobbying, and passive spectator culture have led us deeper and deeper into war and devastation.

But radical organizing, consciousness-raising, and direct action give us hope for change. Not the “hope” and “change” so perversely and cleverly marketed to us in the most recent presidential election, but something truly different. People–not corporations, not governments, not even apparently independent “grassroots” political bids for power–can make the difference between a world of destruction and oppression and one of trust and mutual aid.

Meet at the park at the corner of Division and Fulton in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 13. Bring banners, signs, flags, puppets, art, street theater performances, leaflets, fliers, chalk, paint, and anything else beautiful and eye-catching. Also, bring drums, buckets, sticks, whistles, instruments, megaphones, boom-boxes, and other tools for making huge amounts of noise. Most importantly, bring friends.

Iraqis and Afghan civilians and American troops are dying—and American taxpayers are watching their public schools and universities, social assistance programs and cities slash budgets and reduce services.  To date, the US has spent nearly $966 billion dollars on the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan—with another $150 billion slated for military operations in 2011. Come downtown March 13 and make your voice heard.

Get the US out of Iraq!

Get the US out of Afghanistan!