Posted by Tony from 66-42-63-45.lsan.dial.netzero.com (66.42.63.45) on Friday, December 20, 2002 at 9:52AM :
VoteNoWar.org Publishes The Voices of the Majority Who Oppose Bush's War Against Iraq;
No War on Iraq: National March, January 18, 2003
Washington, D.C. and San Francisco
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!"
We Need Your Help
We are an all volunteer coalition, and we need your help to sustain this important campaign and to build for the January 18th mass demonstrations in Washington, D.C.
If you can help with a donation, then please donate. If you can come to the January 18, 2003 National March on Washington or joint action in San Francisco please come. If you can go to the demonstration and make a generous financial contribution, then do both.
This war can be stopped by a peoples' movement, just as grassroots democracy was a critical force in stopping the Vietnam War and advancing the civil rights struggles of that same period.
As you make your year-end contributions, please consider the VoteNoWar campaign and make a donation to support the anti-war movement. You can make a tax deductible donation online by clicking here, or by mail today .
-- Tony
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