Peace Movement

Will Today's World Wide Peace

Protests Expand A Movement

By Chaparral Fireland

Massive demonstrations - protests, marches and rallies - which took place throughout the US and worldwide on January 18 (International Day of Protest) and January 19 and 20 (Martin Luther King Day) were watershed events in the post 9-11 peace movement. Estimated in the Washington DC march were 200,000. 100,000 in San Francisco and at least that many in other cities around the world. Jan. 11 in LA saw a crowd of over 20,000.

A brief history

Where does the momentum come from which sparks what is rapidly growing into a movement which, at its present rate, could rival the anti-Vietnam war movement in appeal and participation before long? Does it arise purely from the events of September 11, 2001? In my opinion, the roots of this phase of public consciousness, conscience and outrage began in Seattle, 1999, when people around the globe showed up for the first of many large demonstrations against the World Trade Organization, recognizing the danger from the growing hegemony of the first world and the evils which masquerade as "free trade". It is also an extension of the sentiments opposing Operation Desert Storm in 1991 (AKA The Gulf War). And the momentum is, of course, a result and the sum total of a gradual awakening that war solves nothing, that it's effects are intolerable.

The anti-war movement during the Gulf war fell short of what protestors have so far manifested in 2002 and this year, according to Kim Kozlowski writing in the Detroit Press on January 23. According to the same article, the current protest does not, as mentioned, quite measure up to the numbers and mobilization during Vietnam, but that was many years into a long, costly and bloody war. In the present mobilization, citizens are flooding the streets of their nations demanding there be no invasion of Iraq before a shot has even been fired. Koslowski asks: "Will the movement grow strong enough to influence American policy?"

Even during the popular invasion of Afghanistan following 9-11 when Bush's approval rating was high, anti-war protestors took to the streets of the Capital and other large cities.

Why do we do it?

"The most important thing politically for us [to do] is to shatter the false myth of consensus," said Brian Becker, spokesperson for ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), according to a January 13 article in the Washington Post. (The same quote was also attributed to Gloria LaRiva, another ANSWER spokesperson, in another article.) Becker (and LaRiva) were referring to the popular delusion that other world powers unanimously support a US invasion of Iraq.

Probably the principle motivation for protesting was opposition to that invasion. Many middle aged and older people admitted to coming out for the first time, such as the retired community college counselor in San Francisco, quoted in the Chronicle: "Saddam is evil, but that is not a good enough reason for a war," she said.

A kissing cousin to that is the belief that the invasion is driven by US intention to control world oil reserves, and that all talk about Saddam's "evil" or the imperative of restoring democracy to the region are simply smokescreens for yet another commodity driven war.

In the US many were protesting for fear that American lives would be lost. Others feared loss of social services in the budgetary sleights of hand required to support a war. "I refuse to trade my social security for your bombs," one sign read.

Worldwide protestors expressed fear of nuclear proliferation, a well founded fear, as the Bush regime has stated its willingness to employ nuclear weapons in the coming wars. Others are deeply concerned that a Bush invasion without the support of the world community could trigger more terrorist attacks at home.

Many express fear and distrust of Bush and his administration, don't believe we are being told everything. Some even expressed concern for this administration's motives and sanity.

People marched who disclosed that they are not, strictly speaking, "anti war," but believe we can get rid of Saddam without one. Or are simply opposed to unilateralism.

Ending racism and demanding that Mumia Abu Jamal be freed or given a new trial were pervasive themes in the peace marches which fell under the MLK Day umbrella, interlocking seamlessly with anti-war concerns for oppressed people worldwide.

There was a large and vocal pro-Palestine element, including many US and global Jews and Israeli "Refuseniks." One sign said "Another Jewish Lesbian Mom for Peace in the Middle East."

Labor swelled the ranks in all events with now over 75 unions taking official positions against the war. Representing the United Front of Labor, AFSCME 1707, Brenda Stokely said, "We are here to stop this war. Justice for the workplace is for all the oppressed throughout the world. We must return to our homes and make people there understand not to be silent about wars by this imperialist government. Blacks and poor whites will fight the war and return in body bags. The government must be for the people." Another labor representative, Fred Mason, president of Maryland and Washington, DC, AFL-CIO, continued: "Drown out the drums of war. Workers want jobs in a peaceful economy, not war and destruction. We want peace and security for our children and our future. We must stop war against oppressed peoples."

And there were the 9-11 survivors who believe that a war profanes their dead. "Our Grief Is Not a Cry for War!" signs abounded. One newly formed organization "having trouble making a connection between an attack on Iraq and the war on terror," according Washington Post writer Mary McGrory, is the "September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows". McGrory notes an MLK quote: "Wars are a poor choice for carving out peaceful tomorrows," adding that the group's members "feel they are speaking for their beloved dead." A story of redemption comes out of the mobilization. Valerie Lucznikowska carried a sign with a picture of her nephew who was killed as he fled the exploding towers. It said "Not in His Name." "9-11 families can't be healed by seeing other people's families being destroyed," she said. According to McGrory, Lucznikowska met another woman through the Internet whose husband was killed on 9-11, and had since lost interest in life. She talked her into attending the march. "For the first time I felt better," the widow said. "I think my husband was right there with me. I felt as though I were in a river of peaceful people."

Police have showed restraint and arrests have been few. Police spokespersons have admitted that the numbers are "impressive," according to author William Rivers Pitt.

What can we infer?

People are coming out, making long trips by plane, bus and automobile, sacrificing pay and risking health and life in much more severe economic times than during Vietnam or even the Gulf War. They are enduring sub-freezing temperatures for the duration of marches and rallies, rushing in with the knowledge that recent protests have been aggressively subdued by tear gas and other toxic chemical agents. That D2K demonstrators in L.A. were attacked by mounted police swinging batons. That sleeping organizers were severely beaten in their sleep by police in Genoa.

European nations are balking on their support for the invasion. British support is losing its majority, according to foreign correspondent Tom Hundley. The Labour Party is pressuring PM Tony Blair to withdraw support.

"We will not take part in a military intervention in Iraq, and that is exactly how our voting behavior will be in all international bodies," said German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder, according to the same article. A German polling group shows 76% of the population opposed to a war with Iraq even if it had UN backing.

France is pledging to use its Security Council seat to influence US military restraint.

Hundley also reports that an Italian poll shows 61% of Italians oppose the war and only 30% favor it.

Recent polls put US opposition to the war right around 62% while Bush's approval rating steadily declines. Most Americans now call for more thorough inspections in Baghdad and would not support an invasion without a second UN resolution. Can we not infer that the vocal and visible passions of those who take to the streets have influenced these changing trends?

Most significantly, International Day of Protest continues. Next stop, February 15-21. .