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ANSWERS (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) hemsida The political impact of Saturday's massive anti-war
demonstrations organized by International A.N.S.W.E.R. can already be seen.
Today's New York Times editorial, "A Stirring in the Nation," (see below)
reflects that the anti-war movement represents millions of people in the United
States and cannot be discounted. The movement has shattered the myth -- conjured
by politicians; by the media, who have dutifully echoed Bush's calls for war;
and by those who profit from war -- that there is a consensus of support in the
United States for Bush's war of aggression against Iraq. Now, even the New York Times, which has an editorial
policy of support for the Bush Administration's goals in Iraq, cannot deny the
breadth and strength of the movement that you and so many thousands have built. Today's NYT editorial signifies that a growing section
of the political establishment fears the dynamic rise of the U.S. anti-war
movement, and is deeply concerned that Bush's rush towards war will have a
destabilizing impact on the political system as a whole. The editorial also reflects what we have said all along:
it is the opposition of the people of the United States and the world that
constitutes the single biggest obstacle to the Bush Administration as it rushes
towards war. The rising tide of the anti-war movement cannot be
ignored. Half a million people braved the coldest weather of the year in a march
in Washington, D.C. Over 200,000 demonstrated at the A.N.S.W.E.R. demonstration
in San Francisco, and large crowds gathered in local January 18 actions in
cities including more than 20,000 in Portland, 5,000 in Tucson, 4,000 in
Albuquerque, and in many other cities. Hundreds of thousands more joined
demonstrations in over 30 countries. Now is the time for the movement to intensify activity
at the local and regional level as part of worldwide anti-war movement. On
January 18, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition called for a nationally coordinated day
of local protests on Wednesday, January 29, the day following Bush's
state-of-the-union address, which is likely to be a 'war speech.' On January 18, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition called for
the U.S. movement to support the call issued from the European movement for mass
anti-war demonstrations on February 15. There will be demonstrations in
thousands of cities across the country and around the world on February 15.
A.N.S.W.E.R. joins with UFPJ and hundreds of other organizations who will be
mobilizing for the NYC action. The February 15 protest will be part of the Week
of Anti-War Resistance from February 13 to February 21 (go to We need your help to keep this movement strong as we
build on the accomplishments of January 18. The A.N.S.W.E.R. coalition relies on
the generous donations of individuals like you to sustain its campaigns. At this
critical moment, we ask that you contribute what you can to keep the momentum
that we have all build together. We are making a difference. You can make
tax-deductible online donations to International A.N.S.W.E.R. at ********************
TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL A largely missing ingredient in the nascent debate
about invading Iraq showed up on the streets of major cities over the weekend as
crowds of peaceable protesters marched in a demand to be heard. They represented
what appears to be a large segment of the American public that remains
unconvinced that the Iraqi threat warrants the use of military force at this
juncture. Denouncing the war plan as an administration idée fixe
that will undermine America's standing in the world, stir unrest in the Mideast
and damage the American economy, the protesters in Washington massed on Saturday
for what police described as the largest antiwar rally at the Capitol since the
Vietnam era. It was impressive for the obvious mainstream roots of the marchers
-- from young college students to grayheads with vivid protest memories of the
60's. They gathered from near and far by the tens of thousands, galvanized by
the possibility that President Bush will soon order American forces to attack
Iraq even without the approval of the United Nations Security Council. Mr. Bush and his war cabinet would be wise to see the
demonstrators as a clear sign that noticeable numbers of Americans no longer
feel obliged to salute the administration's plans because of the shock of Sept.
11 and that many harbor serious doubts about his march toward war. The
protesters are raising some nuanced questions in the name of patriotism about
the premises, cost and aftermath of the war the president is contemplating.
Millions of Americans who did not march share the concerns and have yet to hear
Mr. Bush make a persuasive case that combat operations are the only way to
respond to Saddam Hussein. Other protests will be emphasizing civil disobedience
in the name of Martin Luther King Jr. But any graphic moments to come of
confrontation and arrest should be seen in the far broader context of the
Capitol scene: peaceable throngs of mainstream Americans came forward demanding
more of a dialogue from political leaders. Mr. Bush and his aides, to their
credit, welcomed the demonstrations as a healthy manifestation of American
democracy at work. We hope that spirit will endure in the weeks ahead if
differences deepen and a noisier antiwar movement develops. These protests are
the tip of a far broader sense of concern and lack of confidence in the path to
war that seems to lie ahead. |