UN approved military intervention will have tremendous human cost

Many people first heard about plans for U.S. intervention in the African country of Mali during the third Presidential debate in October. Republican candidate Mitt Romney clumsily tried to speak about Mali’s recent turmoil.

The United States and other western powers are intervening on a large scale in Syria with the aim of overthrowing Syria’s progressive government. Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the United National Antiwar Coalition:

Chicago, IL – As the first winter storm of the season arrived here, Dec. 20, 20 hearty souls stood outside the Boeing Company headquarters by the Chicago River, carrying signs opposing war.

Minneapolis, MN – About 75 people rallied here Dec. 8, the weekend before International Human Rights Day, to say no to the U.S. using human rights to justify wars and sanctions.

Chicago, IL – A spy drone made in the U.S. by Boeing Corporation was captured by Iran after violating their air space. Called a Scan Eagle, it was displayed on Iranian television as evidence that the U.S. government is making moves toward war with Iran.

Minneapolis, MN – 100 people rallied here, Nov. 24, despite frigid temperatures, to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza. “While it is good that there is a cease fire in Gaza, it is important to be here today because we need to protest the Israeli occupation itself because until Palestine is free there will be more offensives like Operation Pillar. As the U.S. anti-war movement we need to keep demanding an end to U.S. military aid because U.S. money is driving and financing the Israeli occupation,” said the Anti-War Committee’s Meredith Aby in her speech to the crowd.

Milwaukee, WI – The declaration of a cease fire didn't stop 200 people from marching in downtown Milwaukee, Nov. 22, in response to a week of Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. Protesters demanded the bombing of Gaza stop and called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Milwaukee, WI – For over a week now, the Israeli government has been launching attacks on the people in the Gaza Strip. For far too long there has been evidence that the Israeli government has been treating the Palestinian people like they are less than human. The Israeli government has been kicking people off their land, making them go through checkpoints, restricting trade to the Gaza region and even bulldozing homes.

Ft. Benning, GA – Meredith Aby, an anti-war leader from Minnesota, spoke out against U.S. political repression at the School of the Americas protest. Aby gave a presentation about the FBI raid on her home that happened because of her being an anti-war, Palestine and Colombia solidarity activist. 60 people attended, overflowing the room.

Tampa, FL – On Nov. 17, nearly 100 people stood against Israel's ongoing bloodbath in Gaza. Students for Justice in Palestine organized the demonstration. Black-clad protesters waved Palestinian flags, held signs and stretched banners as thousands of cars drove through the intersection separating Tampa from Temple Terrace – a city with a large Palestinian community. The large contingents on all four corners of Fowler Avenue and 56th Street rotated when the lights changed, making sure that motorists got a long look at banners adorned with statistics on the brutality of occupation and its financial dependence on the U.S. government.

St. Paul, MN – More than 100 rallied here Nov. 16 to protest Israel’s attack on Gaza, which has been escalating since it began two days earlier. Protesters lined one of the busiest intersections in Saint Paul, at Summit and Snelling Avenues. The carried Palestinian flags and banners and signs in solidarity with Palestine and in opposition to U.S. support for Israel.

Homeland Security sends dog

Salt Lake City, UT – In response to brutal attacks by Israeli forces on the Palestinian territory in Gaza, Salt Lake rallied in solidarity on Friday, Nov. 16. Protesters called for an end to the violence and the ongoing Israeli occupation.

Gainesville, FL – A massive Palestinian flag with the words “Free Palestine” was raised in Turlington Plaza Nov. 15 as 40 students gathered to condemn the massacre in Gaza. Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organized the protest in response to the latest wave of brutal Israeli attacks, which claimed the lives of dozens of Palestinians.

Once again, Israel is launching a criminal attack on the people of Gaza. On Nov.14, Israeli warplanes and drones began a ferocious bombardment, killing little kids and a prominent Palestinian freedom fighter, Ahmed Al-Jaabari. Buildings are burning in Gaza City. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with other Israeli officials, say this is just the beginning. And, it needs to be said, the White House has the blood of Palestine on its hands.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said on Nov. 13 that the U.S. military should be held equally liable for the dumping of toxic waste as its defense contractor, Glenn Defense Marine Philippines. The waste was collected from U.S. naval warships and dumped in Subic Bay last October.

Minneapolis, MN – More than 175 people came to the event “Iran in the Crosshairs” on Oct. 19 to hear from anti-war activists and Congressman Keith Ellison (Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota) about how to stop the U.S. march to war.

Minneapolis, MN – Holding signs and banners, around 50 people joined an anti-war protest here, Oct. 11, in front of the office of Senator Klobuchar. The protest, organized by the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, coincided with the week of the 11th anniversary of the war on Afghanistan.

Minneapolis, MN – On Oct. 7 over 200 people joined a Minneapolis anti-war protest to mark the anniversary of the start of the war on Afghanistan with a call for an end to war and for the troops to be brought home.

Salt Lake City, UT – The October 7 Committee held a rally here, Oct. 7, against all U.S. wars at home and abroad. Over 100 people protested, holding signs and chanting.