BY VALERHE JOHNSON
NEW YORK - Chanting, "Stop the bombing!" more than 100
people gathered at Times Square December 16 as thousands of
passersby saw live footage of Washington's air strikes against
the people of Iraq airing on the screen overlooking the square.
While some individuals passing the protest shouted pro- imperialist remarks like, "Make Iraq a parking lot," many people took literature demonstrators were passing out.
Shortly after the protest began, the police hauled away one of the speakers for allegedly not having a sound permit for the action. This was met with chants of "Free speech! Free speech!"
Anthony Wilkins, a garment worker and member of Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees Local 168, came directly from the factory he works at with a co-worker after hearing about the action on the radio. Wilkins stated, "To me he's trying to cover up," referring to Clinton. "He says Saddam can't threaten his neighbors, but he's bombing Iraq!" the worker added.
Six students from Philadelphia walking by joining the protest. One chanted, "We're with you - no to war," and "Free Mumia," referring to Mumia Abu-Jamal, who is on death row in Pennsylvania.
Another action is call for December 17 at 5:00 p.m.
At press time the Militant had received reports of similar actions from Des Moines, Iowa; Houston; Newark, New Jersey; Seattle; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; and New Zealand.