BY RAY PARSONS AND NATHAN CECCKIN
DES MOINES, Iowa - On March 24 a protest against the
bombing of Yugoslavia sponsored by the Socialist Workers
Party and Young Socialists at the Federal building in
downtown Des Moines drew 10 people.
The action received prominent coverage in local news reports. Four high school students, members of a recently formed Iowa chapter of the group Anti-Racist Action (ARA), participated in the demonstration and joined with other protesters later that evening to discuss organizing further actions.
Another protest was set for March 25. ARA activists posted flyers for the picket line during the day. Fifteen people participated, garnering a significant number of supportive responses from passing motorists.
A Militant Labor Forum held March 26 attracted three students from Iowa State University (ISU) who received e-mail announcements of the event. A lively discussion unfolded there on the importance of supporting the struggle of the Albanian majority in Kosova for independence while opposing the U.S./ NATO war.
TORONTO - The Communist League and the Young Socialists organized a picket line in front of the federal offices of Liberal Party of Canada here March 27, demanding an end to the NATO bombing raids.
The picket line, called on short notice, had brought out more than 20 people demanding an end to the bombings of Yugoslavia and supporting Kosovar independence. The pickets shouted slogans such as "Canada, NATO, stop the bombing now" and "Yes for independence for Kosova."
There have been demonstrations in front of the U.S. consulate in Toronto since the bombings of Yugoslavia by NATO began. Between March 25 and 27, demonstrations numbered from 500 to 1,000 protesters. During the first of these demonstrations, some individuals attacked the consulate with Molotov cocktails, and other projectiles. A majority condemned Kosovar independence.