The Militant (logo)  

Vol. 71/No. 42      November 12, 2007

 
Regional actions demand an end to war in Iraq
(feature article)
 
Regional actions against the war in Iraq took place in 12 cities October 27, organized by the coalition United for Peace and Justice. The actions included San Francisco, which drew more than 10,000; New York, nearly 4,000; Philadelphia, 1,000; and Salt Lake City, 1,000. Below are reports on some of the protests.
 
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BY BETSEY STONE  
SAN FRANCISCO, October 27—More than 10,000 people marched here today to protest the Iraq war.

The demonstrators, many of them young, came from Northern California and nearby states. “I’m tired of the deceit about the war and the killing of innocent people,” said Kintessa Quintanar, a Sacramento City College student.

Antiwar coalitions UFPJ and ANSWER sponsored the demonstration. More than 100 organizations and individuals endorsed. The march included contingents from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Communications Workers of America Local 9415, Glaziers Local 178, and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County.

“Get out of Iraq, Stay out of Iran” was one of many signs protesting U.S. threats against Iran. “Calling them terrorist, sanctions, we’ve seen this before when they want to go to war,” said Nick Alvarez, a student at San Francisco State University.

Supporters of the Socialist Workers Party campaign of Lea Sherman for mayor, Gerardo Sánchez for district attorney, and Chauncey Robinson for sheriff, marched behind a banner demanding, “Not one penny, not one person for Washington’s wars” and “Hands off: Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Korea, Somalia, Cuba, Venezuela, Philippines.”
 

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BY EMILY PAUL  
NEW YORK, October 27—“I’m demonstrating because I’m sick of war for oil and I want to prevent any further military action against Iran,” James LaGrutta, a student at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, told the Militant at a protest here today of nearly 4,000.

“We have to continue to make sure Congress does what it should do—stop funding war,” said UFPJ national coordinator Leslie Cagan at the opening rally.

“This is an unjust war and we need to get out as soon as possible,” said William Orellano, who was part of a lively contingent from El Puente, a community group in Brooklyn.

“Being there is creating more enemies. I’m for total withdrawal of the troops, but gradually,” said Shawn Whiting, a student at Ithaca College.

Salm Kolis contributed to this article.
 

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BY LAURA GARZA  
BOSTON, October 27—Thousands of people rallied on the Boston Common today against the Iraq war and then marched to Copley Square.

Students from New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts were among those protesting.

“Something has to change and the best way to do this is to spread awareness,” said Nathan Wigfield, 19. He was among three dozen students from the University of Vermont in Burlington who came in vans organized by Students and Soldiers Against the War.
 

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BY JACQUIE HENDERSON  
NEW ORLEANS, October 27- Two hundred people rallied here today to demand an end to the war in Iraq.

The rally included speeches from veterans of U.S. wars in Iraq and Vietnam, and activists protesting government inaction on restoring basic social services, housing, and hospitals here in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Chanting “Not one penny, not one dime, the Iraq war is a crime!” and “Make levees, not war!”, the protesters marched following the rally. Several people joined as the action made its way to Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter.
 
 
Related articles:
Turkish gov’t pounds Kurd rebel bases on Iraqi border
Young Socialists demand: ‘Bring troops home now!’ and ‘Free the Cuban 5!’  
 
 
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