Mazen Malik
Local Palestinian Activist
Human rights and peace activists need to speak up against the
injustice and the brutality of the Israeli occupation. We have to put an end
to the Israeli Apartheid imposed upon the Palestinians. It is time to acknowledge
that Palestine is the real issue. Implement UN resolutions regarding this
conflict first and foremost. Make it obvious in unequivocal terms that the
Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must end immediately,
and commit to a just resolution of the issue of the Palestinian refugees.
Remember that, we all need to stand firm on the side of law, justice and the
supremacy of human rights. Real peace will come only by dealing with others
as equals. Equality in turn will bring justice, and justice will bring peace.
Once that happens the whole complexion of the Middle East will change so fast
that it will become the new oasis of democracy and justice. It will return
to be the bastion of civilization that it was for thousands of years. The
US and the whole world will not have to suffer war and destruction in that
part of the world any more.
Rev. Cecil Prescod
United Church of Christ
Among the challenges that the broad-based anti war movement
faces is to remain a principled opponent to American expansionism. Opponents
of the war stated that this was not a war for liberation but a war for continued
global domination by corporate interests. We must challenge our government
to end the occupation and oppose the manner in which business contracts for
the reconstruction of Iraq are awarded. We must direct our energies to ensure
that our government recognizes that a just peace can not exist in the region
until Israels military occupation of Palestine ends, and the two states
can exist in safe and secured borders.
I believe that one reason why the antiwar movement grew so rapidly is because
of the international activism against globalization over the past decade.
We must We must continue to educate and organize our communities around globalization
and continue to work in coalitions with others in the social and economic
justice movement. This means lending support to various struggles and seeking
broad support for our own struggles.
Another area of focus should be resisting the steady decline of civil liberties.
We can continue to educate and organize ourselves and our communities against
the expansion of the USA Patriot Act . This assault on basic constitutional
rights threatens our abilities to organize in the future. Our work for justice
will become more difficult, if we ignore this clear and present danger.
Finally, we can model the type of world we seek. In our struggle to create
a just society, we must act justly, not only with those who struggle with
us, but with those who oppose us. We must be consumed by love and justice,
not by hate and revenge. The Trappist monk Thomas Merton advised us,
So instead of loving what you think is peace, love other [people] and love
God above all. And instead of hating the people you think are warmakers, hate
the appetites and the disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war.
If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed - but hate
these things in yourself, not in another.
Theresa Mitchell
KBOO Presswatcher
1. We should pat ourselves on the back a little bit. We delayed
the slaughter that the Bushites demanded, and we exposed and embarrassed them
in front of the UN. At one point, 11.5 million people marched against the
warBEFORE IT BEGAN! We have demonstrated an unprecedented strength;
we cannot be ignored, and if we keep going, we will not be stopped.
2. We should continue. This means everything from letters to the editor, to
postering and broadcasting on peoples media and it definitely
means sending money to the Alliance! NOW!
3. Unresolved crimes should be constantly brought up: the election, the anthrax
coverup, Afghanistan, DU, our two million people in prison (!!), the Patriot
Acts fascistization, global warmingthat should be enough to mobilize
anyone.
4. Abbie Hoffman once stopped the world and forced it to consider its materialism,
simply by collecting a hundred one-dollar bills and tossing them over the
floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Trading stopped as the rich brokers
shoved each to grab one-dollar bills. We can do that kinda stuff, too.
5. We need to ask ourselves: What do we want? Dont we want a society
in which the wealth is distributed rationally, in which political participation
is based on education rather than propaganda? Or do we want to be ruled by
the rich?
Ira Woodward
Peace activist
Portlands Peace and Justice Movement should focus on ending
further arms deals around the world and preventing corporations from getting
government contracts to reconstruct Iraqin their own interest.
The peace movement should: Argue for an end to U.S. occupation, immediate
reparations for Iraq, and transitional UN government. Argue for a foreign
policy based on human rights, on justice and on peace. Argue against a foreign
policy that supports the brutal occupation of Palestine and the murderous
drug war in Colombia, making the world safe for no one and liberating
only the privileged few. Argue as well against the illegal, anti-labor, sexist
and racist assault on the rights of the domestic U.S. population.
To realize these goals, the peace movement needs to focus on organizing as
well as big protests: this means going door to door, talking to our neighbors,
organizing teach-ins, distributing and improving alternative media, and any
other method that will reach out to more and more people, and give them a
chance to get involved in the movement.
Portland Anti-Capitalist Action
Affinity Groups Portland is in desperate need of affinity
groups. An affinity group is a small group of 5 to 20 people who work together
autonomously on direct action or other projects. Finding relevant targets
and acting on them takes only a few people. Coordinate with other affinity
groups. (Important: Before going into an action with folks, be sure everyone
has a clear understanding of the difference of being a non-arrestable
and just not wanting to be arrested.)
Diversity of tactics All of us in the anti-war movement, no matter
how we identify, must acknowledge that diversity of tactics is the single
most important aspect of this movement. Candle light vigils to strategic property
redecoration, we need them all and we need to support them all. No more of
this we dont support that tactic to save credibility
with the mainstream media bullshit. Solidarity not separation.
Targeted Direct Action We know who they are and where they are. We
need affinity groups to shut them down.
Mass Movement Building We need to build a mass movement. We need to
do outreach, and education on a much more aggressive and expansive scale than
we have before. From door to door canvassing, to downtown leafleting, to teach-ins
and rallies. We need to get our message out to people.
Boycotts Hit them where their money is. Currently underway is the organizing
of a city-wide boycott. Businesses who support and profit from american terror
are being targeted. DO NOT SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES. Talk to relatives,
neighbors, co-workers, comrades, everyone you encounter and inform them of
the atrocities these corporations are responsible for. Pull your funds from
banks that profit from and support the war. Support local credit unions instead.
This is an action every single one of us can participate in and, if done correctly,
will force these businesses to reconsider their backing of tyranny. With the
organization and good old-fashioned grassroots word-of-mouth action we can
make this boycott national. None of these organizations will support a war
that actually costs them money. Contact againstallwar@-ziplip.com
for more information.
The Portland Alliance
2807 SE Stark Portland,OR 97214 Last Updated: May 1, 2003 |