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A24: Official POG Call To Action Stop the War. Occupation does not equal liberation!
by pog
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 7:32 AM
pog@mutualaid.org (email address validated)
POG and allies are calling for a day of action against war and occupation on August 24th to take place at Flagstaff Hill in Oakland's Schenley Park. 1pm Picnic Potluck against Poverty - bring food, yum 2pm Rally - non-boring speakers we promise! 3pm MARCH...
POG Call to Action: August 24th: Stop the War. Occupation does not equal liberation! Bring the troops home now.
1pm Picnic Potluck against Poverty - bring food, yum
2pm Rally - non-boring speakers we promise!
3pm MARCH...
The war has come home.
Eight hundred thirty US troops have been injured and many of those will be disabled for life. At least 266 US soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq, tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians and soldiers are dead. The death toll rises and the destruction continues with numbing regularity. We are killing our way to another generation of disabled veterans, children growing up with one parent and homes where sorrow will not soon be forgotten. Iraq and Afghanistan are not free and will not be free. A war that was never about liberation hasn't brought liberation. The government's definition of "freedom" is to put in place a system committed to implementing our geopolitical/economic agenda without regard for what will surely be the continued suffering of the people.
A staggering 4 billion dollars a month of our money is being spent on the occupation. Another $10 billion was just given to Israel to support their continued occupation of Palestine. As President Eisenhower once said, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed." That point is brought home every time we read the headlines. From cuts to public transportation, Medicaid, public libraries and education, we can't ignore the relationship between endless war and domestic issues. Moreover, recent talk of privatization of public services (e.g., garbage collection) suggests that we are beginning to experience the full weight of the domestic structural adjustment programs that have ravaged the Global South for decades. While the World Bank, IMF, WTO, and FTAA are the institutional instruments we most commonly associate with the spread of neo-liberalism, we cannot forget that local legislation is the primary enactor of those domestic policies. Whether your live in Pittsburgh or in Baghdad, the end goal of US militarism is clear: economic exploitation by huge transnational corporations.
Throughout the last year, Pittsburgh's resistance to war and injustice has been strong and vital in raising awareness of the death, destruction, and exploitative nature of the war, in the public consciousness. The peace movement forced the government to publicly provide reasons for the war that have now been discredited. We have forced those who would manipulate and lie to achieve their ends to pay a political price. More and more people are seeing the lies behind the smokescreen of government propaganda and corporate media acquiescence to power. We have created a local climate more open to dissent and less welcoming of the racist, sexist, classist and homophobic attacks that often occur in times of war. Those are a couple of the many victories in this struggle that should not be forgotten as we assess what role we can play in shaping future events.
The complicity of inaction was unacceptable then and it is unacceptable now. We must not allow ourselves to be ignored, we must return to the streets and we must do so in large numbers. Let us embark with renewed vigor and a determination to see this struggle through to the end. Let us organize for a show of strength and unity. Now is the time to show George W. Bush that America does not support killing in the name of profit: not in the war and not in the occupation. Join us on Sunday, August 24, 1pm at Flagstaff Hill and demand an end to U.S. military rule and freedom and self-governance for the Iraqi people. We invite everyone to take part in this day of action in whatever capacity they feel is most effective, as a diverse movement is imperative in bringing about positive social change.
Silence is complicity.
Keep on fighting,
POG
For more information contact pog@mutualaid.org or go to http://www.organizepittsburgh.org
go pog go
by -=]
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 8:57 AM
All out of A24
Our best protection is numbers, preparation, and a commitment to stand in solidarity with one another.
getting numbers there
by Tom
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 9:09 AM
I think numbers are critical to the success of this event. Instead of just saying there needs to be a good turnout we should discuss how to make that happen. I don't think pog can do it alone.
Flyering and outreach!!!
Talk to family, co-workers, people on the street, and anyone else who might potentially be interested in opposing the war/occupation. The single greatest thing holding back turnout at protests is that people don�t know about them. We can put up flyers on poles, do banner drops at bridges, and anything else that will get the word out.
Make the connections!!!
This event is trying to show the links between war and domestic policies. How many more people would show up to oppose the war if they knew we were spending 4 billion a month on the occupation while the city falls apart?
How about newspaper ad?
by Green Lantern
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 9:29 AM
Maybe our sympathetic friends @ the City Paper or Pulp would run an ad for the A24 action? I would donate my time to design the ad. Any ideas???????????
won't run ads for free.
by --
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 9:40 AM
the ads for pervious events have been paid for by generous individuals. pog will be contacting those outlets to advert the event which should result in a bit of coverage.
AWESOME
by Green Lantern
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 10:49 AM
Maybe this time the ad can incorporate more graphics to catch people's eye. The "re-convergence" ad was excellent in the fact that it was a full page but it was bland and hard to read. Hard hitting facts and bold graphics will help bolster attendance. Like i mentioned in my earlier post, if you need help laying something out..........just say so. I would be more than happy to help.
It's great that we have people in this city willing to fund such an ad. My hats off to them.
...
by friend of pog
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 11:32 AM
to be clear about the above comment.
in the past people have bought ads for events (reconvergence), but pog has never been able
to get anyone to do it. I think the person was
refering to the fact pog would be contacting the
media outlets not that they could get ads bought.
people in pittsburgh don't support pog financially
the way they support other groups.
Ad cost
by Green Lantern
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 11:49 AM
I was hoping the same generous individuals who paid for reconvergence ad would maybe help out again?
Any idea what the rate schedule is for Pulp or City Paper?
not sure.
by .
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 12:10 PM
I'm not sure but it's hundreds of dollars, maybe $500
Here's an idea...........
by Green Lantern
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 at 12:27 PM
Download the flyers for A24 action, make copies, hit up a City Paper or Pulp box on Wednesday right after they fill it. Take a couple minutes to insert flyers into each paper in the box. It's kind of like reverse dumpster diving!!!!!
I checked the rate card for advertising in City paper. It was ridiculously expensive.
Leaving will promote democracy?
by Shane
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003 at 11:49 AM
Will someone explain to me how pulling US troops out of Iraq will promote democracy, as stated in your diatribe?
I was vehemently against the war and participated in all of the protests, but now that we are there and the decision is done, we must stay there in order to keep peace and set up some semblance of order. Pulling out of Iraq will only allow the ultra right wind Muslims to seize power as they already are trying to do. Yea, try telling me that is better than an occupation by US troops. Try telling the people of Iraq that as well. Remember, I was against the war. But now that we are there, we must restore order.
Uhhgg
by Morning Oil Breath
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003 at 12:07 PM
The US troops are merely a pawn in a game. A game played by US Imperialists. Halliburton, Brown, Lockheed-Martin & others are reaping the financial benefits of the "occupation" of Iraq. Do you really think US troops are keeping peace? Restoring order - give me a break.
Its a FUCKING WAR. Helpless people are being slaughtered on a daily basis by the US TROOPS. Who now in turn have a target on their backs. I think you need to come to the realization of why we went to war in the first place. It was not to liberate IRAQ. If you were "vehemently" against the war before it started..........the situation has only gotten worse. Maybe when a McDonalds or Starbucks opens in Iraq you'll be satisfied? Would that be democracy in action? Restoring order while sipping on a double moca?
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