Antiwar forces have started their demonstrations in Washington, D.C.; arrests of civil disobedient protesters have already occurred in the Capital. Activists have been taken into custody in front of the IRS building for refusing to leave their blockade of the front doors of the building.
We plan to bring you continuous updates during today’s protest commemorating the 5th anniversary of Bush’s invasion of Iraq.
Anti-War Events Nationwide Mark 5th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion
Hundreds of events are planned around the United States today to mark the fifth anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Cities holding protests, sit-ins, and other gatherings include Washington, DC, New York, Louisville, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. On Tuesday activists with the antiwar group Code Pink marched along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. disrupting traffic. Here in New York, the musicians Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson headlined a sold-out concert raising money for United for Peace and Justice and Iraq Veterans Against the War.
Traffic Disruption & Government, Corporate Buildings to Be Blockaded in Washington DC
Antiwar protesters in Washington, DC plan a series of demonstrations that could disrupt traffic, hamper commuters and block access to some buildings in downtown Washington. The actions are directed at business, government, political and media centers that demonstrators blame for the continuation of the war, according to members of the United For Peace and Justice coalition, which is heading the protest.
Activists have targeted the headquarters of the Internal Revenue Service, at 12th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, which they said they hope to shut down. They said they will also protest at various corporations in the vicinity of K Street between 13th and 18th streets NW.
Antiwar military veterans have planned a 9 a.m.EDT march on the Mall from the National Museum of the American Indian to the Capitol.
Other events — including a die-in, a knit-in and a torture simulation — are planned at the Department of Veterans Affairs, McPherson Square, Lafayette Square, the American Petroleum Institute and the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee on Capitol Hill.
Some activists plan a 9:30 a.m. “March of the Dead” from Arlington National Cemetery into the District, with stops at war memorials and the Department of State. Others plan to demonstrate at The Washington Post, local offices of ABC, CNN, Fox and United Press International and the National Press Building.
“We believe it will be an unprecedented day of action,” said Lisa Fithian of the 5 Years Too Many coalition. “There will be people coming from almost 40 states to bring their message to those . . . that are promoting . . . and profiting from war.
“On one day, the anniversary of the war, we will intervene in their business,” she said.
Leslie Cagan, national coordinator of United for Peace and Justice, said the war has become one of the longest in U.S. history. “It is time to end this war and bring all the troops home,” she said. The IRS is being targeted for its role in funding the war. “You cannot collect our tax money and then hand it over to the government to use for death and destruction,” Cagan said. “We will be . . . in front of the IRS literally attempting to block the functioning of the agency.
“We don’t want to be back here next year,” she said. “We don’t want there to be a sixth anniversary.”
{ 0 comments… add one now }