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Greens to Join Global Day of Protest Against Iraq War, March 19.Thursday, March 17, 2005 Contacts: GREENS PLAN AND JOIN RALLIES AND ACTIONS ACROSS THE U.S. IN THE MARCH 19 'GLOBAL DAY OF PROTEST' AGAINST THE IRAQ WAR Military threats against Iran and Syria risk a greater war between the U.S. and Middle East, warn Greens. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party members across the country will participate in the 'Global Day of Protest' against the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, planned for Saturday, March 19, the second year anniversary of the invasion. "The Green Party of the United States took a strong position against the invasion from the very beginning," said Rebecca Rotzler, Deputy Mayor of the Village of New Paltz, New York (see event listing below). "We opposed the vote by Democrats and Republicans in Congress to surrender the legislative branch's power to declare war to the White House, warning of massive violation of national and international law." "Two years after the invasion, with 100,000 Iraqi civilians and 1,500 U.S. troops killed, evidence of White House deception about WMDs and collusion between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda, pleas from the Iraqi people for the U.S. to get out, and worldwide anger at the U.S.'s aggressive military policies, the Green Party demands an immediate end to the occupation," added Ms. Rotzler. Greens also plan to speak out against the growing danger of military action against Iran, including recent revelations that Israel is planning a bombing campaign with approval or acquiescence from the Bush Administration. "President Bush's threats against Iran and Syria indicate a willingness to risk expanding his so-called War on Terrorism and invasion of Iraq into a greater war in the Middle East in order to secure U.S. control over land, oil, and other resources," said Justine McCabe, member of the party's International Committee and of the Connecticut Greens, who are sponsoring a march and rally in Hartford on March 19 <http://www.ctunitedforpeace.org>. "These actions, along with approval for Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, are part of the Bush plan for a political makeover of the region." Many Greens intend to join a major demonstration led by military families and veterans on March 19 in Fayetteville, North Carolina near Fort Bragg. In Washington, D.C., some Greens will answer the 'National Call for Nonviolent Resistance to the Continuing War in Iraq' issued by the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance <http://www.iraqpledge.org>, joined by military families, veterans, religious and peace groups, and many others, with actions planned for March 17. Greens have planned rallies and other events in
rural areas as well as cities. Some noteworthy examples: ==> Brooklyn, New York, Saturday, March 19: Park
Slope Greens and War Resisters League will hold a solemn processions
with coffins ending with civil disobedience at a military recruiting
station. Gather 10:45 am at two locations: Brooklyn Public Library (on
Flatbush Avenue near Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park) and Brooklyn
Borough Hall. At 11:30 am, two solemn processions with coffins will
begin: one along Flatbush Avenue from the library and the other through
the Fulton Mall from Borough Hall. At 12 noon leafleting and civil
disobedience begin at the military recruiting offices at 41 Flatbush
Avenue (near Lafayette Avenue). ==> New Paltz, New York, Saturday, March 19: The
March 19th Coalition of New Paltz has organized an antiwar rally on
March 19, cosponsored by the New Paltz Greens and the Dutchess Greens
and featuring Jason West, Mayor of New Paltz (Green); former Green
presidential candidate Dr. Joel Kovel; New Paltz Deputy Mayor Rebecca
Rotzler, co-chair of the Green Party's Peace Action Committee. This is
shaping up to be the biggest anti-war commemoration in the state outside
of New York City. 1:00 p.m. rally at Hasbrouck Park, followed by a
parade through downtown New Paltz, ending at SUNY New Paltz (all events
permitted) ==> Seattle, Washington, March 19: Rally and
March: War Cost, Who Pays? Bring the Troops home now! Green Party of
Washington State in coalition with over 20 other organizations at the
Seattle Center. 60,000-70,000 people marched in the Seattle antiwar
protest on February 15, 2003. For more state and local Green events, click on the calendar at <http://plus.calendars.net/greenpartyus> or on state sites at <http://www.gp.org/states.html>. MORE INFORMATION
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