October 26, 2001
Over the last few weeks, a new movement has emerged to oppose the war preparations of the U.S. government. Since September 11, there have been over 200 major antiwar actions in 40 countries around the world.
On September 29, tens of thousands of people joined in a national day of protest in the U.S. More than 10,00 people demonstrated in downtown Washington D.C., and another 10,000 turned out for a rally and march in San Francisco's Delores Park. Thousands of people also marched in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York, and many other cities.
In these actions, speakers unequivocally denounced terrorism in all its forms and demanded that the U.S. government refrain from aggressive military action. They demanded that the U.S. adhere to the rule of international law in order to bring the criminals who attacked the World Trade Center to justice. The slogan "No War!" echoed all across the country. In addition, these actions condemned the government's arbitrary attacks on immigrants and warned against the growing assault on civil liberties.
A week earlier, on September 20, tens of thousands of students and staff on more than 140 U.S. campuses in 36 states organized marches, rallies, teach-ins and other anti-war actions. On this national day of action, 4,000 people in Miami joined in peace forums on two separate campuses, 3,000 people turned out for the rally in Portland, Oregon, over 1,000 students and staff at Berkeley held an anti-war march, etc. The next day over 5,000 people in New York City turned out for an anti-war march from Union Square to Times Square.
Not only in the U.S., but around the world, huge anti-war actions are taking place. Almost every day, demonstrations are being organized throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle-East. On September 27th, in Naples, Italy, over 30,000 people turned out for a massive anti-war rally and march that targeted the growing threat of war from U.S. and NATO military forces. In Athens, Greece, over 8,000 people demonstrated on September 28th. Another 5,000 turned out for an anti-war rally in the Netherlands. Large rallies have also been organized in England, Canada, Ireland, Australia and many other countries. People at these events opposed the U.S. military buildup and called upon world leaders to act rationally and in accordance with international laws and standards.
In addition to these largescale demonstrations, thousands of meetings, discussions and other actions have been organized on the campuses, in the communities and at the workplaces, in small cities and towns, etc. Already millions of Americans have come into the public arena to oppose the government's war preparations. In these activities, people are denouncing the chauvinism of the U.S. government which gives itself the right to dictate the affairs of other countries, to judge others and attack them. People are denouncing the state-sponsored terrorism of the U.S. government and exposing continuing U.S. aggression in Iraq, in Palestine, Yugoslavia, Colombia and elsewhere.
This anti-war movement can only grow stronger and stronger.
