NJ Coalition Against War in Iraq
Weekend of Action
2nd Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq
Saturday - Sunday, March 19 -
20 • Statewide
End The Occupation Of
Iraq
Bring The Troops Home!!
Occupation Drains Much Needed Dollars
From Our Cities And Communities
And Costs Too Many Lives
Member organizations
of the NJ Coalition Against War on Iraq will join with the
largest national peace coalition in the nation, United for
Peace and Justice, for a weekend of action marking the 2nd
anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. The actions will
demand an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq, withdrawal
of U.S. troops from Iraq, and full sovereignty for the Iraqi
people. The NJ Coalition Against War on Iraq, a statewide
coalition co-coordinated by the Montclair-based NJ Peace
Action and the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action
is coordinating at least 14 events throughout New Jersey
this upcoming weekend.
The March 19-20 weekend will mark two years since the U.S.-led
bombing and invasion of Iraq began. No weapons of mass destruction
were ever found; no compelling reason for the war was ever
given. Yet more than 1500 U.S. soldiers have been killed,
more than 11,000 wounded; 100,000 Iraqis are dead, and the
country remains gripped by daily and massive violence, with
no end in sight.
All over the United States, and all around the world, people
will be converging through the March 18-20 weekend to protest
the war and occupation, mourn the losses, and demand immediate
U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. More than 365 activities in at
least 45 states are already listed at http://www.unitedforpeace.org
The March 18-20 weekend will feature an array of vibrant
events ranging from marches and rallies to silent vigils,
civil disobedience actions, interfaith services, musical
and theatre performances, and art exhibits. Events will take
place on main streets and courthouse squares, alongside highways
and bridges, in public parks and in front of military recruiting
stations, at statehouses and Congressional offices.
In New Jersey, events in at least the following fifteen
municipalities:
Atlantic City – Cherry Hill – Englewood –
Hackensack -- Hackettstown—Lambertville/New Hope
Maplewood -- Maywood -- Montclair -- Moorestown
Plainfield -- Ocean City – Woodstown
Activists from Highlands Peace Action,
the Morristown Peace Vigil, and the Northwest New Jersey
Peace Fellowship will
be traveling to New York City for participation in a large
scale march organized by “Troops Out Now!”, culminating
in a rally in Central Park on Saturday, March 19 at 12 noon.
The Rev. Robert Moore, Executive
Director of the Coalition for Peace Action, said "The Bush administration’s
policies have actually worsened the global threat of terrorism
they were supposed to alleviate. Iraq has become a breeding
ground for terrorists; the US State Department says the number
of terrorist attacks worldwide has increased in the two years
since the invasion; and, by leaving the WMD sites unguarded
in the immediate aftermath of the US occupation, high tech
components that can help make WMD were looted, and are now
unaccounted for. The Bush Administration deserves a grade
of ‘F’ in the battle against terrorism."
"Two years ago, groups throughout the state, country
and the world spoke out against the invasion of Iraq," added
Madelyn Hoffman, Director of NJ Peace Action. "Unfortunately,
many of our worst fears about the invasion have been realized.
With the new supplemental request for $82 billion before
Congress, the cost of this invasion and occupation is fast
approaching $250 billion. Over 1500 U.S. soldiers have been
killed and an estimated 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died.
The United States plans to maintain a strong military presence
in Iraq for years to come. We say it is time for the troops
to be brought home and for Iraq's resources, economy and
security to be run by Iraqis.”
The NJ Coalition Against War on Iraq continues its efforts
to reverse this costly mistake in Iraq and build a culture
of peace. It calls upon the United States to employ non-violent
means of resolving international disputes.
For more information about local events, contact the person
listed below or visit www.unitedforpeace.org.
