[Marxism] ANSWER's call for "united" action

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here is a call for a "united" antiwar action by ANSWER.  There is a good
argument for supporting  the Washington action, depending on what kind
of response it is actually getting.

But -- since I am expressing a lot of grouch these days -- let me point
out that the call for a "united" demonstration is demagogic at best.
After all, what are the possibilities of bringing UFPJ into a coalition
that calls for the right of return for the Palestinian people?

ANSWER is fully aware that as far as uniting the antiwar movement as it
is today is concerned, this is a total deal-killer.  The call for
"unity" is just a call for everybody to set aside THEIR differences,
while all of ANSWER's positions on everything go into the program for
the protest.

Sigh.
Fred




----- Original Message ----- From: A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Sent: Monday,
May 16, 2005 11:36 PM Subject: Endorse Sept. 24 - Build for United Mass
AntiWar Action

Endorse Sept. 24 Build for United Mass AntiWar Action More than 600
endorsers have signed on to the September 24 mobilization in Washington
DC, with coordinated actions to take place in San Francisco and Los
Angeles.

This is a call for a united demonstration. All antiwar activists work
daily at the grassroots level to fight against this criminal war. There
are times when it is critical for all of us to unite and come together
in mass actions. The Bush administration is trying to remove Iraq from
the headlines and the television screens. The people of Iraq do not have
the luxury of deciding that they do not want to think about this war or
that they can put it off to a more convenient time.

In the last three weeks, nearly 1,000 Iraqis have died and it has become
evident that the U.S. cannot militarily defeat the expanding insurgency.
U.S. casualties have risen sharply in the same period. The carnage and
bloodshed in Iraq - the direct and inevitable outgrowth of the war of
aggression and the attempt to impose a colonial-style confessional
system in the country - will not end until the Bush administration is
forced to withdraw.

Secretary of State Rice's "surprise" visit to Iraq is a clear sign of
the new stage of crisis in Iraq and the alarm that it has generated in
Washington. At the same time that Rice is pressuring the just-installed
puppet government to make changes, she is also issuing new threats
against neighboring Syria.

Rice and other U.S. officials assert that the root of the problem in
Iraq is "foreign fighters." That is true but not in the way Washington
means it. The intensifying resistance in Iraq is entirely attributable
to the presence of U.S. and other foreign occupation troops.

Another false claim by Washington is that the occupiers are facing only
a "Sunni resistance" in Iraq. This is part of the
divide-in-order-to-conquer strategy of the U.S. but today, May 16, a
leading Shiite cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, demanded the immediate
withdrawal of all U.S. occupiers from Iraq.

This is an emergency situation. It requires immediate action. That's why
September 24 Organizing Committees are being formed in cities all over
the country. The overwhelming response to the appeal for a united mass
demonstration on September 24 is a clear indication that activists from
all over the country want to take action.

Thousands will march on Saturday, September 24 in Washington DC. The
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition urges the antiwar movement to come together for a
united demonstration. We will march and rally starting at the White
House. In addition to endorsing the demonstration by clicking here, be
sure to circulate the September 24 call. Click here to read the Call to
Action.

Become a Transportation Organizing Center to help bring people from your
city or town

Organizations and activists from around the country can help spread the
word, mobilize and bring people to the September 24 demonstration. If
you are interested in organizing a bus, van or car caravan to Washington
DC, San Francisco or Los Angeles on September 24, fill out the
Transportation

Listing Form. We will help to spread the word about your travel plans by
including them on the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition website and in future
emails. If you have questions about organizing transportation from your
city, contact the National Office of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition in
Washington DC at info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or 202-544-3389.

The demands of the demonstration While we organize around the demand for
the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the U.S. from Iraq, it is
essential that the movement show the connection between the war in Iraq
and all the other fronts of the U.S. government's war for Empire,
including the struggle of working and poor people in the United States.
The demands for the demonstration include: Stop the War in Iraq End
Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti Support the
Palestinian People's Right of Return Stop the Threats Against Venezuela,
Cuba, Iran & North Korea U.S. out of the Philippines Bring all the
troops home now Stop the Racist, anti-Immigrant and anti-Labor Offensive
at Home, Defend Civil Rights Mark Your Calendar for these upcoming
important events In addition to mobilizing for the September 24
mobilization, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition is also involved with and
supporting other important demonstrations. August 2005 August 6 in Los
Alamos, New Mexico On Saturday, August 6, 2005, the Los Alamos Study
Group and endorsing organizations will commemorate the 60th anniversary
of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings with an all-day conference and
teach-in at Ashley Pond Park in Los Alamos. The day's events will begin
at 10:00 am and continue all day at Ashley Pond Park and in adjacent
public buildings. October 2005 October 14, 15 and 16 in Washington DC On
the 10th Anniversary of the Million Man March, the Millions More
Movement will come to Washington DC for events October 14-16. On Friday,
October 14, a Day of Absence will be observed. A mass assembly at the
National Mall will be held on Saturday, October 15, officially opening
the Movement at 10 a.m., with pre-event activities as early as 6 a.m. On
Sunday, October 16, services of worship throughout the city will be
observed, including a mass Unity Interfaith, Interdenominational
Service. Email us at info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with information about
other important activities in the Summer and Fall. Downloadable flyer

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