[pjw] EVENTS: "US Out of Syria and Afghanistan!" 3 rallies for peace Sept-Oct 2020

[Peace and Justice Works]

PJW supporters
Below is an announcement for _three_ upcoming (limited attendance) special 
versions of weekly events being coordinated by the Iraq Affinity Group. 
The first two are at the weekly Friday Rallies on Sept 25 and Oct 2, the 
last one is at the "Stand for Peace" event on Tuesday Oct 6 at the East 
end of the Burnside Bridge. Those events had been on hold for a while but 
are now occurring again.

Share widely! But as noted in the announcement, we are trying to follow 
the state guidelines by not having more than 25 people present, wearing 
face coverings, and staying 6 feet apart.

A link to the flyer is included below; all this info is up at
http://www.pjw.info/IAGrallies09_10_20.html .

If you're in a group that wants to cosponsor one or all of these events 
let us know.

Thanks
dan handelman
peace and justice works iraq affinity group

CALENDAR LISTING

For immediate release         August 28, 2020

"US Out of Syria and Afghanistan!" Three limited attendance rallies for peace
                                 Sept-Oct 2020

                      Fridays Sept 25 & October 2 5:00 PM
                   Weekly Rally/March for Peace and Justice
               Pioneer Courthouse Square / SW Yamhill & Broadway

                        Tuesday, October 6 4:30-6:00 PM
                       Expanded weekly "Stand for Peace"
         East end of the Burnside Bridge @ Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

    Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group (IAG) is calling for three
    limited-attendance rallies for peace demanding an end to the US'
    ongoing foreign wars. On Fridays, September 25 and October 2 at 5 PM at
    the weekly rally for Peace and Justice held at the SW corner of Pioneer
    Courthouse Square (SW Yamhill and Broadway), the events will focus on
    the ongoing US presence in Syria (Sept 25) and Afghanistan (Oct. 2). On
    Tuesday, October 6, the IAG will join the weekly "Stand for Peace" at
    the east end of the Burnside Bridge (at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd)
    from 4:30 to 6 PM to mark 19 years of the Afghan war and call for US
    troops to come home. The overarching theme for the three events is "US
    Out of Syria and Afghanistan!" Details for each event are below;
    participants are asked to wear masks and remain socially distanced, and
    to RSVP if possible to ensure the gatherings are no larger than 25
    people.

    Friday, September 25, 2020:
    "US Hands Off Syria's Oil" September 23 marks 6 years since the US
    launched bombing attacks in Syria, ostensibly against the Islamic
    State. After President Trump claimed he would withdraw US troops on the
    ground, he re-stationed them to "protect Syria's oil fields." Neither
    Syria nor the UN has authorized the US presence. (Pioneer Courthouse
    Square, 5 PM)

    Friday, October 2, 2020:
    "Get US Troops Out of Afghanistan"

    October 7 marks 19 years since the US invasion of Afghanistan in
    response to attacks by Al Qaeda, a non-state actor, on 9/11/2001.
    President Trump has negotiated with the Taliban, which currently is
    working with the Afghan government on a peace plan. America has no
    right to remain in the country, which is rich in natural resources but
    unable to stabilize due to over 30 years of international interference.
    (Pioneer Courthouse Square, 5 PM)

    Tuesday, October 6, 2020:
    "19 Years in Afghanistan: End the War!"
    On the eve of the 19th anniversary of the US war in Afghanistan, this
    special extended weekly "Stand for Peace" (usually 4:30-5:30) will
    emphasize to commuters, pedestrians and all Portlanders that it's far
    past time to end the US occupation. The war has led to multiple times
    more deaths than occurred on 9/11, and unnecessary military escapades by
    the US including attacks on Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Libya,and (though no
    US attacks have been reported since 2018) Pakistan. (East end of
    Burnside Bridge, 4:30 PM)

    Peace and Justice Works has been coordinating the now nearly
    19-year-long weekly rally for Peace and Justice each Friday since late
    March after Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, which began the
    rallies in November 2001, ended their formal sponsorship. For more
    information or to get involved contact the Peace and Justice Works Iraq
    Affinity Group at (503) 236-3065 or iraq at pjw.info. A flyer for this
    event can be found at < http://www.pjw.info/IAGrallies09_10_20.pdf>.