[pjw] March/Rally: "17 Years Since the Iraq Invasion: Time to End All USWars" Fri 3/20/20 5:00 PM

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hello again PJW supporters

Please read (and share) this updated information about tomorrow's rally, 
which includes information asking those at risk to mirror the choices by 
some of the "regulars" at these rallies and stay home as a precaution.

We will make every effort to make sure the PPRC's 959-week (so far) streak 
can continue as long as possible.
Thanks
dan handelman
peace and justice works iraq affinity group

--------------------

Peace and Justice Works
     Iraq Affinity Group
     PO Box 42456
     Portland, OR   97242
     (503) 236-3065  (Office)
     iraq at pjw.info
     http://www.pjw.info/Iraq.html


NEWS ITEM

For immediate release         March 19, 2020

                         "17 Years Since the Iraq Invasion:
                              Time to End All US Wars"
               Rally and march marking 17 years since the US Invasion
                               *Friday, March 20, 2020*
                                       5:00 PM
                 Pioneer Courthouse Square- SW Yamhill and Broadway

This Friday, March 20, local peace groups are organizing a march and rally 
marking 17 years since the US invaded Iraq in 2003. The event will take place 
at the weekly Portland Peaceful Response Coalition Friday Rally at 5:00 PM, at 
Pioneer Courthouse Square (SW Yamhill and Broadway).

Portland Peaceful Response Coalition has held the Friday every week since 
November, 2001, making this the 960th week in a row. The rallies have been held 
rain or shine, snow or sleet, national emergency or not. Attendees will be 
asked to try to remain 3-6 feet apart per social distancing recommendations. 
Several regular attendees who are in at-risk groups are choosing to stay home, 
which serves as good advice for others considering attending.

The wars are going on regardless of the global pandemic. In fact, the US bombed 
sites inside Iraq without the government's permission on March 12 in what the 
White House called retaliation for rocket attacks on American troops in Iraq. 
The two incidents call into question why the US is in Iraq at all, and deepen 
the organizers' reasons for holding the event.

The US invasion and occupation was based on the knowingly false
information presented by the George W Bush administration alleging that
Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. After the invasion, no such
weapons were found. Similar lies about the alleged attack on a US naval
destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin helped justify the Viet Nam war. The
current President, who criticized the Iraq war, has made up similar
lies to justify violence against Iranian nationals inside Iraq (and
Syria)'s borders. Following the US assassination of an Iranian general
in January, the Iraqi parliament voted to demand the US leave their
country. Rather than respect their sovereignty, President Trump
threatened sanctions and demanded to be paid for the US military bases
set up in Iraq as part of this 17-year-long occupation.

Regardless of whether the troops leave, the US embassy in Baghdad is
the world's largest, despite Iraq being the 36th largest country by
population and 58th largest in size. It is clear the US wants to stay
in Iraq to control the oil resources not just in Iraq but in the entire
region. It is time to end all US wars and bring the troops home!

In a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives voted 236-166 on
January 30 to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force
in Iraq, which was controversially created based on the WMD lies, and
has been used to justify continued US presence. Eleven Republicans
voted for the measure.

The PPRC weekly Friday rally began shortly after the US invasion of
Afghanistan in 2001. The protests have also focused on the many ongoing wars as 
well as other foreign and domestic policies.

The event is cosponsored by Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity
Group, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, CODEPINK, War Resisters
League Portland and Veterans For Peace Chapter 72.

A flyer for the event is available at
http://www.pjw.info/iraq_17yl_flyer.pdf , and more information can
be found at http://www.pjw.info/iraq17yl.html .

For more information contact the Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group at 
503-236-3065 (voice or text), or email iraq at pjw.info .