[pjw] EVENT: "Get US Troops Out of Afghanistan" Friday 10/2, 5 PM

[Peace and Justice Works]

Iraq Affinity Group supporters

Below is an announcement for the second of our three related (limited 
attendance) rallies for peace under the umbrella title "US Out of Syria 
and Afghanistan!"

Share widely! And remember, 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 .

Thanks
dan handelman
peace and justice works iraq affinity group

NEWS ITEM / CALENDAR LISTING

For immediate release          September 30, 2020

                      "Get US Troops Out of Afghanistan"
                        Friday, October 2, 2020, 5:00 PM
                     Weekly Rally/March for Peace and Justice
                 Pioneer Courthouse Square / SW Yamhill & Broadway
      second of three limited attendance rallies for peace Sept-Oct 2020

Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group (IAG) is coordinating the 
second of three planned limited-attendance rallies for peace demanding an 
end to the US' ongoing foreign wars. On Friday, October 2 at 5 PM the 
theme of the weekly rally for Peace and Justice held at the SW corner of 
Pioneer Courthouse Square (SW Yamhill and Broadway), will be "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.

While Trump has said his goal is to get US troops out of Afghanistan, 
reports are that the current troop level of 8600 will only be reduced to
4,500 (CNN, September 11).

Peace and Justice Works has been connecting the issues of international 
war and local police brutality since 1992, and will make the connections 
at Friday's rally once again.

The three special events are planned under the theme "US Out of Syria and 
Afghanistan!" The final rally, a joint event with "Stand For Peace" on 
Tuesday, October 6, will also focus on Afghanistan. The October 6 event 
takes place 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.

Details for the October 6 event is below. Participants at all events are 
asked to wear masks and remain socially distanced, and to RSVP if possible 
to ensure the gatherings are no larger than 25 people.

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 these
events can be found at < http://www.pjw.info/IAGrallies09_10_20.pdf>.


    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)