[pjw] EVENT REMINDER: "20 Years Later, the US is Still in Iraq" Fri 3/17 5 PM

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hi again Iraq Affinity Group supporters

This is our first formal reminder in 31 days (!) about the special Friday 
rally coming up at the end of next week, Friday March 17, to mark 20 years 
since the invasion of Iraq.

In the interim, the United National Antiwar Coalition has called a march 
on Washington on Saturday the 18th; I think it's safe to say we're in 
solidarity with their message:

Sat. March 18 -- National March on Washington
On the 20th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq
No War in Ukraine! No to NATO! No Weapons, No Money for the Ukraine War

We'll certainly talk about Ukraine (as we usually do) but also continue to 
focus on what the US did and continues to do in Iraq, and as noted below 
also in solidarity with Code Pink and other groups, rail against the F-35 
jet program.

The flyer for this event is at
https://www.pjw.info/iraq_20yl_flyer.pdf

And the announcement below can also be found online at
https://www.pjw.info/iraq20yl.html

Please help us spread the word!

Thanks

dan handelman
peace and justice works iraq affinity group

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

20 Years Later, the US is Still in Iraq
End the F-35 Fighter Jet Program
Rally and March
Friday, March 17 2023
5:00-6:00 PM

Please mask up and stay distanced for safety
Pioneer Courthouse Square (SW Yamhill and Broadway)

On March 19, 2003, the US launched a massive invasion and occupation of 
Iraq, based on George W. Bush's false assertions of weapons of mass 
destruction (WMDs) and leading to mass devastation from a "shock and awe" 
bombing campaign. In 2011, President Barack Obama withdrew most of the 
troops. In 2014, Obama sent more US military back into Iraq to engage in 
warfare against the Islamic State. In 2017, President Donald Trump stepped 
up the bombing, destroying most of the Iraqi city of Mosul. In 2020, Trump 
ordered the assassination in Iraq of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, 
leading to a vote by the Iraqi Parliament to eject all US troops. Yet in 
December 2021, President Joe Biden decided to leave 2500 American military 
personnel in Iraq, where they remain to this day.

While the world continues to be rightfully appalled at Russia's invasion 
of Ukraine, the US has never been held accountable for the attack on Iraq, 
Afghanistan, or countless other military and economic acts of warfare.


Iraqis have not been free from US interference by war, sanctions and other 
means since August, 1990. Iraq's infrastructure has never fully recovered 
from the the 1991 "Gulf War," the 2003 invasion or other American-led 
actions. Join us for this march and rally to call for an end to the US 
occupation.

Meanwhile, the US is set to invest $1.7 trillion on a wasteful combat 
aircraft program. Many of the over 220 organizations who signed a letter 
in October are using the Iraq war anniversary to call for an end to the 
F-35 fighter jet, citing "harm caused abroad, cost to the taxpayer, 
inefficiencies, failures, environmental impact, and the effects training 
has on local communities."


Event coordinated by Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group. For more 
info: Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group (503)236-3065 * 
iraq at pjw.info * https://www.pjw.info/Iraq.html