[pjw] EVENT: "Remembering the Relentless Bombing of Iraq Since 2003" Fri 3/22/24 5 PM

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hi,
Just a reminder that we're just a little over two weeks away from our 
special Friday rally marking 21 years since the invasion of Iraq. I 
haven't seen any updates about the Iraqi government actually kicking the 
US out of their country, but we can always hold hope for good news.

The event page is at
   https://www.pjw.info/iraq21yl.html

and a flyer can be found at

  https://www.pjw.info/iraq_21yl_flyer.pdf

Feel free to share widely, and as noted in the announcement, if your group 
wants to sign on let us know.

dan handelman
peace and justice works iraq affinity group

                       Remembering the Relentless Bombing
                               of Iraq Since 2003
                         Friday, March 22, 2024 5:00 PM
                    Weekly Friday Rally for Peace and Justice
                                 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. In December 2021, President Joe Biden decided to
     leave 2500 American military personnel in Iraq, where they remain to
     this day. As of late January, US forces in Iraq have been the target of
     attacks over 55 times (and the 900 troops in Syria over 85 times)
     largely due to American support for Israel's bombardment of Gaza in
     October. The US has conducted what it says are defensive retaliatory
     strikes, which Iraq sees as a violation of its sovereignty.
     On February 2, 2024, the US launched 85 airstrikes in Iraq and
     Syria in retaliation for attacks on American troops in Jordan.

     The world seems to respond differently to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
     and Hamas' attack on Israel when compared to Israel's disproportionate
     response and the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan or countless
     other military and economic acts of warfare. Some say the US' disregard
     for international law has opened the proverbial floodgates.

     Iraqis have been subject to US interference by war, sanctions and
     occupation since August, 1990. Iraq's infrastructure has never fully
     recovered from the the 1991 "Gulf War," the 2003 invasion and other
     American-led actions. Even if the US removes its troops, as is being
     considered, their influence-- and the world's largest embassy-- will
     remain in Baghdad. Join us to remember the past, call attention to the
     present and call for a better future.

     Coordinated by Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group as part of
     the weekly Friday Rally for Peace and Justice, held since Nov. 2001.

     For more information, or if your group would like to cosponsor or
     endorse this event, contact Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group
     at 503-236-3065 or iraq at pjw.info.