[pjw] FINAL EVENT REMINDER: Why is Oregon's National Guard Headed to Syria 10 Years into the US War? Fri 9/27/24 5:00 PM

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hi
Yesterday was the exact 10 year anniversary of the US starting its war on 
Syria-- but 10 marks 10 years since we held an emergency rally after that 
happened. (Remember to meet at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 4 PM the day the US 
attacks any new country, or 4 PM the day after if the initial attack 
happens after 4 PM).

So it seems like a good time for one more reminder about this Friday's 
specially-themed Rally for Peace and Justice to focus on the National 
Guard and the US presence in Syria.

In drafting up the fact sheet I was reminded that the drone attack on a US 
base in Jordan earlier this year led to the deaths of three reservists and 
the injury of 41 National Guard members, so, our concerns are not 
unwarranted.

Also, ICYMI, the US is sending "a small number" of additional troops (to 
add to the FORTY THOUSAND ALREADY THERE) to the Middle East as Israel 
steps up its bombings on Lebanon. Listening to the news today about the 
"Iron Dome" shooting down missiles coming from Lebanon, it occurs to me 
that this is, again, not a "fair fight" if one even concedes that the 
fighting is in any way legitimate.

OK, anyway, please let people know about the rally, come down if you can, 
and if your group wants to be listed this is the last chance for an 
honorable mention, I'll be printing the fact sheets Friday at 1 PM.

Event page

https://pjw.info/syria10yl.html

Flyer

https://pjw.info/syria10yl_flyer.pdf

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- call or text)
    iraq at pjw.info
    http://www.pjw.info/Iraq.html

                 Why is Oregon's National Guard Headed to Syria
                            10 Years into the US War?
                       Friday, September 27, 2024 5:00 PM
               at the Weekly Friday Rally for Peace and Justice
               Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW Yamhill and Broadway
                  please mask up and stay distanced for safety

     An event on Friday, September 27 will mark 10 years since the US began
     bombing Syria on September 22, 2014, and will raise questions about why
     members of Oregon's National Guard are being deployed into this
     undeclared war zone. There is no specific congressional, United Nations
     or Syrian authorization for US troops to be stationed in that country.
     Titled "Why is Oregon's National Guard Headed to Syria 10 Years into
     the US War?", the event is a specially themed Friday Rally for Peace
     and Justice to be held at 5 PM at Pioneer Courthouse Square at the
     corner of SW Yamhill and Broadway. The rally has occurred every week
     since November 2001, so nearly 1200 weeks and 23 years.

     The US bombed Syria in 2014 as it expanded its war against the Islamic
     State in Iraq. It has since set up as many as a dozen bases including
     one called "Mission Support Site Conoco," showing that America's
     presence is really about access to oil, not freedom or democracy.

     The deployment of 230 Oregon Guard members to Iraq and Syria began in
     mid-August 2024 with the troops heading to Oklahoma for training before
     they land in those two countries. Like Syria, where there are currently
     about 900 US troops, the 2500 troops in Iraq are not specifically
     authorized by any act of Congress.

     On August 22, 2024 eleven (later joined by another six) Oregon-based
     groups sent a letter to Governor Tina Kotek, asking her not to deploy
     National Guard troops to undeclared war zones, shortly after the news
     announced that guard members were on the way to Iraq and Syria.

     The Friday Rally for Peace and Justice began on a weekly basis shortly
     after the invasion of Afghanistan. Portland Peaceful Response Coalition
     began to gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square at 5 PM every Friday and
     hosted until March, 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit. PJW's Iraq
     Affinity Group has hosted since that time. The event is coordinated by
     Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group. For more information, or
     if your group would like to cosponsor or endorse this event, contact
     Peace and Justice Works at 503-236-3065 or iraq at pjw.info.

     Read more about the ongoing Troops Home Campaign at
     https://pjw.info/troopshomecampaign.html .