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Washington, D.C.
On Saturday, thousands of people converged at the White House for the March 20 March on Washington—the largest anti-war demonstration since the announcement of the escalation of the Afghanistan war. By the time the march started at 2 p.m., the crowd had swelled up to 10,000 protesters.
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Thousands marched in LA to stop the wars.
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Dozens of buses came from at least 44 cities in 19 states. Demonstrators rallied and marched shoulder to shoulder to demand “U.S. Out of Iraq and Afghanistan Now,” “Free Palestine,” “Reparations for Haiti” and “No sanctions against Iran” as well as “Money for jobs, education and health care!”
Speakers at the Washington rally represented a broad cross section of the anti-war movement, including veterans and military families, labor, youth and students, immigrant right groups, and the Muslim and Arab American community.
Following the rally, a militant march led by veterans, active-duty service members and military families made its way through the streets of D.C. carrying coffins draped in Afghan, Iraqi, Pakistani, Somali, Yemeni, Haitian and U.S. flags, among those of other countries, as a symbol of the human cost of war and occupation. Coffins were dropped off along the way at Halliburton, the Washington Post, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and other institutions connected to the war profiteering, propaganda, and human suffering. The final coffin drop-off was at the White House—the decision-making center of U.S. imperialism.
Click here to see a slideshow of the March 20 March on Washington.
The demonstration received substantial media coverage. It was featured in a major story on page A3 on the Sunday Washington Post (click here to read it). An Associated Press article on the March on Washington was picked up by a large number of newspapers and media outlets in the United States and abroad.
Los Angeles and San Francisco
Joint demonstrations in San Francisco and Los Angeles drew 5,000 people in each city.
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A veterans' contingent led the March 20 mass action in LA.
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In San Francisco, the demonstration included the participation of UNITE HERE Local 2 hotel workers, who are presently fighting for a contract; students, teachers and parents who have been organizing against education budget cutbacks; and community members and activists who have been engaged in a struggle to stop fare hikes and service cuts.
In Los Angeles, a crowd that grew to 5,000 strong marched through the streets of Hollywood carrying not only coffins but also large tombstones that read “R.I.P. Health care / Jobs / Public Education / Housing,” to draw attention to the economic war being waged against working-class people at home in order to fund the wars abroad. Essential social services are being slashed to pay for the largest defense budget in history.
Vietnam Veteran Ron Kovic led the protest, accompanied by a color guard of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, carrying flags of corporations who profit from the war. This showed clearly the link between the war machine and Wall Street and defense contractors. Once the march reached Hollywood and Highland (LA's busiest street corner) everyone in the crowd sat down for several minutes to show the potential power of the people to resist.
Thousands of students and young workers joined the march. In addition to Ron Kovic, speakers included:
Mike Prysner, March Forward!; Peta Lindsay, ANSWER Coalition; Tamara Khoury, Drop All Charges Against the Irvine 11; Muna Coobtee, National Council of Arab Americans; Ivy Quicho, AF3IRM/GABNET; Mark Ramos, KmB Pro-People Youth; Yousef Abudayyeh, Free Palestine Alliance; Richard Castaldo, Peace and Freedom Party; Pat Alviso, Military Families Speak Out; Shakeel Syed, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California; Ryan Endicott, Iraq Veterans Against the War; Blase Bonpane, Office of the Americas; Carlos Alvarez, Party for Socialism and Liberation; Dan Baker, California Teachers Association; Berny Moto, FMLN-LA; Jim Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild; Stevie Merino, Students Fight Back; Margaret Prescod, KPFK Radio Host; Ena Valladares, National Committee to Free the Cuban Five.
The rally was chaired by Peta Lindsay, Muna Coobtee, Jollene Levid (AF3IRM/GABNET), Jasimen Syler (ANSWER & CSU Dominguez Hills Student) and Rana Sharif (Palestinian American Women's Association).
The rally was widely covered by the local media, including the Los Angeles Times, NPR, CNN, and the Los Angeles Daily News.
Click here to see a slideshow of the Los Angeles protest.
A new phase of struggle
The March 20 demonstrations mark a new phase for the anti-war movement. A new layer of activists joined these actions in large numbers, including numerous youth and students from multinational, working-class communities. A sharp connection was drawn between the wars abroad and the war against working people at home. Though smaller than the demonstrations of 2007, this mobilization was larger than the demonstration last year—the first major anti-war action under the Obama administration. The real-life experience of the past year has shown that what we need is not a change in the presidency, but a change in the system that thrives on war, militarism and profits.
These demonstrations were a success thanks to the committed work of thousands of organizers and volunteers around the country. They raised funds, spread the word through posters and flyers, organized buses and other transportation, and carried out all the work that was needed on the day of the demonstration. We took to the streets in force even as the government tried to silence us with tens of thousands of dollars in illegal fines for postering in Washington, D.C., and felony charges against activists for postering in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
We want to especially thank all those who made generous donations for this mobilization. Without those contributions, we could not have carried out this work.
March 20 was an important step forward for the anti-war movement. We must continue to build on this momentum in the months ahead. Your donation will help us recover much-needed funds that helped pay for this weekend's successful demonstration, as well as prepare for the actions to come. Please make a generous donation to support the anti-war movement.
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Support the ANSWER Coalition
You Can Help Build the Anti-War Movement Today
With New Challenges Come New Opportunities
On Dec. 2, President Barack Obama announced his decision to send at least 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. The new deployment will bring the U.S. military force there to more than 98,000. An equal or greater number of mercenaries and private contractors are also on the ground, in addition to tens of thousands more NATO soldiers.
At the same time, 130,000 U.S. troops and more than 100,000 contractors continue to occupy Iraq. The two wars are costing more than $1.2 billion every two days, in the midst of the deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
The day after the announcement people took to the streets in more than 100 cities across the country to protest the decision to dramatically escalate the Afghanistan war. The protests were organized or supported and publicized by the ANSWER Coalition.
ANSWER has taken the lead in bringing together a wide-ranging coalition of anti-war/peace organizations for major demonstrations in Washington D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco on March 20, 2010, the 7th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. We will be marching to say: “End the Wars and Occupations: Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Everywhere,” and “Fund People’s Needs, Not War! Bring All the Troops Home Now!”
We hope that you will continue your invaluable support for the vital work of the ANSWER Coalition in building the grassroots people’s movement. Click here to make a much-needed donation.
The urgent necessity of building this movement has been highlighted by the events of the past year.
The ANSWER Coalition’s end-of-year mailing in 2008 acknowledged the historic significance of Barack Obama’s election as president, that an African American had at last broken the string of 43 white male presidents, and that it brought to an end one of the most despised administrations in U.S. history. At the same time, the economic crisis, continuing wars, militarism and brutal occupation of Palestine, all gave rise to the hopes that the Obama presidency would reverse the reactionary direction, but the big question was: “Can these raised expectations be filled?”
The reality is that on the first anniversary of the start of the Obama presidency, there will be more U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan than at any time during the Bush administration.
In his Dec. 2 speech at West Point, President Obama tried to frame the escalation as a withdrawal plan. This was meant to win over public opinion which has turned increasingly against the Afghanistan war. But this message stands in stark contradiction to the government’s main argument that the war is about “the security of the people of the United States.” If that were really the case there could be no talk about exit strategies and announced plans for withdrawal.
In reality, Afghanistan, like Iraq, is a colonial-style war. The more than 140 armed insurgent groups now fighting the U.S./NATO occupation of Afghanistan are a response to the invasion. Today they control vast swaths of the country. The people of Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that, like the people of Vietnam, they will never accept foreign military occupation.
Just days after the president’s speech, Hamid Karzai, the former UNOCAL consultant and U.S.- installed “President” of Afghanistan, told the world media that the Afghan military and police would not be able to function on their own for at least 15 years. (NY Times, Dec. 9, 2009)
What the last year has reaffirmed is what we in the ANSWER Coalition have believed since our founding in 2001: That beyond question, the hope for real change – both domestically and internationally – lies in a strong and vibrant people’s movement.
In the last year, we have been active on many related fronts:
• On Jan. 10, 2009, ANSWER organized mass demonstrations of tens of thousands of people in Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and elsewhere calling for an end to the brutal Israeli assault – fully backed by the Bush administration and both Democrats and Republicans in Congress – on the people of Gaza. It was the eighth of 10 major demonstrations organized by ANSWER in LA.
• Just 10 days later, an ANSWER-sponsored 1,000-seat “people’s bleachers” was constructed along the Inaugural parade route, a fi rst in history. This was the result of a major court victory won by the renowned civil liberties/civil rights legal organization, Partnership for Civil Justice, a member of the ANSWER National Steering Committee.
• We marched with other anti-war forces in the Martin Luther King Jr. parade in South Los Angeles. Hundreds of thousands of African Americans cheered as ANSWER chanted for peace and marched with banners and signs in the parade.
• On March 21, ANSWER initiated marches and rallies marking the 6th anniversary of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq in many cities across the country. The Los Angeles march, led by Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic, drew over 4,000 participants.
• In late March-early April, ANSWER activists joined a week-long walk to Sacramento protesting the passage of the anti-marriage equality Proposition 8. When the California Supreme Court upheld the ban on same-sex marriage, ANSWER mobilized for mass protests in West Hollywood, East Los Angeles and San Francisco, and several of our activists were arrested joining in civil disobedience.
• On May 1, ANSWER helped organize the largest immigrant rights protest of the day, when 15,000 people hit the streets for equality.
• On June 6, the anniversary of the start of the 1967 Six Day War, when Israel took over the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights, ANSWER sponsored “Let Gaza Live” rallies in a number of cities. The month before, ANSWER speakers participated in the Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Convention in Anaheim.
• Following the coup against the elected government of President Manuel Zelaya in June, ANSWER helped to organize many protests and activities in Los Angeles and other cities. The very active Coalition for Peace and Democracy in Honduras was formed following the coup and has continued to meet regularly in the Los Angeles ANSWER office.
• In July, we hosted a major Cuba solidarity event in Los Angeles to celebrate 50 years of the Cuban Revolution. Over 250 people attended the event.
• In August, ANSWER held public reportback meetings by Iraq war veteran Michael Prysner and filmmaker Travis Wilkerson on the Viva Palestina challenge to the blockade of Gaza led by Scottish MP George Galloway.
• In September, ANSWER organized fi ve local demonstrations on the 11th anniversary of the arrest of the Cuban Five—political prisoners unjustly held in U.S. prisons for trying to stop terrorism.
• ANSWER sponsored or co-sponsored marches and rallies in October marking the 8th anniversary of the start of the Afghanistan war in Los Angeles and across the United States.
• In October, November and December, ANSWER organized 25 events at universities, libraries and bookstores in New England, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and California around the new book “Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire,” which I authored. At least 30 more events are planned over the next several months in New York City, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, California and the Pacifi c Northwest. Click here for more information on the book.
• ANSWER has continued to demand freedom for political prisoners – Mumia Abu Jamal, Leonard Peltier, the Cuban Five, the Angola 3, Troy Davis, Kevin Cooper and others. We have also supported the successful campaign that has led to a dismissal of all charges against the San Francisco 8.
• ANSWER activists have participated in many of the protests against the cutbacks in so many vital services, and in support of real health care reform and a single-payer system.
• We have participated in and led student actions to oppose fee cuts and tuition hikes. Our student organizers helped organize rallies of thousands at UCLA and across Southern California.
• In 2009, ANSWER has expanded its presence in Southern California, holding regular events in Los Angeles, the South Bay, Orange County, Riverside and San Diego. Our members in Riverside helped mount two mass counter-protests against racist Nazis.
• ANSWER has continued to have regular meetings and forums. For the sixth year, ANSWER has sponsored a monthly fi lm series. The latest film, “Salud!” illustrated the high-quality health care in Cuba and pointed out the grave defi ciencies in the U.S. for-profit system.
The above list is not exhaustive by any means, but I believe it gives a sense of important role that the ANSWER Coalition plays in so many critical areas.
We hope that you will make a contribution to help us continue and expand our work. We know that these are difficult economic times because they are very difficult times for us. So, please, help us by making a very generous donation today.
Los Angeles & Around the Country...
Anti-War Movement Hits the Streets
on 8th Anniversary of Afghanistan War
Within days of ordering the invasion of Afghanistan, George W. Bush predicted an easy victory: "People often ask me, 'how long will this last?' It may happen tomorrow, it may happen a month from now, it may take a year or two, but we will prevail." Another fine example of Bush's "deep understanding" of the countries he ordered invaded.
Although there were no Afghans on the planes that struck on September 11, tens of thousands are now dead from the invasion and occupation. So too are nearly 1,500 troops from the U.S./NATO forces. If the Generals get their way those numbers will shoot way up in a war and occupation that will last for years to come. People in Afghanistan, including those who despise the reactionary policies of the Taliban, view the foreign military intervention as a colonial-type occupation.
At home, anti-war protests are spreading. Dozens of actions took place on Wednesday the 8th anniversary of the invasion Bush ordered. They demanded an immediate end to the war. That position is emerging as a majority sentiment according to recent polls.
Wednesday's demonstrations took place in more cities than ever since the start of the invasion of Afghanistan (Oct. 7, 2001). The ANSWER Coalition has initiated a mass national March on Washington (along with coordinated actions in L.A. and San Francisco) for Saturday, March 20. Many organizations are working together to build the spring action.
We can’t do it without your help. Please make an urgently needed donation today to help build these demonstrations.
Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, over 300 people came out to protest the war on Afghanistan. Longtime progressives in the anti-war movement and new activists alike chanted outside the Westwood Federal Building. "Hey Obama, yes we can, troops out of Afghanistan!" rang out loudly as passing cars honked in support.
Vietnam veteran and author Ron Kovic addressed the crowd: "It's so important that we are out here tonight to oppose this terrible war. Keep fighting. We will continue to build this movement."
The ANSWER Coalition initiated the action, which was endorsed by dozens of organizations. It was covered widely in the English and Spanish-language media. Below are links to great news stories about the L.A. protest:
ABC News Video KTLA News Video
Press TV Video (Opens with Windows Media Player or similar program). You can also find it here.
Chicago
In Chicago on Oct. 7, over 300 people came out to a protest on Michigan Ave. to demand an immediate end to the war on Afghanistan. Youth and students were the biggest contingent at the action.
Protesters joined together in loud and vibrant chants of "Money for Jobs, Health Care and Education, Not War and Occupation!"
The protest was initiated by ANSWER Chicago and endorsed by dozens of organizations.
San Francisco
More than 250 people joined a spirited after-work picket line and rally at the new Federal Building in San Francisco.
A large number of anti-war and community organizations, along with Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, called for the immediate, unconditional end of the occupation and war in Afghanistan. They pointed out that, in addition to the growing loss of human life, the financial cost of the Afghanistan occupation will rise to nearly $200 billion this year alone.
The protest was initiated by the ANSWER Coalition and endorsed by many organizations.
... and elsewhere around the country
Demonstrations also took place in cities across the country, including Boulder, Colorado; Dunedin, Jacksonville and North Miami, Florida; Bloomington, Indiana; Lafayette, Louisiana; Boston, Massachusetts; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Twin Cities and St. Cloud, Minnesota; Princeton and Trenton, New Jersey; New York City and Rochester, New York; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington.
ANSWER in the Natinoal News:
TIME Magazine "A Brief History Of Anti-War Movements in the U.S."
Yesterday, TIME Magazine published the following article: "Oct. 7 marks the eighth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan — a war that has slouched from campaign to crusade to near-quagmire as the U.S. has rethought and redefined its strategy in the War on Terror. According to a recent CBS/New York Times poll, 53% of Americans now say that things are going badly for the U.S. in Afghanistan. And few are saying that as vehemently those who have picked the anniversary as their day to demonstrate. Student organizations on 25 college campuses, along with members of anti-war groups like the coalition Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) and Veterans for Peace, are holding rallies on Oct. 7; others have already descended on Washington. On Oct. 5, 61 people were arrested in a demonstration in the capital, including Cindy Sheehan, the one-time face of the Iraq anti-war movement, who chained herself to the fence of the White House. ..." Read more
Join ANSWER in the Struggle to Overturn Prop. 8!
LGBT Equality Now! Keep the Struggle in the Streets!
Click Here to Volunteer to Overturn Prop. 8
The California Supreme Court upheld the bigoted Prop 8, denying same-sex couples the same rights granted to heterosexual couples. The decision is an outrage, plain and simple. No tiny, elite body of wealthy men and women should be able to decide the rights of millions of LGBT people, who suffer systematic discrimination. Let's be clear, with Prop. 8, the "people" have not spoken. The rich, right-wing religious institutions and other homophobes have tried to push an entire community back into the closet. Now, the California Supreme Court has joined them. As the politicians and courts capitulate to reaction and sell out the LGBT community, what’s needed is an independent, unified civil rights movement.
Despite these temporary setbacks, we can fight back and win! The wave of same-sex marriage victories the country shows that the clock will not be turned back on this struggle. We will soon be victorious in California and everywhere. But we can't do it alone. We need to stand together with all working people--gay and straight; women and men; Black, Latino, Asian, Arab, Native, white and everyone--because the struggle must grow as big and united as possible.
Prop 8 will only be overturned through mass opposition in the streets. The demonstrations today are a step in that direction, but we can’t stop here or wait for another referendum. We must stay in the streets if we are going to win. An injury to the LGBT community is an injury to all!
Click Here to Volunteer to Overturn Prop. 8
The ANSWER Coalition has played a key role in the fight to overturn Prop. 8. ANSWER organized the largest pro-LGBT protest in L.A. history on Nov. 8, 2008, just days after the bigoted ballot measure passed. It's time to march once again. No matter what the outcome is, we'll march for equality until discrimination and bigotry are defeated in California and throughout the U.S. Help us raise the level struggle for equality in the streets of Southern California. Let’s build a united people’s movement against war, racism, homophobia and sexism. An injury to one is an injury to all!
For more info call 213-251-1025 or email answerla@answerla.org.
ANSWER Coalition Report
Tens of Thousands March on May Day
In LA, Thousands Demand ‘Legalization now!’
Tens of thousands of immigrants and supporters came out to march on May Day in Los Angeles and around the country. Large marches happened in L.A., Chicago, Northern California, and New York City. Braving the swine flu scare, which included media fear mongering, families skipped work and school to hit the streets for immigrant rights.
In Los Angeles, the epicenter of the immigrant rights struggle, there were at least four marches on May 1. The largest and most spirited demonstration by far also came first in the day. Organized by the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition, the march gathered at 12 noon and stepped off shortly thereafter with many thousands of people chanting “What do we want? Legalization! When? Now!” in Spanish and English. A national news broadcast on Unavision reported that over 15,000 people marched with the coalition.
The march began with the ceremonial releasing of 100 doves by coalition leaders, including representatives from Latino Movement USA, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, ANSWER Coalition, Laborers’ International Union of North America, United Teachers Los Angeles, Alliance of Guatemalans, Alliance of Hondurans, Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines, Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas en Norteamérica and others. A photo of this ceremony was prominently featured in the Los Angeles Times on May 2 (see the photo below).
Shortly thereafter, nearly 1,000 students who walked out of nearby high schools joined the march, chanting loudly, “¡Obama ecucha, estamos en la lucha! (Obama, listen—we are in the struggle!)
With the crowd swelling, the march made its way up Broadway, the main commercial artery in downtown Los Angeles. Shoppers and passersby joined the action along the route. Workers in buildings lining the street opened windows and waved flags in support of the march below.
A brief program at the march’s conclusion hit on the themes of the day: winning legalization for all the undocumented workers and families in the U.S.; stopping the racist ICE raids terrorizing immigrants; and winning better workers rights for all. Rally co-chairs Juan Jose Gutierrez, Latino Movement USA, and Raul Murillo, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, voiced the demands of the energetic and determined crowd: “President Obama made a solemn pledge to bring comprehensive immigration reform in his first 100 days in office. He has not done that. We must continue to struggle to win legalization for everyone. We will not stop marching until we prevail,” said Gutierrez.
The ANSWER Coalition had two speakers at the rally: ANSWER L.A. coordinator Preston Wood, and youth coordinator Carlos Alvarez. ANSWER fully mobilized for this action and had a large contingent in the march.
Wood was the second speaker at the rally, following UTLA president A.J. Duffy. Wood told the crowd:
“We are here to demand justice, dignity and equality for everyone. We want legalization, but we can’t stop there—we demand an end to exploitation and discrimination of all forms. We need more workers’ rights, more union jobs, and access to affordable health care, education and housing for all. This is not out of reach. Our labor creates all the wealth in society—we deserve to reap the benefits.
“Sisters and brothers, if we keep the struggle alive, we will win. No politician will ever talk about what we need if we just sit quietly at home. This has always been true: from the labor movement to the Civil Rights movement and the immigrant rights movement today.
“Whether you are Latino, Asian, Arab, African American or white—we are united here in struggle. Winning equality for undocumented workers is a necessary step toward achieving justice for everyone. Let’s keep fighting!”
The May 1 protest was a major undertaking. We can't continue our immigrant rights work without the support of the large number of people who stand for full equality now. Please click this link right now to make a generous donation.
On March 21, 2009, the 6th Anniversary of the Iraq War...
More than 10,000 March on Pentagon
Over 4,000 Protest in Los Angeles
Demonstrators Confront the U.S. War Machine!
 In Washington, D.C., 10,000 marched on the Pentagon on March 21. As the Associated Press noted, a "throng of war protesters swelled Saturday as they marched across the Memorial Bridge." The protesters marched on the Pentagon and what followed was a dramatic direct action at Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and KBR, corporations that demonstrators labeled "merchants of death."
The predominantly young crowd continued to grow as the day proceeded. They marched through the Pentagon north Parking Lot and then into downtown Crystal City, where the leading war corporations' headquarters are located.
The march was led by a contingent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. James Circello, an Iraq war veteran and member of the Veterans and Service Members Task Force of the ANSWER Coalition, said, “We refuse to accept the new administration’s attempts to rewrite the history of the occupation of Iraq into that of a humanitarian mission." There was a significant delegation from members of the Arab and Muslim communities and many students participated.
At least 4,000 demonstrated in San Francisco, where police carried out violent attacks on demonstrators and arrested numerous people.
4,000 March in Los Angeles
“The Obama administration has continued the Bush plan on Iraq. But I’ve got something to say to the President: he must end the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan immediately. And the government must begin taking care of veterans and all people right here in the United States. There are too many homeless; there are too many unemployed. Being in the streets today is the most important place to be.” --Ron Kovic
Kovic, Vietnam veteran and author of “Born on the Fourth of July” delivered a rousing, yet solemn speech to 4,000 protesters in Los Angeles on the sixth anniversary of the war. Kovic spoke at the end of the day as veterans and students delivered 40 coffins draped with Iraqi, Afghani, Palestinian and U.S. flags to the doorstep of the Hollywood military recruitment center.
March 21 was a historic protest for LA because it was a militant, veteran- and youth-led action that culminated in a series of dramatic actions targeting the U.S. war machine. The surging energy of the crowd was palpable throughout the day.
A rally with community leaders; anti-war, union and student activists, kicked-off the action. “Today is a new beginning for the anti-war movement,” said Michael Prysner, Iraq war veteran and member of the Veterans and Service Members Task Force of the ANSWER Coalition. "We are initiating a new period of struggle against the racist policies of the U.S. war machine.”
Other speakers included Hamid Khan, South Asian Network; Jollene Levid, GABRIELA Network; Christine Araquel, Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines; Blase Bonpane, Office of the Americas; David Clennon, Screen Actors Guild; Chloe Osmer, National Assembly to End the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; Muna Coobtee, ANSWER Coalition and Free Palestine Alliance; Mahmud Ahmad, Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition; Shakeel Syed, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California; Ryan Endicott, Iraq Veterans Against the War; Tina Richards, Veterans for Peace; Marylou Cabral, Cal State Long Beach student and leader of Youth & Student ANSWER; Carlos Alvarez, Party for Socialism and Liberation; Jim Lafferty, National Lawyers Guild; Sidney Ross-Risden, Global Women's Strike; Sarah Knop, International Socialist Organization, and others. Rebels to the Grain performed political hip-hop and The People's Party played political music along the march route. The rally was chaired by Tamara Khoury, a Palestinian student and ANSWER organizer at Cal State Fullerton, and Peta Lindsay of ANSWER, who also led chants during the march.
After the rally, protesters marched behind a procession of mock coffins through Hollywood chanting "Occupation is a crime, from Iraq to Palestine!" and "Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!"
 After winding past the CNN building and the LGBT center, the march stepped onto Hollywood Blvd. and continued to Highland, the busiest area in Los Angeles. The march stopped in front of the famous Kodak Theatre where ANSWER organizers led a symbolic “die-in” to dramatize the affect of imperialist wars on innocent people. Thousands lay down in the middle of the street as the sound of bombs and air raid sirens blared over loudspeakers. Thousands of bystanders watched the action with rapt attention on the sidewalks nearby. As people stood up, they chanted "Stop the wars" louder and louder, with their fists held high in the air.
Then, the crowd successfully delivered mock coffins to the recruitment station, where veterans and organizers faced off with a line of police. A brief closing rally featured Ron Kovic; Muna Coobtee, Free Palestine Alliance; and veterans and military families. The action highlighted the terrible costs of the war machine on innocent people abroad and working-class troops in the U.S.
People from all over Southern California mobilized for March 21. “I’m a student who can barely afford to stay in school, and I’m so mad about the war and tuition hikes. This was the most powerful action I have ever been a part of. It makes me want to do more—everything I can, to stop this system,” said Yasmin Abdullah, a Lebanese American student at Los Angeles Valley College.
Another protester, Miguel Herrera, a retail worker from East Los Angeles, said March 21 was his first protest. Herrera said that, at first, he didn’t think people would demonstrate after Obama got elected, but “now that we are out here together in the thousands, I’m so glad to be here. It really shows me that people can make a difference by coming together in common struggle.”
March 21 was a vibrant action which showed that the struggle for justice continues. "The people united, can stop the wars!"
For more info call 213-251-1025 or email answerla@answerla.org.
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