Justice Not War Campaign Joins 100,000 
in NY vs U.S. Ocupation in Iraq

Filipino anti-war and anti-imperialist activists in New York and other U.S. cities as well as in Europe and the rest of the world joined hundreds and thousands of protesters on March 20 to denounce the U.S. occupation of Iraq. March 20 marked the first year of the U.S.-led coalition invasion of Iraq. 

By Bulatlat.com  

The Justice Not War in the Philippines Campaign joined ranks with about 100,000 marchers in the streets of New York last March 20 to dramatize their opposition to the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq, the Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines (Nispop) reported from New York.

Chanting “Occupation is a crime from Iraq, the Philippines to Palestine!” Filipinos and solidarity friends numbering over 50 carried colorful banners, flags and placards. The march extended down 45 of New York City’s blocks on the one year anniversary of the second U.S.-led coalition invasion of Iraq.

Leah Obias, a member of Nispop, spoke on stage on behalf of the Justice Not War in the Philippines Campaign and expressed the solidarity of Filipinos with Iraqis and all who face U.S. occupation.

"The U.S. War of Terror has been used to justify the derailment of peace negotiations with revolutionary groups, and to justify a $356 million aid package while Bush overlooked the 47,000 human rights violations reported since 2001," Obias’ said as her voice rang out at least one mile down Madison Avenue through large speakers placed every few blocks.

“The ongoing resistance of the Iraqi people may have slowed down the U.S. military’s plans to beef up its intervention in the Philippines,” said Amanda Vender, also of Nispop. “But lately the US government’s fingerprints are still all over Philippine politics with George Bush’s request for another $164 million in military aid to the Philippines for 2005, and the U.S.’ listing of progressive Filipino Jose Maria Sison as a ‘terrorist.’ This is a huge obstacle to the progress of the peace talks between the revolutionary group, the National Democratic Front, and the Philippine government, as Sison is a consultant to the NDF.”

The Justice Not War contingent carried banners and placards reading: “Hands Off the Philippines!” U.S. Troops out of the Philippines!” and “Makibaka, Huwag Matakot!” (Fight, Never Fear!) Filipino domestic workers from the DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association carried caricatures of Presidents Bush and Arroyo reading: “G.W. Bush # 1 Terrorist” and “G.M. Arroyo # 1 Puppet,” respectively, Nispop also reported.

In the months leading up to the march, the New York City Police Department did what it could to deter people from attending the march by telling would-be demonstrators that they would be penned behind metal barricades. Several members of the Justice Not War in the Philippines contingent had difficulty reaching the meeting place at 25th Street and Madison Avenue as police detained them behind barricades.

“The attempts to prevent people from coming out on Saturday didn’t work,” said Carolyn Antonio, member of Gabriela Network NY/NJ and member of the coordinating committee of the Women’s Anti-Imperialist League (WAIL). “The NYPD is practicing its tactics to figure out how to crush the massive protests at the Republican National Convention this coming September. But we will not give up our right to demonstrate and to voice our opinion against the US drive for empire.”

Similar Philippine anti-war contingents affiliated with Bayan, Gabriela and the International League of Peoples Struggles (ILPS) joined other marches in other cities of the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific on March 20. Bulatlat.com

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