SIGN ON - Int'l call Boycott US war Iraq

by For Mother Earth Saturday, Mar. 01, 2003 at 1:32 AM
international@motherearth.org +32-9-242 87 52

This is an international call for a boycott of the US war economy. The American economy is directly linked to the war on Iraq. Oil companies and arms companies, in particular, stand to make huge profits from a war on Iraq. The Bush Administration is prepared to go to war unilaterally, with or without a UN resolution. Consumers worldwide can say "NO"

On February 15th, millions of people around the world took to the streets to express opposition to the coming war on Iraq. Opinion polls around the world show a large majority of citizens do not want a war in Iraq. The Bush Administration has decided to ignore these people - including millions of US citizens - who demand a peaceful resolution to the Iraqi conflict. The Bush Administration is also prepared to go to war unilaterally, with or without a UN resolution. We have demonstrated and are being ignored. We must therefore adopt more effective non-violent means to stop this war - we must boycott US products until the Bush administration has stopped its military aggression against Iraq.

The American economy is directly linked to the war on Iraq. Oil companies and arms companies, in particular, stand to make huge profits from a war on Iraq. Many other companies are relying on the US war machine to open up and secure markets for them around the world. Many of these companies contributed directly or indirectly to the campaign funds of George W. Bush. Focusing on doing economic damage to specific companies will send a clear signal that there can be no more business as usual, as long as those businesses contribute to, and benefit from, a war on Iraq.

We will contact the US companies that we are boycotting, to ask for their help to convince President Bush of the need for a diplomatic solution to the Iraqi conflict. To choose to boycott is not an easy choice. Many people rely on American products in their daily life. This action is not targeted against the American people -- many already suffer from a sinking economy (uninsured, unemployed, homeless…) and a fear of growing anti-Americanism around the world.

We are not anti-American, or pro-Saddam. In fact, we realize that a war on Iraq will not only kill and hurt hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, but that it will also further destabilize the region, leading to greater anti-American sentiment and increased threats of terrorist attacks on US soil. The money that is currently being spent on preparing for war could provide a higher standard of living for everyone in the US, and solve many of the most pressing global problems.

Many boycotts of US products have already been called, against the war and for other reasons. We support these initiatives, and aim to centralize this information, as well as providing information on the links between other US companies and the war on Iraq.

We hope this boycott will help to make a difference between war and peace, life and death, destruction and reconstruction.

--------------------------------------------------Sign up to support the boycott:

please sign on through our website

http://www.motherearth.org/USboycott

Original: SIGN ON - Int'l call Boycott US war Iraq