Thousands Engage in Nonviolent Civil Disobedience to Protest Iraq War

Interview with Gordon Clark, coordinator of the Iraq Pledge of Resistance, conducted by Between the Lines' Scott Harris

With U.S. and British troops now battling for control of Baghdad and occupying many of Iraq's other major cities, the discussion in American media has largely turned to the issue of post-war occupation. Although it is uncertain how and when this illegal war might end, it is clear that much of the international community, particularly the Arab and Islamic world, is viewing the thousands of civilian casualties and widespread destruction of Iraq with horror and outrage.

Here in the U.S., tens of thousands of opponents of the Bush administration's war continue their campaign of street protests and increasingly, since the war began -- employed the tactic of nonviolent civil disobedience. In major cities and towns around the U.S. police have arrested thousands of protesters who have engaged in blockades and sit-ins at various symbolic targets including federal buildings and busy intersections. Some protests have targeted major U.S. media outlets for their bias in covering the war while others have aimed their demonstrations at companies like the Carlyle Group, a Republican Party-connected investment firm and military contractor.

One of the most recent violent confrontations between law enforcement and anti-war protesters took place on April 7th, when Oakland, California police shot wooden dowel bullets, sting balls and beanbag rounds at several hundred picketers outside a shipping company handling U.S. military cargo. Some 20 protesters were injured and 30 arrested in what demonstration organizers described as an unprovoked attack -- denying charges that rock throwing by their members set off police violence.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Gordon Clark, coordinator of the Iraq Pledge of Resistance, who discusses the tactic of nonviolent civil disobedience now being practiced by thousands of opponents of the U.S. war on Iraq.

Contact the Iraq Pledge of Resistance by calling (301) 608-2450 or visit their Web site at www.peacepledge.org

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