Huge Month of Demonstrations

by D. Burbeck Wednesday, Apr. 05, 2006 at 12:32 PM

Not to mention the immigration bill protests, March saw massive demonstrations all over the world. Two international action days - International Woman's Day, and the Iraq War anniversary - brought hundreds of thousands out protesting the war and the Bush Administration.

The weekend of the 18th, some cities had actions both

days as the war moved into it's fourth year. San Francisco

held "8 days of anarchy" which started the 14th to mark the

repulsive occasion. London had the largest as the crowd

grew to an estimated 100,000. Organizers stated that over

500 cities participated in the US.

On International Woman's Day, women held demonstrations

and vigils all over the world against the Iraq war in some cases

in bitter cold wind and rain. In DC, they marched "to the White

House to deliver the Women's Call for Peace and more than

100,000 signatures."

Military recruiting stations in Lansing, Raliegh, Lakewood, Oh, Harlem

and Northern Illinois University saw protests even though these protesters

are being labeled as terrorists by the NSA and the DIA.

"Cindy sheehan (Medea Benjamin and two others were) roughed up by

police. Had permisson to deliver petition (at the United Nations), but it

was withdrawn later by someone high up."

Demonstrations at the homes of gov't. officials continued with protests at

Cheney's and Spector's home, Feinstein's, Hastert's, and Wyden's office, the

White House, the offices of ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Halliburton,

Bechtel, Carlyle Group, and the entrance to a Raytheon missle system plant.

Also, "Activists marched on the Pentagon, on March 20, 2006. In a direct

action, a symbolic coffin was hoisted over a fence by the protesters at the

facility,"

"Two activists were arrested ........... at the House Appropriations

Committee hearing. ...............Voices for Creative Nonviolence, interrupted

the hearing to call for an end to funding of the war against Iraq."

As Bush visited India and Pakastan in the first week of the month, many

cities there erupted for several days as thousands took to the streets. "A

nationwide strike ...... paralysed Pakistan on Friday ahead of the arrival

of U.S. President George W. Bush a day after a suicide car bomber

killed an American diplomat and two other people." He, and Condi also,

were met with protests at several other speech appearances.

"Vancouver's "Death of Democracy" funeral procession was over thirty

cars long, following a truck-caisson carrying a flag-draped casket."

"Ray McGovern and 15 others took action today in the halls of Congress.

The 16 donned orange jumpsuits similar to those worn by detainees at

Guant namo Bay. They wore gags over their mouths decorated with

one word - torture. Not another word needed to be said as they walked

the halls of Congress. McGovern, a 27-year veteran of the CIA, also

returned his Intelligence Commendation Award Medallion which was

given to him for "especially commendable service." He delivered the

medal to Congressman Pete Hoekstra..........."

Two small towns in Vermont voted "to initiate impeachment proceedings

against Bush".

The most gruelling demonstration was "A 241 mile march that aimed

at ensuring that the Latino voice of opposition to the War is heard loud

and clear across the Americas," started in Tijuana and ended in San

Francisco.

For these and over 190 reports from March, see Protest News:

http://www.angelfire.com/nb2/www.dissentam.org/Mar6.html

Original: Huge Month of Demonstrations