Regardless of the outcome of weapons inspections, the Bush Administration seems poised to soon launch an invasion of Iraq. In response, the antiwar movement is gearing up for a series of nationwide protests, highlighted by major actions planned forFebruary 15.
A coalition of antiwar groups, United for Peace and Justice, is stagingwhat is likely to be a large and spirited event in New York City on the 15th. Mayor Bloomberg’s office however has been so uncooperative that event organizers were forced to file a federal lawsuit last Wednesday against the City over its refusal to issue a march permit.
Permission was requested to assemble near the United Nations, followed by a short march through Manhattan to a rally location near Central Park. The City countered that only a “stationary event,” not a march, would be permitted. The legal wrangling continues but the show will go on. People like Desmond Tutu, Julian Bond, Danny Glover, and Patti Smith are already signed on to partcipate and bus caravans are being organized nationwide.
You can help by calling both Mayor Bloomberg’s office and the NYPD today and politely insisting that a permit be issued.
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg: 212-788-9600, 212-788-3010, 212-788-3040NYC Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly: 646-610-8526
You can also help by getting people out on the streets next Saturday. Leaflets for February 15 are available for downloading in English, Spanish, Korean, French and Creole.
For those who live closer to the West Coast, there’ll be another major antiwar protest on Sunday, February 16, in San Francisco.
