From the national ANSWER Coalition comes information on US demonstrations planned for next Sat., March 19. Actions will also be taking place in many more cities. as well as in cities across the planet.
San Francisco
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 10 has called "stop work meetings" to shut down Bay Area and other West Coast ports in solidarity with the International Day of Protests.
Air America and KPFA Pacifica radio will both be doing live broadcasts of the rally. website.
Los Angeles
Speakers will include Ron Kovic; Maria Elena Durazo, President of UNITE HERE Local 11; Actor Mimi Kennedy; Sal Rosselli, President, SEIU Local 250; and many more. Performers will include: Conspiracy of Thought, the Freedom People, Patty Lagana and the Sunshine Brothers, hip-hop artist Farmer John and more. website
Here in L.A., we’ve been organizing and mobilizing for this for months. Tens of thousands of flyers have been distributed. Through working with coaliton partners and endorsing groups, we’ve gotten the word out through dozens of other organizations. Posters have been put up all over L.A.
I’ll be driving the lead truck, the truck that leads the march, and plan to podcast Ron Kovic’s speech. While estimating in advance how large a demo will be is tricky, this time there have been satellite protests to build for L.A., one yesterday in Oxnard, one this Friday in Riverside, and this hasn’t happened before. Plus, buses are coming from many areas. So, I’m guessing it’ll be sizable.
Fayetteville, NC
This will be the major east coast demonstration. Rather than D.C., this time the focus will be on Fort Bragg.
Fayetteville, North Carolina is the home of Fort Bragg, 82nd Airborne, Special Force. More than 45,000 military personnel are stationed there. Thousands of people from across the South and East Coast are organizing buses, vans and car caravans to be at the regional march and rally in Fayetteville on March 19.
Camilo Mejia – who was released February 15 after serving 9 months at the Oklahoma Army prison – will be speaking. After spending 6 months in combat in Iraq, Camilo refused to return after his 2-week return to the U.S. Michael Berg, father of Nicholas Berg, will be traveling from West Chester, Pennsylvania, to speak.
New York City
In New York City, gather at 10 am for a rally at Marcus Garvey Park. Following the rally, march to the military recruiting station on 125th St. and then to the East Meadow in Central Park.
Speakers will include former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Rev. Lucius Walker, human rights lawyer Lynne Stewart, members of the NY City Council, and others.
Chicago
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney will head a list of speakers that includes high school students who have conducted a struggle against the military takeover of their school; a Marine who refused orders to go to Iraq; the father of a GI killed in Afghanistan.