September 21st and every 3rd
Friday of the month from then on, protests against the Iraq war
will be taking place across the USA. That is the aim and hope
of a growing group of activists deeply dissatisfied with the
slow pace of change when it comes to the outrageous and illegal Iraq war and occupation. (Check out: www.iraqmoratorium.org)
The idea is rather straightforward. On
the 3rd Friday of every month, there are to be protests across
the USA. The
protests may take the form of people wearing armbands, or it
might be that people choose not to buy anything other than
necessities. It may be that individuals stay home from
work, or it might be that there are picket lines in front of
military recruitment centers. Whatever form(s) it takes,
the point is the same. The war must stop and there will
no longer be a climate of business-as-usual while Iraqis are
killed in almost incalculable numbers and the ticker continues
to click off as one after another US soldier
loses his or her life.
Not only is it critical that
we who object to this war do more than hold periodic national
demonstrations, it is equally important that Black America
demonstrate its own rejection of the war. This should
not be difficult. A recent media report identified that
Black Americans are not signing onto the military, including
those of us from military families. The reasons were
clear: in numbers that outpace ANY other segment of the
population, we deeply oppose the Iraq war and occupation.
September 21st, therefore,
must be our day to launch protests. Nearly
25 months after the Katrina disaster, our protests against
the war are as much protests against the political and economic
disaster that followed from Hurricane Katrina. Each day
evacuees remain dispersed throughout the USA and
little is done to make the Gulf Coast the home for its native population, the war in Iraq proceeds
on. Despite all evidence that this is not only an illegal
war but that it is one that is not succeeding, the Bush administration
continues to puts its hands over its ears and eyes and press
on, pressing on with US soldiers, our money, and the lives
of the Iraqi population. This happens, and evacuees remain
uprooted, New Orleans remains
a disaster zone and, yes, bridges collapse in Minneapolis. The
resources so desperately needed here are evaporating, all in
the name of a war that should never have been.
It is time for Black America
to collectively demonstrate our outrage over this war. Whether
through special meetings on campuses, religious services at
our institutions, rallies, or just black arm-bands, we can
make it clear that we want no part of this war and that this
war will NOT be prosecuted in our name.
We should also be clear that
this is only an initial step. The Bush administration
has made it obvious that it will listen to no one other than
itself when it comes to Iraq policy. If that is the
case, will it listen to the silence when millions decide to
pull back from everyday life and eventually bring this country
to a halt?
The time has passed for assuming
that our periodic national expressions of horror and opposition
will result in an awakening of the conscience of this Administration. This
Administration has no conscience, which means that we must
respond with power. That power will be found in our capacity
to illustrate, through our own actions, what we mean by no
more business as usual.
BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board member, Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a
labor and international writer and activist, and the immediate
past president of TransAfrica Forum. Click
here to contact Mr. Fletcher.