A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition: Update on Anti-War Protests

Media Release
March 17, 2006

Press contacts:
Sarah Sloan, D.C.: 202-904-7949
Jeanette Caceres, NYC: 646-637-6814
Carlos Alvarez, L.A.: 323-464-1636
Bill Hackwell, S.F: 415-269-7917

Interviews available upon request

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TENS OF THOUSANDS WILL PROTEST
IN HUNDREDS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL ACTIONS
ON THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR

"The massive aerial bombing of Iraqi towns yesterday - three years after the criminal 'shock and awe' assault on Iraq - shows that the war is about occupation not liberation. During this weekend, on the third anniversary of the start of the war, tens of thousands of anti-war protesters will take to the street in more than 400 local and regional protests," stated Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition.

"This is a shift in tactics for the anti-war movement. On September 24, we rallied 300,000 people around the White House in one large concentrated protest, with large sister actions in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This weekend the anti-war movement is going into cities, towns and neighborhoods in decentralized actions. The anti-war sentiment is now the majority sentiment and we expect that there will be a tremendous response on the streets," said Becker.

"Three years ago, in the months leading up to the start of the Iraq war, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition rallied hundreds of thousands of people in the streets all over the country to try to stop the war before it started. Everything we said about Bush's war has proven to be true. It was based on recycled and discredited lies and shifting rationales. More than 150,000 Iraqis are now assumed dead as a consequence of the invasion, tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers have either been killed or wounded, and the price tag for the war now exceeds half a trillion dollars. All around the country this weekend voices are being raised demanding that all U.S. troops be brought home, not next month, not next week, but today," Becker continued.

PROTESTING ON THE 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE "SHOCK AND AWE" INVASION

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition joined with antiwar organizations globally in calling for March 18-20, 2006, to be Global Days of Action. A.N.S.W.E.R.'s Call to Action, which was issued on November 11, has received support and interest from people and groups around the country and the world. There will be more than 300 actions in the United States alone. (See the partial list below). Coordinated demonstrations will be held in countries around the world on this the third anniversary of Bush's criminal aggression against the people of Iraq.

On Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19, 2006, locally-coordinated demonstrations will take place in cities and towns across the U.S. and around the world, including in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Seattle, and many, many more.

- To find March 18-20 events across the country, click here:
http://www.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MAR_copy_of_ANS_March18_19_actions

- Read the Call to Action
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=MAR_&page=NewsArticle&id=7520#call

PARTIAL LIST OF MARCH 18-20 ACTIONS:
Mobile, AL; Phoenix, AZ; Bodega, CA; Eureka, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Petaluma, CA; San Francisco, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; Ventura, CA; New Haven, CT; Washington, DC; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Gainesville, FL; Miami, FL; Naples, FL; Orlando, FL; Pensacola, FL; Sarasota, FL; Waleska, GA; Chicago, IL; Covington, LA; New Orleans, LA; Duluth, MN; Minneapolos, MN; Bergen County, NJ; Albuquerque, NM; Gallup, NM; Charlotte, NC; Fayetteville, NC; Las Vegas, NV; Reno, NV; New York City, NY; Fredonia, NY; Rochester, NY; Columbus, OH; Norman, OK; Oklahoma, OK; Enterprise, OR; Salem, OR; Harrisburg, PA; Charleston, SC; Knoxville, TN; Memphis, TN; College Station, TX; Richmond, VA; Seattle, WA; Milwaukee, WI; Stevens Point, WI

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS:
http://www.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MAR_copy_of_ANS_March18_19_actions

**On Sunday, March 19, and Monday, March 20, Youth & Student actions will take place in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other towns and cities around the country.**

- To find Youth & Student events across the country, click here:
http://answer.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MAR_copy_of_ANS_March20_StudentCall