This call to action comes from a number of different organizations and individuals involved in the anti-war movement. Our organizing experiences have left us feeling disappointed in ourselves and in the movement as a whole. Organizing against the war in Iraq has led us to believe that marching and chanting has not made enough of an impact nor done enough to end the brutal realities of the occupation. This has got to change.
On March 19 and 20th 2007, we call for worldwide days of resistance to the imperialist, racist and senseless war in Iraq. We propose occupations, acts of civil disobedience, and direct action. We propose that these acts of resistance be directed towards governments, military recruitment centers, corporations, and other institutions that perpetuate American empire and war.
We call for the support of any and all actions people take against the war and for people to respect a diversity of tactics. This means standing in solidarity with all forms of resistance to the war. Although people may not always agree upon every course of action, we should not actively oppose other people’s forms of resistance.
We call for people to organize and take action at the local level and to make decisions democractically. We need to be organizing from the bottom up, not putting time and resources into another top-down permitted march in Washington. Anyone involved in this day of action deserves the right to make their own decisions as they are in the best position to know what can and can't work in their own cities and states. By coordinating our efforts through communication, regional consultas and statewide meetings we will maintain local autonomy while building important connections and relationships.
We call for this day of action to be used as a catalyst for community outreach and organizing around the war. We need to start talking with people in our neighborhoods, not just the same old crowd. In using this day as something to build towards, we won't just be taking action for the sake of action; We will be using that action to build a stronger resistance to the war.
It is time to confront the failures of the anti-war movement by planning ahead, taking risks, making demands, and creating consequences. March 20th, 2007 will be a day to show the world that we recognize how deep the blood of imperialism runs in Iraq and to demonstrate that our rising resistance will run deeper!
To add your organization to the list of endorsers or to join the listserve for this day of action, contact da @ direct-action.net for more information: www.direct-action.net