The Anti-War Committee is celebrating 10 years of resistance and solidarity! We want to include your memories in the celebration. Did you do civil disobedience with us? Join us on an international solidarity trip? Did you spend ride across the country with us to go to a national demonstration? Tell us about it.
Please email us your favorite photos or stories from AWC events to info@antiwarcommittee.org. Or click the link “comment” link below to leave your message.
And join us at the party, Saturday, January 31 @ 7pm @ Waite House Community Center, 2529 13th Ave S, Mpls.
Dear friends and comrades of the Anti-War Committee,
I could write several pages about my memories of your work, but I will try to be concise. I remember meeting several members of the AWC in Bogotá, Colombia, when I and several SDS’ers participated in a solidarity delegation organized by the Colombia Action Network. Right from the start I was impressed by how courageous and professional these activists were. It was truly an honor to participate in this delegation with the AWC, and I learned a great deal from discussions with your members. You all made the delegation a real success and were an inspiration to all the NC students who attended.
In 2007 I had the privilege of being invited by the AWC to speak at a program in Minneapolis on the Iraqi resistance. At a time when the war in Iraq was raging at its most intense levels, the AWC had the courage to organize an event that was controversial, yet absolutely crucial to our understanding of the war and building effective solidarity with the Iraqi people. That to me is what defines the spirit of the AWC: to do the right thing, even if you have to stick your neck out, and to stay true to principles in the face of adversity.
Many pages could be written about the RNC work and the fantastic job that AWC members did in planning and leading the biggest antiwar demonstration of 2008. Suffice it to say that without your tireless efforts, we would not have had the corporate media splitting the television screens between McCain’s speech and the mass protests outside! I had to leave early but was inspired to see online video of brave AWC’ers facing off with riot police on Day 4.
I keep up with your activism through Fight Back! newspaper and it is always an inspiration to see you all raising the level of struggle and blazing a trail of resistance and solidarity.
Finally, I would like to wish many happy returns of the day, except to say that I long for the day when the Anti-War Committee will no longer be necessary, and this inhuman, murderous system of oppression and exploitation we call “imperialism” and the wars fought for it, will be banished forever from the face of this planet. But if we are ever to see that day, it will be hard fought for, because it is only through arduous struggle waged by activists such as yourselves, and by strong, militant organizations such as the AWC, that we can hope to end all wars and build a society on the principles of peace, justice, and equality.
In solidarity,
Kosta
Students for a Democratic Society
Chapel Hill, NC
Posted by Anonymous | January 28, 2009, 3:29 pmLike the time I went with the AWC on my very 1st bus trip the D.C. I volunteered to be a bus captain (to help out) and then the night before we left ALL of the people in charge suddenly couldn’t go. I was on a mega phone at the front of the bus telling 50 some people Id just met to get me if they had any problems, thinking “what am I going to do? I can’t even bus myself to a demo most days”. (it’s a favorite memory because nothing actually went wrong) Thanks anti-war committee. You sure know how to get the most out of your volunteers.
Posted by Anonymous | January 28, 2009, 12:23 pmI fondly remember the bus trip to New York City for the protest of 500,000 people at the 2004 RNC against Bush and the war. Less than 3 years after 911, the Republicans opportunistically had their convention in NYC to raise the spectre of 911 to justify the war in Iraq, and 500,000 people came out to say NO to Bush and the war, even though NYC Mayor Bloomberg had refused a permit for the march til the day before, and never approved a permit for the rally after the march in Central Park. We represented well for Minnesota with a great contingent and a banner with flames and Bush with devil horns and a catchy slogan I can’t remember!
I remember delicious Cooks for a Cause meals at AWC fundraisers. Lots of fundraisers!!!
Thankfully I didn’t have to take a bus trip to the 2008 RNC, because the stupid Republicans brought the convention to us to make protesting against it very convenient! Obviously they didn’t do their research very well when picking a city – if they had known the AWC was here they never would have picked St. Paul! I will always remember the AWC’s awesome “No Peace for the Warmakers” march on Day 4 of the 2008 RNC, riot police surging into the crowd at the rally then surrounding the stage, marching as police ordered us to disperse, getting chased by riot police from bridge to bridge trying to get down to the Xcel in St. Paul, riot police on horseback and on foot, cops using bulldozers and snowplows to block streets toward downtown, and finally getting teargassed on University Ave at night fall, getting corralled into the Sears parking lot and then making a great escape to narrowly avoid the mass arrest at the end of the demo! Later going to the jail to welcome people as they got released from jail throughout the night.
I remember driving 20-something hours in a van to Columbus, Georgia in 2001 for the SOA protest and then it rained the whole time we were there, and then having to hop in the van and drive right back after getting rained on non-stop!
I have memories of multiple bus trips to national marches in DC, which have all blurred together in my head so I can’t even remember which is which anymore! But I’m sure they were all against one of the US wars in the Middle East!
I remember at one of those DC marches against the war in Iraq, I thnk in 2007, after 20+ hours in the bus, we get off the bus excited to go protest, we start marching toward the rally starting point, and suddenly we find ourselves trapped in a group of very hostile counterprotesters! Keep in mind we just got off the bus and this is some peoples’ first protest ever! After some chaos, regrouping, and a tactical retreat, we walked back around the bad guys and made it to the actual anti-war march and had a great time.
I remember leaving work at the U one day and heading toward St. Paul on University Avenue and the traffic was totally stopped and I couldn’t figure out why. Then I remembered the AWC was doing a civil disobedience blocking traffic on University Avenue that day in front of Norm Coleman’s office on University! Doh – shoulda taken a different route home, ha ha! Eventually I parked my car and walked the rest of the way to the protest to support the people doing CD.
I remember protesting Clinton about US intervention in Colombia when he spoke at the Fine Line, it must’ve been in 2000 (That’s weird, huh – why was Clinton at the Fine Line? Was he playing sax or something?).
I remember the AWC office at Salem Lutheran on Lyndale. I remember the (short lived!) AWC office at that church on 38th St, I’m blanking on the name now! And of course the AWC office at Utec. Oh yeah, and wasn’t the AWC office in a building off Franklin for a year or so? I forgot about that!
I remember many a protest outside the Library on Hennepin.
I remember Human Rights Day marches.
I remember a lot of marches in insanely cold weather.
I remember the huge anti-war march in St. Paul the day after Wellstone died.
I remember many a AWC table and contingent at Pride, always with a catchy anti-war/pro-pride slogan and theme!
I remember putting lots of labels on newsletters to mail out. I remember making banners and signs.
I remember wine and cheese fundraisers. I remember going to a Lynx basketball game for an AWC fundraiser. I remember delicious baked goods at AWC fundraisers
These are somewhat random memories (ok, they’re VERY random memories). Lots of good memories of doing serious work in building the struggle, and having fun while doing it! Thanks, AWC! – Brad
Posted by Anonymous | January 29, 2009, 1:33 amI don’t remember when this was, but it was at the federal building against the Iraq something or other.
We had to gather in the freezing cold EARLY in the morning outside the Mpls Federal Building. We held a rally with signs and speakers down by 4th Street.
My job: Stand on the corner and keep an eye on the skyway. When I saw the jacketed and respectable looking AWC members in the skyway above the street, I alerted to the rest of the protesters. Then the whole demo started surging towards the doors of the federal building. This of course upset the heck out of the security people and they all rushed outside to block the doors. MEANWHILE, the AWC members had exited the skyway and came down the escalator. They took of their coats, revealing “bloody” Tshirts and held die-in right in the lobby – on the OTHER side of the doors from where the cops were.
It was a hoot!
Posted by Anonymous | January 29, 2009, 4:05 pmThis had to be one of the first AWC demos – against the or Somalia or Bosnia intervention – I can’t remember. It was also one of my early protests, anyhow. I only remember this cuz it was one of those few moments when you say the “right thing” at the right time (and not a few hours later, to yourself).
We were at Peavey Plaza and it was hot. It’s always really hot or really cold at an AWC demo. Anyhow, some jerk came driving up 11th Street and said something jerky. His window was open, so I yelled, “Get out out of the CAR and say that…CHICKEN!!”
I was quite pleased with myself. For the good of all, he never got out of the car. But I think we could have taken him.
Posted by Anonymous | January 29, 2009, 10:18 pmThe Anti-war Committee… (Minnesota) is by far the very best in radical organizations,,I spent several years as an active member of this organization and met several people who had deep caring hearts and commitment to obtaining world justice and peace. I salute you all at the AWC!,,,Act UP!! ,Fight Back!!!!, Fellow Peace Activist
Posted by Anonymous | August 4, 2009, 4:30 pmA few of my favorites include:
* Seeing the awesome t-shirt that we spent hours conceptualizing, designed by Sarah P., and worn by complete strangers I meet all over town.
* The Pride parade where Matt and Jared wore the dresses my bridesmaids had worn when I got hitched! (Also, thanks to the AWC for basically staffing my whole wedding to begin with – from food to decor, you were there for us!)
* The amazing work we did to demand Justice for Jenin, including a powerful Palestinian-led march in Washington, DC, (now that was a good bus trip), and blocking downtown traffic on Al Nakba day.
* Getting arrested with 67 others in protest of the 2003 launching of the war on Iraq. US Out Now!!! (still)
* Making it a family affair… Watching my “little” brothers carry the banner at the front of our Human Rights Day protest a few years ago. Watching Leila “lead” chants on the bullhorn at last year’s Mayday Parade.
* RNC – whoop! whoop!
I hope to see many of my old friends, and my new ones, at the party Saturday. I’ll be there. – Jess Sundin
Posted by admin | January 27, 2009, 3:09 pmI met my lovely kitty cat over a year ago through the AWC. We have been living happily together ever since. Thank you AWC for a year of cute furry snuggles!!
Posted by Anonymous | January 28, 2009, 9:03 amWe Chicagoans have always imagined ourselves someday being the city where a Midwest regional anti-war movement would rally; that Chicago would join New York and San Francisco in that elite club.
Imagine how hard it was for us to spend all summer mobilizing to go to St. Paul for the RNC protests!
(Sample conversation)
“How much are the bus tickets for Minneapolis?”
“St. Paul.”
“Yeah, that’s what I mean.”
But all that resentment faded away as we watched the unity and strength of the Anti-War Committee: from the national meeting held last February, through the March on the RNC on Sep. 1, to the No Peace for the War Makers action on Day 4 of the RNC.
Signed -
Convinced Through Leadership
Posted by Anonymous | January 28, 2009, 9:19 amI had the great opportunity of taking my 11 year old niece, Rikki, on one of the AWC bus trips to DC for a national demonstration. AWC leaders were great at involving Rikki and made her feel like she wasn’t just tagging along with me on a road trip, but was attending because of HER opposition to the war. By the end of the trip, she had sold tons of buttons to strangers (after all, who can resist a kid with politics!) and had helped Sabri lead chants during the march. Thanks, AWC’ers, for all that you do to build the movement and welcome in the next generation of activists!
Posted by cherrene | January 28, 2009, 9:30 amIt’s been an amazing ten years of marching alongside the Anti-War Committee as it has opposed every occupation, bombing and war everywhere. As a founding member of the Anti-War Committee “Ladies Auxilliary” (Membership has no gender restriction of course but you must have a crock pot and be willing to drive across town to pick up the sound system, by yourself, in -10 weather) I have been so proud of the work of the committee, congratulations and happy anniversary
A few memories to share
1) The embarrassing display I made at the civil disobedience that marked the committee’s founding, when the Federal Security officer gave Jess a bloody lip and broke her rib but left her sitting in front of the door and I got all emotional while she was being all tough. (She still hasn’t forgiven me).
2) The coldest day of the year in 1999 when 11 people came out for an emergency response around Yugoslavia in freezing cold and blinding snow and I forgot my gloves. Thanks Kristen and Anh and everyone else who helped me keep my fingers that day.
3) Marching with 10,000 people to oppose the war in Iraq, from the cathedral to the state capitol, the day after Wellstone died. It was an IPAC demonstration but the AWC was playing a big role that day and helped make it great.
4) The national protest in D.C. for Jenin and the awesome bus trip there and back.
5) The kindness and open mindedness of all those who rode on a bus to D.C. and back with Leila when she was 2 years old, and let themselves be talked into watching a Dora the Explorer DVD.
6) Anh-Thu Pham is Serbia! (and other silliness)
7) RNC!!!
The AWC has been about the politics and the people for a decade. Look forward to helping you celebrate your 20 year anniversary, unless of course you manage to defeat the empire before then. – Steff
Posted by Anonymous | January 28, 2009, 9:31 amIt is a great thing for any people’s organization to keep up the good work for 10 years. It’s not like you’re in it for your resume.
As for career opportunity, though, there is none with more than the path of struggle. It’s a hard path but it’s a better path than any other, so keep strong, comrades and friends!
-David
Posted by Anonymous | January 28, 2009, 9:51 amThere is an anti-war activist in all of us. It takes the most dedicated and committed of organizations like the AWC to bring it out.
Keep up the good fight!
Obi
Posted by Anonymous | January 28, 2009, 10:24 am