10/15: Saturday Minneapolis anti-war protest to be part of national day of peace actions

News Alert

Saturday, October 17, 2009
Minneapolis anti-war protest
1:00 pm Gather at
Hennepin & Lagoon Ave. in Minneapolis
1:30 pm March to closing rally at Loring Park

As U.S. Administration discusses Afghanistan escalation:
Saturday Minneapolis anti-war protest to be part of national day of peace actions

Minnesotans will join together this Saturday to voice their opposition to the continued U.S. wars against Iraq and Afghanistan. The demonstration starts at 1:00 pm at Hennepin & Lagoon Avenues in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. A march begins at 1:30 pm, ending in a rally at Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis.

In addition, anti-war protests will be held in more than 40 communities across the U.S. on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

The protests call for an end to the war in Afghanistan and an end to the occupation of Iraq at a time when the Obama Administration is considering a plan to escalate the war in Afghanistan by sending up to 40,000 additional U.S. troops.

“The U.S. anti-war movement will be back in the streets this October to make a clear statement against any escalation of the war in Afghanistan, to demand an end to that war, and an end to the occupation of Iraq,” said Meredith Aby, a member of the coalition that is planning the Saturday protest.

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “President Obama is reported to be listening to the generals about the next steps in Afghanistan, he should be listening to the people, who want an end to the war.”

The statement goes on to say, “There is growing sentiment among people in the U.S. against the war in Afghanistan. They want an end to the eight-year long war, not an escalation.

“During the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the U.S. government is spending billions for wars and occupations, while millions lose their jobs and housing and go without health insurance.”

Cities with plans for anti-war events on October 17 include Boston, Cleveland, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Albany, New York, Austin, Texas and Orlando, Florida. For information on other cities holding October 17 events see www.october17.org

Twin Cities-area organizations that are participating in the local Saturday protest include Anti-War Committee; Iraq Veterans Against the War; Military Families Speak Out; Women Against Military madness; Twin Cities Peace Campaign; St. Paul Regional Labor Federation and many others.

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