Eight Years of War in Afghanistan: Out of Afghanistan – Bring the Troops Home Now!
Peace Vigil, 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN
Wednesday Peace Vigil to Mark 8 years of War in Afghanistan with call for Peace
A peace vigil will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, to mark the 8th anniversary of the beginning of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.
The event will take place on the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul and is part of a national effort to mark the anniversary. Across the U.S. peace groups will be holding vigils, rallies and other activities to speak out against the war and against any escalation of the war.
At 5:00 pm, representatives of several area organizations will be available to give brief statements on the east end (St. Paul side) of the bridge.
A statement issued by organizers says, in part, “The U.S. government is considering a plan to send 40,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan. We will mark the 8th anniversary with a call for an end to the U.S. war and to speak out against any escalation.”
The statement goes on to say, “For 8 years, the people of Afghanistan have suffered attacks on their families and the destruction of their homes and villages. We say this is 8 years too many! The people of Afghanistan deserve to live free of foreign occupation and to determine for themselves what happens in their own country.”
The statement continues, “On Wednesday, people across the U.S. will gather to call for an end to the war in Afghanistan and to oppose any escalation of the war. The number of troops in Afghanistan has doubled under the Obama administration. Deaths among U.S. troops in Afghanistan are now at an all-time high and eight more U.S. soldiers were killed this past weekend. It’s time to being the troops home now!”
At the Wednesday vigil, plans will be announced for an anti-war protest set for Saturday, October 17 in Minneapolis. October 17 is a day in which local and regional anti-war protests are planned, with peace actions set for 40 cities around the country.
The Wednesday vigil is sponsored by: Twin Cities Peace Campaign-Focus on Iraq and Women Against Military Madness. The vigil is co-sponsored by Anti-War Committee and Iraq Peace Action Coalition. For more information 612 827-5364 or 612 522-1861.