Support the Anti-War Committee!
November 2019
Dear Supporters,
The Anti-War Committee has been a local voice for peace for 21 years! This year we focused on organizing against the attempted US supported coup in Venezuela, played a critical role in organizing a divestment campaign against Elbit Systems and have continued to resist Trump’s bigotry. We want to update you on our work and to thank you for helping us accomplish so much.
No Coup on Venezuela!
Over the last year, the Anti-War Committee has helped lead protests with the MN Peace Action Coalition (MPAC) calling emergency responses to the attempted coup in Venezuela. We are committed to calling out the U.S. government’s attempt to intervene in Venezuela’s internal affairs because we have seen what has happened to other countries when the U.S. has interfered in Central America. We have also organized opposition to the brutal sanctions the U.S. has put on Venezuela because we believe that sanctions can and should be seen as an act of war. Sanctions are often used as a pretense to justify intervention and we demand the U.S. end all sanctions in Venezuela and countless other countries such as Iran. We sent a member of our committee, Tracy Molm, to Venezuela on a delegation so that we could have her first hand testimony to counteract the pro-war narrative we were seeing in the mainstream media.
Free Palestine
The Anti-War Committee continues to center its efforts for a free Palestine on ending U.S. aid to Israel. Each year 3.8 Billion in military aid is sent to Israel which is being used to oppress Palestinians under occupation. We have continued to organize actions around dates like Al Nakba, in addition to emergency response actions.
This summer we started a divestment campaign against Elbit Systems alongside the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Coalition (MIRAC). Elbit is Israel’s biggest weapons manufacturer and is currently under contract to further militarize the U.S. – Mexico border by installing “integrated fixed towers.” The State Board of Investments (SBI) in Minnesota owns 10,591 shares in Elbit Systems worth more than $1,256,650.00. We have organized call in days, protested at the Governor’s mansion, and have testified at the SBI to demand the state divest from Elbit. We will continue to keep pressure on the board, with a focus on Governor Walz, to divest in the coming year.
Resisting Trump’s Bigotry
We continue to stand up against Trump’s bigotry by organizing on-the-ground actions throughout the year, helping organize a protest where 25,000 people showed Trump that he is never welcome in the Twin Cities. As Trump continues to spew hate towards immigrants and the Muslim community, we believe that it is crucial to give unfailing support to our immigrant neighbors and continue to resist his racist provocations.
Your Support is Key!
We could not have done our work in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Venezuela and around the world without you! Thank you for coming to demonstrations, making phone calls, and being a voice for peace in your community!
The Anti-War Committee is a grassroots, all volunteer organization. We hope you can support our work by contributing financially to this important activism. Your tax-deductible contribution will be spent locally funding peace organizing. If you would prefer to donate online please go to antiwarcommittee.org. Thank you for your support.
Peace,
Austin Jensen for the Anti-War Committee
P.S. We hope to see you at our annual Human Rights Day protest on December 10th. We’ll start at Senator Klobuchar’s office at Washington Ave & 35W at 4:30 pm and then march to May Day Books (301 Cedar Ave. S.) for a closing rally inside.
