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Dispatches from the Front

Unite for Peace and Justice
by Mark Stansbury
January 23, 2005

On March 19, 2005, Columbus, Ohio residents will join their voices against the war on Iraq and for a just public policy which builds Iraqi sovereignty. An action is planned for the Ohio Statehouse at 1 p.m. on the west plaza of the Statehouse.

This action is part of a global recognition of the second year of the US occupation of Iraq. There is a call put out by the Central Ohio Peace Network asking for support and joint action for this Global Day of Resistance to US Occupation of Iraq.

The Columbus, Ohio action is in concert with several regional actions planned. Yoshie Furuhashi (local activist) and I went to the United for Justice and Peace steering committee meeting in NYC to discuss the 2nd year of the US Occupation of Iraq, and what should the peace movement do in the coming months.

Here are the points of political agreement:

1. There will be a national Peace Assembly called by UFPJ in St. Louis over the Presidents’ Day weekend, more details on the website of UFPJ. www.unitedforpeace.org

2. UFPJ supported the January 3rd action in Columbus. Ohio which brought momentum toward the January 6, 2005 Congressional block of automatic certification for the Ohio delegation to the Electoral College. (thank you: Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Senator Barbara Boxer)

3. On January 21-23, there will be a national meeting of UFPJ to further plan details of regional actions to recognize the 2nd year of US occupation of Iraq.

4. UFPJ steering committee elected 5 interim members of the administration committee, which will have to be elected at the February national assembly of UFPJ in St. Louis.

5. The weekend over March 20, 2005 is a Global Day of Action against the US Occupation of Iraq. A call for regional actions over that weekend has been issued and the Fayetteville, North Carolina action was supported by UFPJ steering committee. (Fayetteville is host of Fort Bragg). This action will be the first of many regional actions planned to recognize the 2nd year of the US Occupation of Iraq.

6. UFPJ supports the American Friends Service Committee petition drive to oppose US occupation of Iraq, build our communities, and bring the Troops Home Now!

7. A discussion on Civil Resistance brought an agreement by UFPJ steering committee to not challenge any UFPJ member group’s right to conduct such actions.

Columbus, Ohio must do its part to end this occupation and build genuine democracy her and abroad. A minimal step is showing up on March 19, 2005 at 1 p.m. at the Ohio Statehouse. PEACE!!

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