PEACE FOR LIFE BULLETIN

2004 March 5

An Invitation to the March 20 Global Day
of Action Against War and Occupation:

A Call to Reclaim Peace and Affirm Life

On March 20, the first anniversary of the US-led bombing and invasion of Iraq, freedom and peace-loving people and movements around the world will march the streets and assemble in public places to demand the immediate withdrawal of US and British troops from Iraq and to press for an end to their illegal occupation of this war-torn country.

On March 20, the world will witness yet another gathering of emancipative force to reclaim peace and affirm life amidst the death and destruction wrought on by the Empire’s illegal war.

Tens of thousands of lives have been lost in this internationally-condemned war whose pretext has remained unfounded. To quell worldwide censure, US and British forces have ravaged Iraq in search of the elusive weapons of mass destruction and the alleged link of the local regime to Al Qaeda, destroying in its path vital civilian facilities, infrastructure and ancient historical sites, plunging a nation already keeling from decades of dictatorship into greater chaos and unimaginable misery.

Arrogating unto itself global police powers, the US-UK tandem, with its invasion of Iraq and ouster of Saddam, has claimed victory for democracy and liberation for Iraq. But this is not a war for democracy or against terror. This war is but part of an elaborate game plan to gain world hegemony.

The Iraqi people, while indeed freed from the clutches of dictatorial rule, refuse to be policed by this hegemonic power. They are resisting their occupation and are crying out for recognition of their right to self-determination. In the face of the US’s heightened support of the Zionist occupation of Palestine, the Palestinian people continue to struggle to reclaim their right to return to their homes and land. The people of Afghanistan, especially women, continue to suffer from violence and repression by the misogynist fundamentalist regime of warlords that the US brought into power in place of the Taliban. Elsewhere in the world—in Korea, the Philippines, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Haiti, and everywhere—people’s lives and well-being continue to be threatened by the escalation of US military intervention.

The US’s and Britain’s patent imperial designs, as evidenced by their aggression against Iraq and other so-called rogue states, have led to an unprecedented rise in popular consciousness and resistance against war, militarization and globalization. A global anti-war and anti-corporate globalization movement has emerged, establishing the link between the US’s empire building and corporate-led globalization, and posing the single most formidable obstacle to the further incursions of this Empire.

On March 20, we who stand for peace must gather our strength once more and register our united stand against the Empire. With a unified voice:

• We declare that the continued occupation of Iraq by US and British forces is illegitimate and bereft of any justification.
• We call for the immediate, unconditional and complete withdrawal of all foreign troops and military facilities on Iraqi soil.
• We uphold and demand official recognition of the right of the Iraqi and Palestinian people for self-determination, self-governance and control over their land and natural resources.
• We hold the US and UK governments accountable for reparations and remedial actions for the destruction and damage on lives, property, and priceless cultural heritage of the Iraqi people.

We in the faith communities are particularly challenged to peel off the drape of moral justness that has concealed the real motives of the US-led war on terror. Imperial aggression—masquerading as a moral crusade against terror—has appropriated the language and imagery of popular morality and religion, riding on and exacerbating age-old animosities, intolerance and prejudices that run along ethnic and religious lines.

We are called to expose this war for what it really is, and to use the resources of our faith and spirituality to further enrich the practice of genuine peace-building that is rooted in justice and equality for all peoples.

On March 20, we invite you and your communities to engage in the following forms of action:

1. organize or participate in planned protest actions in your area (demonstration/rally, protest march, prayer vigil)
2. initiate prayer rallies, vigils and human chains for peace
3. circulate this statement and/or draft and circulate your own organization’s statement of protest against the occupation, and message of solidarity with the Iraqi people
4. organize discussion groups in your church/communities/networks and engage in reflection on the life and death dimensions (both in the public and private spheres) of war, militarization and globalization
5. engage in solidarity and organize discussions and coordinated actions with other faith communities

On March 20, let us stand with the rest of the world and reclaim peace for life.

THE SECRETARIAT

People’s Forum on Peace for Life