Front Page > Issues > 2004 > March

Portlanders prepare for international day of action

By Dan Handelman

Local organizing in solidarity with an international call for an end to war and occupation is shaping up. Organizers confirm that a peaceful march and rally will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square on Saturday, March 20.

Although the war on Iraq catalyzed this event, people from across the progressive spectrum will be there. The day’s main theme is “The World Still Says No To War” and the subthemes chosen by participating groups are: “Fund Jobs, Education and Health Care, Not War; End US Support of Israel’s Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza; and Defend Civil Liberties — Repeal the USA Patriot Act.” These topics tie together local, national and international issues which are all affected by a militaristic foreign policy and a wartime economy. The rally and march will take place almost exactly one year after the U.S. began its full-scale invasion of Iraq.

“Once again, labor, faith, environmental, peace and social justice groups have gotten together to oppose U.S. policies at home and abroad,” said Yvonne Simmons of Peace and Justice Works (PJW) and Women in Black, two of the cosponsoring organizations of the rally. “What a great opportunity to link issues and foment positive change in this country and around the world.”

While mass mobilizations against the war and occupation have become less frequent since the U.S. attack one year ago, there has been a shift in the types of work taken on by local peace and justice groups. In place of the large rallies and marches, many have organized public lectures, neighborhood canvassing and other actions aimed at building broader public awareness and support.

Organizations interested in becoming involved may contact Peace and Justice Works (PJW) at 503-236-3065. PJW’s Iraq Affinity Group (IAG) is also planning a separate vigil the previous evening (Friday, March 19) from 4-6 pm at Terry Schrunk Plaza to mark the exact one-year date of the bombing. The theme for the vigil is “Counting the Costs: Iraq, One Year Later.”

Current co-sponsors of the March 20 event include Peace & Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group (503-236-3065), Oregon PeaceWorks (503-585-2767-Salem), American Friends Service Committee, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition (www.pprc-news.org), East Timor Action Network/Portland (503-235-4986), KBOO-FM 90.7 FM Community Radio, Living Earth, Women in Black, Families for Peace, Portland Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Peace Justice and Environment Committee of the Portland Mennonite Church, St. Andrew Catholic Church, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, War Resisters League-Portland (503-238-0605), Portland Labor for Peace and Justice, Peace and Social Justice Center of Southwest Washington, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Jews for Global Justice (503-299-4772), Peace Action Group of the First Unitarian Church, Alliance for Democracy - Portland Chapter, Freedom Socialist Party, Radical Women, Reedwood Friends Church, Justice for Mumia Coalition, Progressive Responses—a program of CALC of Lane County, Hollywood Neighbors for Peace, Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Sisters of the Road, Peace and Social Concerns Committee of the Multnomah Meeting of Friends (Quakers) and others.

Current endorsers include Rainbow Coalition of Portland-Oregon, Vancouver For Peace, Green Party of Clark County, Socialist Party of Oregon, In Other Words- Women’s Books and Resources, PSU Progressive Student Union, Northwest Veterans for Peace, Laughing Horse Books, the Board of Peace and Social Concerns of NW Yearly Meeting, Portland Jobs with Justice (503-236-5573; jobswj@tele-port.com), Black Monday Committee, Oregon Fellowship of Reconciliation, Eugene Justice Not War, Yamhill Valley PeaceMakers, Peace Church of the Brethren, Oregon Wildlife Federation, Back to the WALL, PSU Green Party, Laughing Horse Books, Left Turn-Portland Collective and others.

There are 49 organizations on board as of Feb. 9, 2004. For a full list see www.pjw.info/mar20cosponsors.html. A downloadable flyer is available on the PPRC Web site at www.pprc-news.org.
Dan Handelman is a member of the board of Peace and Justice Works.