Stop Government Attacks
Against the Anti-War Movement!
Take Action to Defend Free Speech
http://answer.pephost.org/site
In an unprecedented action, the ANSWER Coalition today received
citations fining the organization $10,000 for the placement of posters
announcing the September 15 March on Washington DC. The fines
come after a campaign led by FOX news calling for the DC government to
take action against those putting up posters for the September 15
demonstration.
They have told us that we have 72 hours to remove every poster, or
the fines will go into effect. Tens of thousands of dollars in additional fines are expected in the coming days. Bush’s Interior Department is threatening similar actions against ANSWER. The September 15 posters are legal and
conform to city regulations. We will not allow the government’s
intimidation tactics to slow our outreach or silence the antiwar
movement.
We can stop this effort to repress the antiwar movement with your help.
This is part of a systematic effort to disrupt the organizing for
the September 15 Mass March that is timed to coincide with the report
of General Petraeus and the debate in Congress on the Iraq war. Iraq
war veterans and their families will lead this dramatic march from the
White House to the Congress on September 15. The last thing the
government wants is to see the streets of Washington DC fill up with
throngs of anti-war protesters right in the middle of the debate. But we will not be stopped.
Organizing for this demonstration is taking place in cities and towns
throughout the country. Buses and car caravans are coming from 90
cities and towns.
Please send a letter today
to Washington DC Mayor (Adrian M. Fenty) and to the Director of DC
Department of Public Works (William O. Howland, Jr.) demanding an end
to the fines, harassment and repression of the anti-war movement. We have a right to publicize the September 15 March.
Fining the anti-war movement tens of thousands of dollars for putting
up Free Speech-protected literature makes a mockery out of the First
Amendment.
Take Action!
The
best way to take action is to call the Director of Department of Public
Works, William O. Howland, Jr. at 202-673-6833, and the Mayor of DC,
Adrian Fenty, at 202-724-8876. You can also send a letter or fax by clicking this link.
We’d
suggest saying something along the lines of: “I am writing to protest
the fines levied against the ANSWER Coalition for putting up posters
for the September 15th March on Washington. The government does not
fine politicians who put up campaign posters, or commercial and
business interests that plaster Washington, DC with posters. It is
outrageous that the city, in concert with FOXNews, are attempting to
suppress the antiwar movement. Stop the harassment. Stop the fines.”
Let us know how your phone conversations go by emailing us.
Antiwar Group Refuses To Back Down on Signs
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 16, 2007; Page B01
An antiwar coalition defied the D.C. government and the National Park Service yesterday by refusing to take down dozens of signs advertising an upcoming march.
The
D.C. Department of Public Works accused the ANSWER Coalition of
breaking city rules by putting signs on utility boxes and using a glue
that the agency said will make the posters difficult to remove. The
Park Service said the signs are defacing federal property.
Coalition members said the adhesive won’t create problems and accused
the government of a “politically motivated” bid to silence their
efforts against the war in Iraq.
See the whole article here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/15/AR2007081501245.html