By Debra Sweet
Today, October 5, World Can’t Wait joined with Cindy Sheehan and others from National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Witness Against Torture, Activist Response Team, Vets for Peace, Code Pink in a protest of about 500 people in front of the White House. Former Colonel Ann Wright and Medea Benjamin joined us directly from a flight back from Afghanistan and spoke about the conditions there.
We brought the "Museum of Torture" and displayed for the media a little taste of the crimes still being carried out in our names. 61 people were arrested in an act of civil disobedience, after chaining themselves to the fence of the White House (many wearing orange jumpsuits). It was a very eye-catching display, attracting media coverage: Washington Post Free Speech Radio News CBS UPI CNN David Swanson: We Were Arrested for Speaking. UPI video
While the administration held a press conference outside about healthcare, we marched to the fence and chanted as loud as possible “Stop the Torture State!" and "Healthcare not Warfare!" Robert Gibbs’ first question, because of this noise, was about why we were out there protesting. He answered, "that’s the first I heard there were protesters."
The whole debate over the war and occupation needs to shift. This isn’t about a "new strategy." It’s about an illegitimate,
immoral war that needs to end as soon as possible; not expanded in a surge of troops or drones.What we need is a surge of resistance. Join us in the streets Tuesday andWednesday in righteous protest against these continuing crimes.
Whether or not you can join us in the streets, please donate today towards our goal of $5,000 in 48 hours. This is actually the most crucial political act you can make right now. Read some of the statements people have sent:
-Elizabeth L.
Debra Sweet, Director, The World Can’t Wait
Why are you trying to kill Americans who are helping the tortured women and children of Iraq? Why are you helping the terrorists and not the true victims (Women and children)?? Have you been there? Im here now. YOU should be prosecuted for killing American soldiers and Marines. I hope the next Americans killed by these animals are your loved ones. Remember 9/11??? Of course not.
Cut all Gov spending for all the Berkely welfare babies and see how far these dumbasses go in real life. YOU are a disgrace to your country and the fight for real humanity. You people hate the men and women doing the job you cant. Good thing the Marines who fought to give you the freedom to speak your crap weren’t weak ass rejects like every freak at Berkely. Maybe if you were taken out in the desert in Iraq and stoned for being a woman who simply said the wrong thing, then maybe you would appreciate being a free American.