Pacifica's Peace Watch
Monday. Oct. 28, 2002
Today's Stories:
United Nations
Cynthia McKinney speaks to thousands at largest protest since
the Vietnam War
Sounds from the anti-war rally in Washington
Tens of Thousands Rally in San Francisco
Thousands in Minneapolis call for peace while remembering
Sen. Paul Wellstone
Seattle Protests Montage
Commentary on DC Protests
Political musician and activist Stephan Smith
Mehdi Bray says that religious communities are opposed to
war on Iraq
The audio of today's show is posted at http://www.radio4all.net/
Story: United Nations
Hundreds of thousands of Americans from Maine to New Mexico
took to the streets over the weekend to voice opposition to
a war against Iraq, and today the Bush administration cranks
up its pressure on the UN to pass a newly worded resolution
to attack Saddam Hussein.
Three out of five UN Security Council members-- France,
Russia and China-- threaten to veto any resolution that is
not two pronged. They want Iraq to have a chance to comply
with weapons inspections before any force is authorized, and
if Bagdad fails to comply France, Russia and China want the
UN Security Council to meet and consider military action in
a second resolution. The US and Britain are pushing for a
single resolution that includes the use of force if Saddam
fails to comply with weapons inspectors. Dr. Rahul Mahajan,
author of ‘The New Crusade: America’s War Against
Terrorism’ says the debate has forced the US to make
some concessions.
Tape: interview with Dr. Rahul Mahajan
[top]
Story: Cynthia McKinney speaks to thousands at largest
protest since the Vietnam War
U.S. Congresswoman
Cynthia McKinney of Georgia addressed the crowd of well
over 100 thousand gathered Saturday at the rally in Washington,
DC. She thanked the late Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone
of Minnesota for being an example of a true warrior and a
patriot leading the fight for health care, for education,
against discrimination and fighting against the war. "When
good men say nothing", McKinney said, "Evil triumphs.
We are here today so it can not be said that the good people
of the United States of America did nothing in the face of
Evil…"
Tape: U.S.Congresswoman Cynthia
McKinney of Georgia
(MUSIC)
[top]
Story: Sounds from the anti-war rally in Washington
The rally brought out over 100,000 people in Washington,
DC. But not all were opposed to the war. There was a tiny
pro-war rally, as well as a few Iraqs who oppose Saddam Hussein.
David Russo from the Indymedia Center in Washington, DC has
this story…
Tape: David Russo interviews protest bystanders and counter-protestors
[top]
Story: Tens of Thousands Rally in San Francisco
Over 40 leaders in the peace movement spoke to upwards of
80-000 anti war demonstrators in downtown San Francisco on
Saturday. Families, labor unions, human rights advocates,
punks and 60's activists traveled from as far away as Colorado
and Arizona. Peace mongers on the West Coast also demonstrated
locally - in Sacramento, Portland, and as many as 10,000 in
Seattle. As Pauline Bartolone reports (from KPFA in Berkeley),
the rally proved that San Franciscans are not the only ones
opposed to war.
Tape: Pauline Bartolone reports from San Francisco
MUSIC BREAK
[top]
Story: Thousands in Minneapolis call for peace while
remembering Sen. Paul Wellstone
On Saturday, just thirty hours after the death of Minnesota
Senator Paul Wellstone, thousands marched from St. Paul's
Cathedral to the steps of the capitol building in Saint Paul,
Minnesota. While those who demonstrated had originally planned
on comemorating the year anniversary of the passage of the
USA Patriot Act, and protesting war with Iraq, they also came
to remember the legacy of Paul Wellstone. Ann Alquist from
Pacifica affiliate KFAI has this report...
Tape: report from Ann Alquist of Pacifica affiliate KFAI
[top]
Story: Seattle Protests Montage
Despite bitter cold temperatures, 7000 people turned out
for a rally and march in Seattle this weekend. Crowds came
from as far away as the Olympic peninsula, the San Juan islands
and even eastern Washington, representing both rural and urban
communities. People of all ages marched through the streets
holding placards and banners that spelled out their opposition
to the Bush administration's plans for war with Iraq.
Tape: montage of sounds of the streets by reporter Amoshaun
Toft
[top]
Story: Commentary on DC Protests
In Washington DC, the ANSWER rally was held near the Vietnam
Memorial, symbolically reminding all of a previous unpopular
war. It was followed by a march around the White House, then
a closing rally again at the Vietnam Memorial. Brent Hessel,
of WBIX.org-Refugees Radio, was among the marchers and was
deeply impressed by the entire experience…
Tape: commentary from Brent Hessel
[top]
Story: Political musician and activist Stephan Smith
Along with a new generation of protestors against war and
globalization, there are also new troubadours, such as folk
singer Stephan Smith. The Village Voice dubbed him as the
"heir apparent to Woodie Guthrie." His song, ‘The
Bell’ accompanied by the legendary Pete Seeger, has
become something of an anthem for peace rallies across the
country. Stephan spoke with Robert Knight, in the studios
of Pacifica station WBAI in New York.
Tape: Interview with Stephan Smith
[top]
Story: Mehdi Bray says that religious communities
are opposed to war on Iraq
Mehdi Bray, Executive Director of the Muslim American Society
Freedom Foundation, addressed the ANSWER rally in the nation’s
capital on Saturday. In a style echoing the traditional Baptist
cadence Bray testified that the religious community is against
a war on Iraq.
Tape: speech by Mehdi Bray
[top]
For a copy of today's show, please contact Pacifica
Radio Archives at 800 735 0230.
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