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> Mon., Aug. 25, 2003
Pacifica's PeaceWatch
Today's Stories:
Red Cross Pulls Out of Baghdad in the Wake of UN Bombing
Civil Rights Activists Commemorate 40th Anniversary of March
on Washington, Draw Parallels to US War and Occupation of
Iraq
Military Family Members Protest Outside Bush’s Ranch
in Crawford, Texas
Activists Hold "Occupy the Occupiers" Rally in Los
Angeles
Red Cross Pulls Out of Baghdad in the Wake of UN Bombing
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The International Red Cross has announced it will pull most
of its staff out of Iraq. It says it fears it may be the target
of an attack like the one on the United Nations Building in
Baghdad, where a bomb killed at least 23 people last week.
The BBC reports that other aid organizations are expected
to follow.
Tape: Phyllis Bennis, a Fellow at the Institute for Policy
Studies, speaking with Free Speech Radio News Washington DC
correspondent Mitch Jeserich
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Civil Rights Activists Commemorate 40th Anniversary
of March on Washington, Draw Parallels to US War and Occupation
of Iraq
A coalition of more than 100 labor, peace and human rights
organizations-- together with thousands of civil rights activists
and concerned citizens—gathered on the steps of the
Lincoln Memorial, here in the nation’s capital this
weekend. They came to commemorate the 40th anniversary of
the March on Washington-- when Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior
delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech.
They also spoke of the inequities that they feel still exist
in such fields as criminal justice, political representation
and race relations, and several speakers make connections
to the war and occupation of Iraq.
Tape:
Billy Tayac of the American Indian Movement
Leslie Cagan of United for Peace and Justice
James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute
Damu Smith of Black Voices for Peace
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Military Family Members Protest Outside Bush’s
Ranch in Crawford, Texas
With opinion polls showing an increase in discontent among
Americans over the Bush administration's handling of Iraq
and the now seemingly endless occupation of that country,
families of U.S. soldiers stationed there are beginning to
speak out. This weekend military families joined with peace
activists in Crawford Texas. They challenged Bush's message
to "Bring Em On" with another message to "Bring
Them Home."
Tape: Peacewatch reporter Stefan Wray
[top]
Activists Hold "Occupy the Occupiers" Rally
in Los Angeles
Last Friday, activist and antiwar organizers gathered on
the lawn of the Westwood Federal Building in Los Angeles to
say "no" to the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan
and Palestine. Hundreds of people attended the event to hear
speeches and music opposed to US military intervention in
the Middle East. They covered the lawns with tents, colorful
signs and banners that promoted peace and promoting the theme
of "Occupying the Occupiers."
Tape: Activists at last Friday’s "Occupy the
Occupiers" antiwar rally in Westwood, California, speaking
with Sonali Kolhatkar of Pacifica station KPFK in Los Angeles.
Thanks to Fidel Rodriguez for production assistance with that
piece.
[top]
Pentagon Medically Retires Iraq Soldiers
On Wednesday, of last week, Army Sgt. Vanessa Turner who
just returned from Iraq, was rushed to the hospital suffering
from what appeared to a heart attack. Turner has been in a
fight for her life and the survival of her daughter since
she woke up in a hospital in Germany.
On May 18th, 70 miles from Baghdad in the town of Balad,
Army Sgt Vanessa Turner succumbed to what appeared to be pneumonia.
She was medi-vacced to Germany, where she fell into a coma.
Within approximately, 24 hours of arriving in Germany, Army
Sgt. Vanessa had been medically retired from the military.
From that day until today it is unclear who made the decision
or why.
Peacewatch editor Lona Alias has this report.
Tape: Steve Smithson, Assistant Director of American Legion
Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission speaking
with Peacewatch editor, Lona Alias.
[top]
Veteran Brian Wilson on Experiences of War, US Military
Intervention Abroad
We end today’s show with the story of Vietnam veteran
and renowned peace activist Brian Wilson, who spoke recently
in Los Angeles about his experiences of war and US military
intervention abroad.
Tape: Vietnam veteran Brian Wilson speaking recently in
California. He was recorded by Dave Adelson and the LA Sound
Posse. His speech was mixed with music from Bill Withers:
Live at Carnegie Hall, the Funk Brothers and Marvin Gay and
was produced by Anthony Sloan.
Credits
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