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By Derrick O’Keefe
World history in 2003 was marked by the US-led invasion of Iraq, and the anti-war
protests against it, which were unprecedented in size and worldwide coordination.
The US, UK and other occupation forces remain, and the Iraqi resistance continues
- the war is not over. The next major international anti-war protests are set
for March 20 including what is expected to be a huge one-year anniversary march
and rally in Vancouver. (for more details see www.stopwar.ca)
A brief summary of war and peace in 2003 includes the following: January 18 -
An international day of action against the war on Iraq. Over 10,000 come out to
the Art Gallery in Vancouver, while in the United States the largest anti-war
rallies since the Vietnam war take place, with as many as half a million marching
in Washington, DC.
February 15 - The largest coordinated day of protest in the history of
the world. Anywhere from 15 to 30 million take to the streets globally against
the war on Iraq. London is the site of Britain’s largest rally ever at 2
million, in Vancouver 30,000 plus make for the largest anti-war rally here in
over a decade.
March 14 - The Vancouver peace camp established across from the US consulate
downtown, with 24-hour anti-war vigil.
March 15 - In Vancouver, 15,000 protest what now appears to be an imminent
attack on Iraq.
March 19 - George W. Bush announces the opening of the "shock and
awe" bombing of Iraq. Great Britain and Spain join the US-led "coalition
of the willing." At 8 pm, minutes after the bombing of Iraq had begun, 1,500
Vancouverites hold a spirited and angry march to the US consulate.
March 20 - Students make up the majority of an all-day walkout and protest
against the war. Langara, UBC, SFU and Emily Carr students organize contingents
and join marchers snaking throughout downtown all afternoon and evening.
April 9 - The fall of Baghdad is highlighted by a great photo-op for US
invaders, as a statue of Saddam is toppled with the help of US forces.
April 12 - Another international day of protest against the war. In Vancouver,
the demand of "stop the war" becomes "end the occupation."
May 1 - Bush, speaking aboard a US aircraft carrier, announces "the
end of major hostilities in Iraq." Hundreds of US and coalition soldiers
have since been killed as resistance continues, not to mention the continuing
death of thousands of Iraqis.
August 9 - Nagasaki Day is commemorated in Vancouver with a funeral march
to the US consulate. Coffins and placards carry the names of countries invaded
or bombed by US forces over the past six decades since the nuclear bombing of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
September 28 - A Vancouver rally demands the end of the occupation of Iraq,
Palestine and Afghanistan.
October 25 - International Day of Action sees the largest demonstrations
in the US since before the war started. In Vancouver, protestors march to the
Canadian armory demanding an end to Canadian support for the occupations and no
to participation in Bush’s missile defence program known as Star Wars 2.
December 13 - Photo-op for US propaganda: a disheveled Saddam Hussein is
captured outside of Tikrit. Despite triumphalist predictions, the Iraqi resistance
continues and even intensifies in the following days.
December 15 - Bush calls to congratulate newly sworn-in Prime Minister
Paul Martin, who in turn congratulates Bush on Hussein’s capture. Martin
looks to "mend fences" with the US, naming David Pratt defence minister.
Pratt opposed Chretien’s decision not to send Canadian troops to Iraq. Later
in the week, Martin states in an interview that Canadian troops won’t be
withdrawn from Afghanistan anytime soon.
March 20, 2004 - Global Day of Action on the one-year anniversary of US
/ UK invasion of Iraq, join millions around the world to say no to war (see page
4 for details).
Derrick O’Keefe is a member of the StopWar.ca
coalition
Prime Minister Paul Martin’s new defense minister David Pratt had
opposed Chretien’s decision not to send Canadian troops to Iraq.
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