COUNTER TERROR: BUILD JUSTICE 2005
An invitation to join a transatlantic anti-war protest

Justice Not Vengeance in the UK and Voices in the Wilderness in the US would like to invite your anti-war/peace group to be part of an international month of peace action in the spring of 2005. Below is an explanation of what the month of peace is about, a statement that we invite you to sign, and a menu of actions you may wish to organize during the month of action.

‘Counter Terror: Build Justice’ - Why

THE CONTEXT

As the crisis in Iraq deepens, and we face US presidential elections, it is crucial that the next US president - either a new President Kerry, or a re-elected President Bush - is met with a vigorous challenge from the US and British peace movements over both the occupation of Iraq, and the wider ‘war on terrorism’.

In Britain, the anti-war movement is facing a general election expected to take place in May 2005. The Blair Government will try to sweep the issue of the war, and the ongoing occupation of Iraq, under the carpet. The anti-war movement has a special responsibility to challenge the Government, and make the war a real election issue, taking the debate to every pro-war candidate.

It is also the case that on both sides of the Atlantic, and throughout the world, activists in various movements are seeking to a common agenda. ‘Counter Terror: Build Justice 2005′ creates an opportunity for anti-racist, anti-war, disarmament, human rights, international solidarity, trade justice, and world development groups to come together and cooperate in creating a more peaceful and just world.

THE PURPOSE

What is intended is that in the spring of 2005 - after the US presidential elections, but before the British general election - the US, British, Canadian and other anti-war movements serve notice on the new/re-elected administration in Washington, and its servants in London, that we will not permit another war of the kind inflicted on Iraq.

What is intended is a mobilization of our forces to demonstrate our strength and to build the skills, plans and networks that will be needed to prevent any future major war.

PRO-ACTIVE
This is a pro-active proposal.

‘Counter Terror: Build Justice 2005′ is about refusing to wait for the next move from the warmongers, and instead setting our own timetable, and making our own plans, to help create an irresistible social force that is powerful enough to prevent war.

Whatever happens in the US presidential election, and whoever is leading the polls in the British general election, the anti-war movement can show that it is strong and determined, and prepared for peace.

THEY PLAN A COUNTER-TERROR EXERCISE

Britain, Canada and the US are going to stage a major counter-terrorism exercise later in 2005, which has been a year in the planning already. The exercise is said to involve different scenarios, including a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear) attack. (In a radiological attack, there is no nuclear explosion: radioactive material is simply scattered to poison and to contaminate.) Thousands of troops and law enforcement officers will be deployed on both sides of the Atlantic.

WE PLAN A COUNTER-TERROR EXERCISE

JNV and Voices in the Wilderness do not object to emergency services practicing for extreme situations. We believe, however, that the most important and urgent response we should be making to the threat of terrorism is to direct the foreign policy of our governments away from war, threats, and support for unjust regimes. Popular protest is desperately needed to prevent our governments from carrying out illegal military attacks in the future. We must be able to counter the terrorism of the United States and Britain.

We can prepare for different terrorist scenarios. We must be able to stop our governments from launching full-scale invasions (such as the US-UK invasion of Iraq, begun on 19 March 2003, which has killed over 10,000 civilians); air strikes (of the kind that killed 39 people in Libya on 15 April 1986); cruise missile attacks (such as the one that destroyed Sudan’s only pharmaceutical factory in 1998, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people); or nuclear weapons (which killed two hundred thousand people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945). The dates of the month of action (19 March to 15 April) have been chosen to mark the anniversaries of the attacks on Iraq and Libya.

EACH AT OUR OWN LEVEL

Different groups can choose the areas of concern and the forms of protest which are most appropriate for them - in their locality, in their circumstances. Some may choose nonviolent direct action, others lobbying. Some may hold teach-ins, others may hold demonstrations.

‘Counter Terror: Build Justice’ - Some Possible Actions

JNV and Voices in the Wilderness US hope that there will be a coordinated event during the month of action, perhaps in London and New York. However, the emphasis of the month of action is decentralized, built up out of local and regional events.

Different groups will choose different themes and different forms of action. It may be effective, however, if there are some events which are universal.

It may be useful, then, to suggest that each participating group could agree to hold at least one of the following events during the month, whether or not they organize or participate in another activity.

1) Vigils and fasts in public areas;

2) Actions to demand that resources be used for human needs (e.g., universal health care, jobs programs, housing) rather than for war making purposes;

3) Nonviolent civil disobedience at weapons manufacturers, military bases, and military entrance processing stations;

4) Tabling and leafleting - (there will be ‘Counter Terror: Build Justice’ leaflets, posters and other materials available for the Month of Peace Action); and/or

5) Die-in (there will be a briefing setting out some suggestions for carrying out an effective die-in); and/or

6) Interfaith prayer services;

7) Public Meeting/Debate about the ‘war on terror’ (there will be a speakers list, and a set of videos which can be bought or borrowed)

It would be very helpful for us in compiling a list of activities, if your group decides to sign the statement, and to sponsor ‘Counter Terror: Build Justice’, if at the same time you could also commit yourself to at least one of these minimum activities, and to choose a target date on which you will carry it out.

‘Counter Terror: Build Justice’ - What Now?

We would be grateful if you could work through the following checklist:

1) Agree to sign the Statement.

2) Agree to sponsor ‘Counter Terror: Build Justice 2005′.

3) Agree to carry out one of the minimum activities. Choose the activity and decide a date for that activity (as soon as possible, if not at the same meeting).

5) Inform us as soon as you’ve signed up to the Statement, and when you’ve decided on an activity (via luo@vitw.org or 773 784-8065) with full contact details for your group.

6) Circulate the Statement and suggested activities to anti-war, human rights, environmental, anti-globalization and other protest groups in your area, and ask them to (a) pass a resolution in support of ‘Counter Terror: Build Justice’, and (b) sign up to the Statement, either as a group, or as individuals.

7) Circulate the Statement to trade unions, women’s organizations, faith-based communities, student organizations, and other civil society groups in the area, and ask them to (a) pass a resolution in support of ‘Counter Terror: Build Justice’, and (b) sign up to the Statement, either as a group, or as individuals.

Many thanks for your support.

Click here to read the “Counter Terror: Build Justice” statement.