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ACTIVISM
Global Day of Action
BY CAMILLE DODERO

A year ago this Saturday, President Bush began dropping bombs on the country with the romance-novelist dictator. More than 100 billion bucks, thousands of Iraqi deaths, 564 American lives, and no weapons of mass destruction later, United States troops still occupy the land. So, to mark the anniversary — and more important, to voice continued outrage over the Bush administration’s benighted policies and deceitful rhetoric — peace activists will convene across the world for a Global Day of Action against War and Occupation. From the streets of San Francisco to Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Brisbane, Australia, over 250 demonstrations are planned in the United States and more than 50 in other countries. And it’s all a sequel to last February’s "The World Says No to War," organized largely by the nonprofit coalition United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ).

Although local activist Web sites don’t list any demonstrations here in Boston — except for that of a bunch of ball-carrying anarchists who will play "Four Square" in Copley Square "to stand in solidarity" — busloads of local objectors are heading down to NYC. Would-be protesters pondering the trip might wonder how this march will differ from last February’s NYC rally. "It’s a different moment," says United for Peace and Justice media coordinator Bill Dobbs, who’s so busy juggling phone calls about the forthcoming demo that he has to hang up and call back twice during a 15-minute conversation. For one, last year’s activists only secured a permit to rally; this time, they’re sanctioned to march. But the turnout could be smaller — last year’s projected crowd estimates reached more than 400,000 — given that Operation Iraqi Freedom was looming back then like an anvil on a frayed rope. This year, Dobbs says, "We’re saying tens of thousands."

One way Dobbs hopes this year’s follow-up will be different from its prewar predecessor is the NYPD’s response. "In this town, you can’t say protest without wondering in the same breath how the police are going to try and stomp it out," Dobbs sighs. "Last year, it was bad enough that many of the people who were trying to reach the rally were sent away or sent in circles. In some cases, they were trampled by horses. There were also folks who were asked questions about their political affiliations. There were people arrested for no reason." Dobbs says the NYPD "can make this as easy as a parade to honor a winning baseball team, or they can make it as nightmarish as they did last time."

Does UFPJ worry that repeated demonstrations desensitize authorities to mobilization efforts? "No. Actually, what the anti-war movement in the last year and a half did is reawaken that kind of political activity," Dobbs says. He adds that the peace movement is "certainly a force George Bush — whether he acknowledges it or not — has to reckon with." And across the pond, Dobbs points out, there are signs that mass protest is presaging political change. "What about Spain? There were huge mobilizations, huge protests, about getting involved in Iraq. The government didn’t listen. And now look what’s happened to the ruling party."

The Global Day of Action against War and Occupation will begin at noon on Saturday, March 20 in New York City. Crowds will assemble on Madison Avenue, north of 23rd Street. For more information, including bus schedules and ride shares leaving from the Boston area, visit http://www.unitedforpeace.org/.


Issue Date: March 19 - 25, 2004
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