You may be interested in this protest in Auckland and the accompanying message from the International Action Centre that recently made another sanction-busting visit to Iraq. Dave Bedggood for Auckland Gulf Crisis Committee.

Auckland Gulf Crisis Committee Emergency Picket of US Consulate to protest US Bombing of Baghdad Monday 19 Feb 4.30 -7 pm

Please read the forwarded message from the IAC on yesterday's bombing

IRAQ ACTION ALERT 2/16/00, 4 pm EST

PROTEST THE U.S. WAR AGAINST IRAQ!

SAN FRANCISCO DEMONSTRATION -- today! Meet today (Friday) at 5 pm Powell and Market St. Call the SF IAC at 415-821-6545

NEW YORK CITY -- Demonstration Monday, planning meeting Tuesday (See details below.)

Call the IAC at 212-633-6646 for information on demonstrations in other cities and to report local actions.

UPDATE:

According to the Associated Press and other news sources, U.S. planes bombed south of Baghdad at approximately 1:55 pm EST today (8:55 pm in Iraq).

While this bombing of Baghdad was dramatic, catching the world's attention and demonstrating the aggressive nature of the Bush administration, the fact is that since December 1998 (when the U.S. bombed Iraq for four straight days in so-called Operation Desert Fox), the U.S. has dropped nearly 20,000 bombs and missiles on Iraq. These bombings are always said to be hitting anti-aircraft, but have hit a water reservoir, hospitals and schools.

Hundreds, in not thousands, of Iraqis died from these bombings. And even when there's no bombing, 5,000 Iraq children die each month as a direct result of the U.S.-led UN sanctions.

This Bush administration is clearly following in the footsteps of the previous two administrations, those of Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr.

This attack has been timed to coincide with Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to several countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Powell has stated that he intends to tighten the now-crumbling sanctions regime.

This bombing is also a message to the Arab World that the U.S. supports the election of the right-wing war criminal Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister of Israel.

The combination of the genocidal sanctions against Iraq, the continuing U.S.-funded and backed Israeli repression of the Palestinians and the massive U.S. military occupation of the entire Gulf region has greatly heightened anti-imperialist sentiment throughout the region.

This attack comes at a time when the issue of the continuing genocidal sanctions has developed into a crisis for the incoming Bush administration. Last week, the New York Times for the first time proposed a relaxation of the sanctions. This unprovoked attack is an attempt to galvanize public opinion in the U.S. and around the world to maintain the murderous sanctions and step up the war against the Iraqi people.

THIS IS WHY WE HAVE IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES TO ANNOUNCE:

IN NEW YORK CITY:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 12 noon 42rd St. between 7th Ave. and Broadway Demonstration to demand Stop the bombing of Iraq! End the sanctions now!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 6:30 pm Eyewitness Iraq/Palestine/Jordan: Reports on resistance and the struggle to end U.S. domination in the Middle East & planning meeting for future actions

In mid January, delegates from the IAC traveled to Iraq to challenge the sanctions and bring much needed medicine and medical supplies to the Iraqi people. They also visited Palestinian refugee camps and hospitals in Jordan, and some went to the West Bank.

We will discuss the trip and future actions in the struggle to end U.S. domination in the Middle East. Also in the discussion plan for the evening is the effects of General Sharon's election for the Palestinian struggle. The meeting will be at the IAC office: 39 W. 14th St., Room 206.

- Please note that our web page is down due to technical reasons not connected to this escalation of the U.S. war against Iraq.

International Action Center 39 West 14th Street, Room 206 New York, NY 10011 email: iacenter@iacenter.org web: http://www.iacenter.org

CHECK OUT SITE http://www.mumia2000.org

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