On Feb. 5, members of several progressive organizations based in the Los Angeles area joined with over 50 cities in a nationwide day of action. Demonstrators and speakers were united around a singular message: “No war on Russia!” The demonstration took place outside of the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, which sits across the street from the Los Angeles National Cemetery. The bodies of thousands of veterans of America’s imperial wars are buried here, with undoubtedly more joining their ranks if the U.S. march to war against Russia continues.
Those at the rally were able to come and enjoy solidarity with other activists calling for peace. Liberation News spoke with Iña Martinez, an organizer with the U.S. Hands Off Cuba Committee, who said that it was necessary to stand against a war because “a full-scale war with a nuclear power is potentially suicidal.” While the prospect of such a war is appalling to her, Martinez also said it was inspiring to be surrounded by other like-minded activists fighting for peace.
Speakers at the demonstration highlighted the many struggles that are inextricably linked to the struggle against U.S. imperialism. Juan Jose Gutierrez of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition shared the history of NATO in the context of the collapse of the Soviet Union. He described the pattern of Western imperial powers breaking promises to the Soviet Union by admitting former nations of the Warsaw Pact to NATO, a strategic alliance whose sole purpose is to militarily encircle and threaten the Soviet Union. He also stated the immigrant community of Los Angeles is united in calling for a de-escalation of tensions. Gutierrez also explained that just as workers living in the United States desire peace and financial security, so too do the people of Eastern Europe, who would undoubtedly suffer the consequences of the war that the United States is pushing for.
Additionally, Kourosh Karimi-Cherkandi, an organizer with ANSWER Coalition Los Angeles, explained that contrary to the coverage by western media, NATO is not on a defensive mission. He connected NATO’s involvement in the continued destabilization of Afghanistan and Libya — both countries now suffering from the aftermath of NATO intervention. Karimi-Cherkandi called for a united working-class opposition to NATO interference and the abolition of this hostile organization to protect innocent civilians across the world.
Even now, the U.S. government, with the support of other western powers such as the UK and Canada, is continuing to make baseless claims that a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is imminent. Unlike the United States, Russia is continuing to show its willingness to work through a diplomatic process to de-escalate tensions, and continuing negotiations mediated by the French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron. While the U.S. government and major defense contractors in the United States are pushing for war because they know it will be profitable for them and their shareholders, the working class in places like Los Angeles and throughout the world are united in calls for peace. This struggle against imperialist war will continue until the working class wins the peace it deserves. The rallying cry remains the same: “No war on Russia!”
