On March 26, hundreds gathered in Pittsburgh for a march
and rally to protest U.S.-led imperialist wars. The demonstrators
demanded an end to these wars and the racist harassment of Arabs and
Muslims. They also called for the money squandered on the wars be
spent instead for jobs, education and health care.
Many protesters carried ANSWER placards that said “NO
U.S./U.N. War on Libya” to show their opposition to the bombing of
Libya. Passing cars, trucks and public buses honked and waved in
agreement.
The action was organized by a joint effort of various
groups including the Coalition to Act Now to Stop War and End Racism
and Party for Socialism and Liberation. The rally featured speakers
from labor (SEIU and ATU), ANSWER, University of Pittsburgh Students
for Justice in Palestine, Pittsburgh Students for a Democratic
Society, the Thomas Merton Center and African American community
groups including Black Voices for Peace and the Hill Coalition.
During the march, the crowd chanted slogans like “Money
for jobs, not for wars!”, “From Iraq to Palestine, occupation is
a crime!”, and “Libya is the new Iraq. What do we do? Stand up,
fight back!”
All of the protesters we talked to drew the connection
between the cost of these wars and the local economic crisis with all
the budget cuts to public education, transport and services taking
place under the pretext of this crisis.
Participant Wesley Conroy, a Pittsburgh resident, noted
that things at home will not get better because of all the wars being
waged against other nations including Libya.
Another Pittsburgh local and participant in the protest,
Sanjay Shendge, pointed out that with no prospects for jobs upon
graduation from school, young people end up joining the Army and then
having to fight wars that are not in their interest.
The high
unemployment rates make the lives of the military recruitment
officers much easier. Laura Snyder, whose brother got back from his
second tour in Afghanistan, noted that all the money cut back from
our neighborhoods and communities was being poured into the war
effort.
Scott Mitchell, another Pittsburgher, said, “People
are losing their lives for these wars that they have nothing to do
with. The money spent on wars could very easily fund public health,
education and other public services.”
Pittsburgh resident Dylan Rooke expressed the fear that
the attack on Libya is the start of yet another imperialist
occupation.
