WALK OUT against the WAR

by Andrew Tue Feb 18, 2003 17:31

Another big demo that has not got much coverage from a friend in Norway

60 000 marched in Oslo according to the police, and
that is as good an estimate as any. Anyway that would
be 12 per cent of the population of Oslo, and the
largest demonstration here ever.
It was first and foremost a for peace and against
war and Bush manifestation and a de facto anti-racist
one. Apart from the numbers the most remarkable was
that bishops have been the main speakers against
war throughout Norway.
As is the case with the high numbers in London and
elsewhere, it is hard to know precisely what to make of
it expect that the fear September 11 created among
many seem to have turned the other way around. That a
group of young people carried banners with the text "make
love not war" pretty much described the atmosphere
together with a great distrust of the Bush administration.
What this could mean in longer perspective is even
harder to say anything certain about.
It means something though. At least that many are
more than usually concerned about the state of the world.
It is on a value level, which is important but not enough in
itself. It still also is much on the level of the sensible
politicians -- in France and Germany -- against the bad
mad, arrogant and irrogant ones, in the U.S and U.K. (together
with Saddam and Sharon). I expect in these parts at least,
there is still a long way to go before stepping much
outside of the legal framework.

by Tinpot Tue Feb 18, 2003 19:10

The war is ongoing. I support the idea of walking out of workplaces, houses, etc at 12 noon after (if) the full scale invasion is announced. In the meantime, can we all do our utmost to prevent at least our masters from supporting such a war. They can denounce the war, look for diplomatic alternatives in the tradition of Irish peacekeeping.
More importantly, if they won't listen to the majority of the people, we have to stop the US warplanes abusing the civilian facilities at Shannon airport. There is a mass demonstration called there for the 1st of March supported by the IAWM and the grassroots anti-war network.
For those who wish to realise their demands, some people will be taking part in some form of civil disobedience with the aim of preventing US warplanes using the airport. The more people who are prepared to participate in such an action of empowerment, the more likely it is to suceed. More people participating will also lead to better protection from arrest/assault.

Don't forget that the war is going on right now (sanctions killing 1000's monthly; "low intensity" ['twould be funny if people weren't dying] bombing campaign in northern/southern illegal no-fly zones).

Act now! Do what you can to increase public support for a peaceful resolution and get yer butts down to Shannon on March 1st.