Iraq Moratorium: No Business as Usual

September 21st and every third Friday of the month from then on, protests against the Iraq war will be taking place across the USA. That is the aim and hope of a growing group of activists deeply dissatisfied with the slow pace of change when it comes to the outrageous and illegal Iraq war and occupation (check out: www.iraqmoratorium.org).

The idea is rather straightforward. On the third Friday of every month, there are to be protests across the USA. The protests may take the form of people wearing armbands, or it might be that people choose not to buy anything other than necessities. It may be that individuals stay home from work, or it might be that there are picket lines in front of military recruitment centers. Whatever form(s) it takes, the point is the same. The war must stop and there will no longer be a climate of business-as-usual while Iraqis are killed in almost incalculable numbers and the ticker continues to click off as one after another US soldier loses his or her life.

Not only is it critical that we who object to this war do more than hold periodic national demonstrations, it is equally important that Black America demonstrate its own rejection of the war. This should not be difficult. A recent media report identified that Black Americans are not signing onto the military, including those of us from military families.

The reasons were clear: in numbers that outpace any other segment of the population, we deeply oppose the Iraq war and occupation.

September 21st, therefore, must be our day to launch protests. Nearly 25 months after the Katrina disaster, our protests against the war are as much protests against the political and economic disaster that followed from Hurricane Katrina. Each day evacuees remain dispersed throughout the USA and little is done to make the Gulf Coast a home for its own population. The Bush administration continues to put its hands over its ears and eyes and press on [with the war], while New Orleans remains a disaster zone and, yes, bridges collapse in Minneapolis. The resources so desperately needed here are evaporating, all in the name of a war that should never have been.

It is time for Black America to collectively demonstrate our outrage over this war. Whether through special meetings on campuses, religious services at our institutions, rallies, or just black arm-bands, we can make it clear that we want no part of this war and that this war will not be prosecuted in our name.

We should also be clear that this is only an initial step. The Bush administration has made it obvious that it will listen to no one other than itself when it comes to Iraq policy. If that is the case, will it listen to the silence when millions decide to pull back from everyday life and eventually bring this country to a halt?

The time has passed for assuming that our periodic national expressions of horror and opposition will result in an awakening of the conscience of this Administration. We must respond with power. That power will be found in our capacity to illustrate, through our own actions, what we mean by no more business as usual.