Massive Three-Day Anti-War Protest This Weekend in Washington DC

Tens of thousands are converging on Washington DC this weekend in a mass mobilization to non-violently protest the continuing War on Iraq and to gather for a massive interfaith religious service to pray for the end of American involvement in Iraq.

Writes United for Peace, one of dozens groups slated to be in DC this weekend, "Sickened by the killing, the torture, the destruction, and the spiraling human and financial costs of this illegal and immoral war? It's time to let Congress and the White House know: We're fed up and we will hold you accountable! Join United for Peace and Justice in Washington, D.C. for three massive days of action against the war..."

Progressive Democrats of America urges, "Join PDA and other progressive activists for a massive public protest on the streets of Washington, DC. Let's make this gathering dwarf all previous demonstrations against this administration and fill every street and every avenue until the entire nation is forced to stop, and turn its face toward the truth. Please join us. Bring your friends, your family, your neighbors, your conscience, and your unquenchable thirst for peace."

The schedule of some of the major events is as follows:
Saturday, September 24, 2005
-- 10:00 am - 10:00pm All-Day Peace & Justice Festival Washington Monument Grounds - "a special peace and justice festival designed to connect grassroots activists with a wide array of organizations and campaigns. At the festival, you'll find leaflets, how-to guides, activist toolkits, and other resources; learn more about the disastrous Iraq War and how you can plug into the many efforts underway to bring the troops home; and have an opportunity to talk to knowledgeable organizers involved in everything from counter-recruitment work to faith-based organizing to immigrant rights and civil liberties."

-- 11:30 am Rally at Ellipse outside the White House (linked to map)

-- 12:30 pm March steps off. (route map for march)

-- 3:00 pm "Operation Ceasefire" Concert, featuring Cindy Sheehan, who lead the August vigil outside George Bush's ranch, guest speakers, and music.

Sunday, September 25, 2005 -

-- 10:00am - 11:30pm National Conference on Counter-Recruitment.

-- 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM: Nonviolence Training.

-- 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Nonviolence Panel. Clergy and Laity Concerned about Iraq will convene a panel of experienced practitioners of nonviolent social change who come from religious traditions; they will share experiences about the transformative power of nonviolent direct action.

-- 2:00pm - 5:00pm Training for Grassroots Lobby Day. Tentatively American University. - "The Advocacy Training will prepare you for your lobby visit so that you can be effective in demanding that Congress act to end the Iraq War now. You must register for lobby day in order to be invited to an Advocacy Training so sign up today and join us in speaking truth to power inside the halls of Congress!"

-- 6 pm - 8:30 pm Interfaith Service on Washington Monument grounds, organized by Clergy and Laity Concerned about Iraq, "an interfaith coalition of religious leaders, faith communities, institutions, organizations, and lay leaders committed to peace and justice. Our urgent and pressing aim is to end both the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.....we believe the disgraceful engagement currently being pursued in Iraq cuts against a commitment to mutual cooperation and respect for all human life, and so we work for a new policy by the U.S. government. "

Monday, September 26, 2005
-- -- All Day Grassroots Lobby Day. Congressional Appointments all day long in House and Senate office buildings. Register online to participate. "Our goal is to have over 600 people from around the country meet with over 100 members of Congress and their aides. Our delegations will include Cindy Sheehan and fellow members of Gold Star Families for Peace....Make plans to join us today!

-- 10:00am - All Day Massive Nonviolent Direct Action at White House, "...a mass civil resistance action at the White House...this action will provide a dramatic opportunity to more directly express your opposition to the war makers. Building on many traditions of nonviolent action and civil resistance, the protest at the White House will bring together people from different communities and constituencies....

We will take our grief and outrage directly to the President, demanding that he hear our message - Bring the Troops Home Now, no more death and destruction. We will begin by solemnly encircling the White House to the intonement of bells and then move in waves to the White House gates to deliver our message. We will not leave until our message is heard! "
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For details, locations, fliers and many more events, see the Progressive Democrats of America site, as well as that for United for Peace & Justice.
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Related article - Iraq & National Security Statsitics, as of September 2005
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