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Note: this event featured the debut appearance of
the "mini-tower of peace," which sat atop our
little wagon of peace at the rally, reaching 8 feet in height.
Though we did not get a photo on site, you can see it
hanging on our office wall in the photo below.

Remembering the Relentless Bombing
of Iraq Since 2003
Friday, March 22, 2024 5:00 PM
Weekly Friday Rally for Peace and Justice
Please mask up
and stay distanced for safety
Pioneer Courthouse Square,
SW Yamhill and Broadway

On March 19, 2003, the US launched a massive invasion and occupation of Iraq, based on George W. Bush's false assertions of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and leading to mass devastation from a "shock and awe" bombing campaign. In 2011, President Barack Obama withdrew most of the troops. In 2014, Obama sent more US military back into Iraq to engage in warfare against the Islamic State. In 2017, President Donald Trump stepped up the bombing, destroying most of the Iraqi city of Mosul. In 2020, Trump ordered the assassination in Iraq of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, leading to a vote by the Iraqi Parliament to eject all US troops. In December 2021, President Joe Biden decided to leave 2500 American military personnel in Iraq, where they remain to this day. As of late January, US forces in Iraq have been the target of attacks over 55 times (and the 900 troops in Syria over 85 times) largely due to American support for Israel's bombardment of Gaza in October. The US has conducted what it says are defensive retaliatory strikes, which Iraq sees as a violation of its sovereignty. On February 2, 2024, the US launched 85 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for attacks on American troops in Jordan.

The world seems to respond differently to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Hamas' attack on Israel when compared to Israel's disproportionate response and the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan or countless other military and economic acts of warfare. Some say the US' disregard for international law has opened the proverbial floodgates.

Iraqis have been subject to US interference by war, sanctions and occupation since August, 1990. Iraq's infrastructure has never fully recovered from the the 1991 "Gulf War," the 2003 invasion and other American-led actions. Even if the US removes its troops, as is being considered, their influence-- and the world's largest embassy-- will remain in Baghdad. Join us to remember the past, call attention to the present and call for a better future.

Coordinated by Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group as part of the weekly Friday Rally for Peace and Justice, held since Nov. 2001.

For more information, or if your group would like to cosponsor or endorse this event, contact Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group at 503-236-3065 or iraq@pjw.info.


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Resources

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Fact sheet

Photo of mini-tower of peace

Peace and Justice Works
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065
pjw@pjw.info

Page posted February 3, 2024, last updated March 23, 2024

 

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