March+19,+Media+Release,+Anti-War+Coalition

=Media Release: Joburg Mobilises for 19 March Global Day of Action= =Against War=

Issued by: Anti-War Coalition (AWC), Gauteng, 7 March 2005
The Gauteng Anti-War Coalition (AWC) has declared March 19-21 a weekend of activism against war to coincide with actions taking place around the world as part of a global day of action against the US war on Iraq. The program begins with a mass march through downtown Johannesburg on 19 March, followed by a festival of music and poetry and a series of workshops and films on war and occupation in Iraq and Palestine, the role of South African mercenaries in Iraq, ongoing wars in Africa, and the war against the poor in South Africa.

Uniting under the banner "War Against Profit Not People," the AWC mobilization will highlight several key issues. First, we will protest the ongoing US occupation of Iraq. Despite the recent elections, resistance attacks have escalated, the new Iraqi assembly has very few powers, and the occupiers show no sign of leaving. Second, we will emphasize the role of South African mercenaries in Iraq. There are currently 40,000 mercenaries operating in Iraq, comprising more than 1 in 5 of the coalition soldiers. South Africans make up the third largest mercenary force in Iraq, with estimates of up to 10,000 South African mercenaries working for ten South African companies. We demand their withdrawal and their prosecution under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. Third, we want to highlight the continuing role of imperialism throughout Africa. Even though all African countries are today free from colonial rule, imperialism continues to drive conflicts and wars throughout the continent, impoverishing millions and depriving Africans of fundamental human rights such as health, water, housing, and education. Finally, we will stand in solidarity with the ongoing Palestinian struggle for freedom. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues confiscating land, building settlements, constructing the Apartheid Wall, and carrying out military incursions into Palestinian territory. While the South African government promotes trade ties with Israel, it is up to people's movements to sustain the humanity of oppressed people.

March 19: International Day of Mobilisation Against War - 10:00 am: Convergence at the JHB Civic Centre for procession to Newtown - 2:00 pm: Anti-War Festival at the Workers' Library, Newtown

Other events will be announced later this week.

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