500+ Anti-War Actions Planned Across the U.S.

Marking three years since the US-led bombing and invasion of Iraq began, peace groups across the United States are holding anti-war actions March 15-22. United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), the nation's largest anti-war coalition, is coordinating the local events as part of a nationwide week of action to end the Iraq war.

With more than 500 events planned in all 50 states, the anti-war movement will take to the streets to send a clear message to Congress and the White House: After three years of a failed policy, the Iraq war must end. It's time to bring all the troops home.

According to a CBS poll released Monday (3/13/06), 67% of the US public thinks the Iraq war has not made the US safer, and 59% wants to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq. The White House continues to ignore the majority opposition to the war, which has already cost the lives of more than 2,300 US troops and tens of thousands of Iraqis. After three years of war, Iraq is wracked by violence and threatened with the prospect of civil war, Iraqi civilians are suffering from a lack of basic services, including electricity and clean water, and women's rights are being eroded.

"How many more people need to die before the US government changes course? We've already spent $250 billion on the war, but things in Iraq keep getting worse. Instead of approving another $72 billion for war, Congress should be figuring out how much money will be needed to bring our troops home now and take care of them when they get here," said Leslie Cagan, UFPJ National Coordinator.

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