News Item/Calendar Listing

For immediate release        March 11, 2010

Portlanders to Protest 7 Years Since Iraq Invasion with Rally, March and Teach-In
Saturday, March 20, 2010 12:00 Noon
Terry Schrunk Plaza/First Unitarian Church

Details:

What:
Rally and teach-in:
Iraq, Seven Years Later: Change US Foreign Policy-Bring All the Troops Home!

When/Where:
Saturday, March 20, 2010
12 noon, rally, Terry Schrunk Plaza, SW 3rd and Madison, Portland
12:30 PM march to teach-in

1:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Teach-in (refreshments and literature available)
Main St Sanctuary, First Unitarian Church, SW 12th and Main, Portland

With the uncertain outcome of the March 7 elections continuing to have the potential to delay the withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraq, Portlanders are gearing up to protest the ongoing presence of the US military and "contractors" on the anniversary of the 2003 invasion. On Saturday, March 20, an event titled "Iraq, Seven Years Later: Change US Foreign Policy--Bring All the Troops Home!" begins with a rally at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 12 noon (SW 3rd and Madison), continues with a march through downtown Portland at 12:30 PM, followed by a "teach-in" at First Unitarian Church from 1:00 to 3:30 PM (SW 12th and Main).

The themes addressed throughout the day will include the expansion of US military presence and US support for military occupations throughout the Middle East:

End the Occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine

Stop the Expanding Attacks in the Middle East: No Drone Strikes in Pakistan

No War on Iran

US Out of Latin America!

The day's events are being coordinated by Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group and cosponsored or endorsed by at least 20 other organizations.

Cosponsors include: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom-Portland; Portland Peaceful Response Coalition; Center for Intercultural Organizing; American Iranian Friendship Council; Women in Black; American Friends Service Committee; International Socialist Organization; Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights (SUPER); Metanoia Peace Community; Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility; Portland Central America Solidarity Committee (PCASC); Crosstrade Solidarity; War Resisters League-Portland; Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights (AUPHR), and The Peace Project--New Directions for American Foreign Policy.

Endorsers include Recruiter Watch PDX, Freedom Socialist Party, IUPAT Painters Local 10; Workers Action, and Portland Jobs with Justice.