invasion and occupation
Post 9-11, the war drums were soon beating loudly in Washington, as citizens converged on the Nation’s Capital in October, 2002, to protest Invasion of Afghanistan, followed by mass demonstrations across the country and the world, in the months leading up to invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003. Thousands marched in January, 2003, coinciding with the Birthday Commemoration of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. who publicly opposed War and the social, economic and moral costs of war.
...One other challenge that we face is simply that we must find an alternative to war and bloodshed. Anyone who feels, and there are still a lot of people who feel that way, that war can solve the social problems facing mankind is sleeping through a great revolution.
- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution, March 31, 1968
Black Voices for Peace formed, “to provide a space for Black people in the U.S., to add their voice and energy to denounce the unjust war in Iraq and connect injustices of that war to injustices that People of Color and other marginalized people face in their communities on a daily basis.
- Felicia Eaves, Co-founder, BVFP.
The Day the World Said No to War - February 15, 2003 - 30 million people demonstrated in over 100 nations, the largest global peace demonstration in the history of political activism, as one news reporter claimed, “The demonstrations show there are two superpowers on the planet: The United States and Worldwide Public Opinion.” March 15th, another global protest and, on March 20th, media headlines blared, Night of Shock and Awe, as rockets lit up the sky over Bagdad, U.S. saturation bombing killing civilians as well as military targets.
Cultural workers lifted spirits with songs, chants, theatre and percussions--The Rhythm Workers were joined by tall puppets from social justice theatre group, Bread and Puppet. Social activist-singer-songwriters, Emma’s Revolution, led a gathering before the White House on the Eve of Invasion, singing, “Peace, Salaam, Shalom,” written post 9-11, in response to targeting Muslims and people of Arab descent as the enemy.
Veterans took to the streets, having experienced firsthand war’s devastation. As the war intensified, demonstrations continued throughout the country and the world. In Los Angeles, youth placed posters on their scooters and peace signs on their cheeks.