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December 17
Anti-War Protest Vigil
Sat. Dec. 17, 2005.
Hollywood & Highland
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Listen to mp3s of speeches by
Ron Kovic (8:39 min.)
and
Blase Bonpane.(5:43)
 On
Saturday Dec 17, more than 300 protestors converged at the corner of
Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles for an anti-war vigil and
rally demanding an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq. The
vigil was initiated by the A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End
Racism) Coalition and sponsored by hundreds of other progressive
organizations and individuals, including the Coalition for World
Peace, Los Angeles Greens, Office of the Americas, Muslim Students
Association-CSULB, CISPES-LA, National Committee to Free the Cuban
Five, Global Women's Strike-LA, Party for Socialism and Liberation,
Casa del Pueblo, KmB Pro-People Youth, Pastors for Peace-LA, MEChA,
Topanga Peace Alliance, Latino Movement USA, Youth & Student
A.N.S.W.E.R. and more.
Speakers at the rally included Ron Kovic, Vietnam veteran and author
of "Born on the Fourth of July"; Malena Hinze, ANSWER Coalition;
Blasé Bonpane, Office of the Americas; Aimee Hunter, Party for
Socialism and Liberation; and others. Muna Coobtee of the Free
Palestine Alliance chaired the rally.
 The
protestors held anti-war banners and carried signs with slogans
against the war, in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and
against racism. People chanted "Bring the Troops Home Now," and
passed out thousands of flyers about upcoming anti-war actions to
passersby. There was live music, street theatre and rousing protest
caroling.
All who attended pledged their determination to continue the
struggle against, war, racism, sexism, homophobia and all forms of
bigotry in 2006. There was wide support for the upcoming March 18
and 20 Global Days Of Action. On March 18, tens of thousands will
join together for a mass march and rally in Los Angeles to
commemorate the third anniversary of the U.S. "shock and awe"
invasion of Iraq. Two days later, young people and students will
take part in a "day of resistance to imperialism" on campuses
throughout the city and nation.
Report by Jennifer Caldwell, A.N.S.W.E.R.-LA
Ron Kovic
Blase Bonpane
The Freedom People
Dubya asks Santa for more bombs and more countries to
invade
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