500+ Anti-War Actions Planned Across the US

500+ Anti-War Actions Planned Across the US

t r u t h o u t | Press Release

Wednesday 15 March 2006

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.

The week of local actions will include protests outside Congressional offices, peace marches and rallies, interfaith services, candlelight vigils, and nonviolent civil disobedience. From Tucson, AZ, to Boise, ID, to Fayetteville, NC, to Buffalo, NY, communities will call for an immediate end to the war in Iraq.

During the week of action, veterans and military families will unite their call for peace with hurricane survivors' call for justice on a five-day march and caravan from Mobile to New Orleans. Four Latino veterans and military families have begun a 241-mile march for peace from Tijuana, Mexico, to San Francisco. Other highlights of the week include: a National Day of Local Media Protest on Wednesday, March 15; a National Day of Youth and Student Action Against the War on Thursday, March 16; Local Actions to Keep the Pressure on Congress on Monday, March 20; and a Global Call for Nonviolent Resistance to End the US-Led Occupation of Iraq on Monday, March 20. For a full list of US and international actions, visit United for Peace, the Title is also linked back to UFPJ.



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United for Peace and Justice is the largest US peace and justice coalition with more than 1,400 member groups under its umbrella. Since its founding in October 2002, UFPJ has spurred hundreds of protests and rallies around the country, including the largest demonstrations against the Iraq war.
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And along with this coming weekends Actions:

Sir! No Sir! In Theaters

I am very happy to announce that this Spring, "Sir! No Sir!" will be opening in theaters nationwide!


As of today, March 14, the initial theatrical openings will be:


April 7 San Francisco The Red Vic Movie House

April 19 New York IFC Center

April 28 Denver Starz Film Center

May 5 Los Angeles Laemmle Monica
Laemmle Pasadena

May 12 Atlanta Landmark Midtown 8

May 12 or 19 Washington DC Landmark E Street



There will be more to announce in the weeks ahead. To keep up with new theatrical openings, go to the "Sir! No Sir!" web site, or the web site for our distributor Balcony Releasing.


On April 6 at 7 pm, there will be a special preview screening at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland. The screening will benefit the Iraq Veterans Against the War and will feature filmmaker David Zeiger, veterans from the film, and speakers from the current resistance inside the military. This event is being presented in partnership with Global Exchange, Courage to Resist, Not Your Soldier, Leave My Child Alone, Not in Our Name, Ruckus Society, Art in Action, Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, and Veterans for Peace.


On April 17 there will be two Sneak Preview screenings--7:30 and 9:30--at the IFC Center in New York. Jane Fonda, David Zeiger, and veterans from the film will be in attendance for a Q&A between the screenings.


For information about these two events, contact Celia Alario, celia@riseup.net.


THE THEATRICAL TRAILER IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE "SIR! NO SIR!" WEB SITE:
The direct link for the trailer on Cable or DSL

The direct link for the trailer on Modem


PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THIS EXCITING TRAILER EVERYWHERE ON THE INTERNET THROUGH YOUR EMAIL LISTS, BLOGS, AND WEB SITES.


You can also download the beautiful new film poster HERE


I'd like to take this opportunity to again thank all of you who have helped in the struggle to get "Sir! No Sir!" into the world. It has been a long road, and today the suppressed story of the GI resistance to the Vietnam War is more urgent and relevant than ever. With your continuing support, we can make 2006 the Year of "Sir! No Sir!"


Sincerely,
David Zeiger

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"Sir! No Sir!" combines exceptional artistry and insightful analysis with great story telling. This is no facile agitprop piece, but a careful dissection of a growing military rebellion that permanently altered American society, but has largely been forgotten.
International Documentary Magazine



Nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary
Audience Award Best Documentary--Los Angeles Film Festival
Jury Award Best Documentary--Hamptons International Film Festival
Jury Award Best Film on War and Peace--Vermont International Film Festival
Nominated for a Gotham Award and International Documentary Association Award

www.sirnosir.com
Displaced Films
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www.displacedfilms.com