Anti-War movement: A political force that can’t be ignored

[DaSangarTalib]

A new national poll shows that a near majority of voters either strongly or somewhat agree with a pledge not to vote for pro-war candidates. This makes the anti-war movement's potential impact on elections larger than pro-gun, anti-abortion, or anti-gay marriage voters. Politicians will have to pay heed to this new political force.

• The pledge states:

“I will not vote for or support any candidate for Congress or President who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq, and preventing any future war of aggression a public position in his or her campaign.”

The national poll found that 45.9% of U.S. voters agree – 20.1% strongly agree and 25.8% somewhat agree. Among Democrats 67.1% agreed – 33.3% strongly, 59.2% of Independents – 25.3% strongly and even 25.7% of Republicans agreed – 5.5% strongly. The poll was conducted by ICR Survey Research of Media, Pa., which also polls for ABC News, The Washington Post and many corporations and research organizations.

This poll demonstrates that anti-war voters are significant enough in size to effect the outcome of elections – if they become organized. Just like pro-gun groups have organized, pro-choice and pro-life groups have organized – now the anti-war constituency has been identified and the peace movement is ready to organize them. This will ensure that the anti-war movement will no longer be one that can be ignored.

A new group, VotersForPeace, has as its mission to educate, organize and activate voters who oppose the war. The group begins with grants totaling $1 million for 2006 and will organize voters not only to sign the pledge (you can do so at www.VotersForPeace.US, but also to influence Congress and provide voters with the information they need to understand the issues and be effective advocates.

Already many of the leading anti-war groups in the United States among them United for Peace and Justice, Peace Action, Not In Our Name, Democracy Rising, Code Pink, After Downing Street and Peace Majority are participating in the effort. The anti-war movement seems poised to focus their efforts on organizing peace voters into an effective political power.

VotersForPeace will educate voters through an ongoing web-based and print advertising campaign. In this effort the group is working across the political spectrum from the American Conservative to the Nation Magazine. The organization's goal is to organize two million voters in 2006 and five million by 2008.

Organized anti-war voters who pledge not to vote for pro-war candidates may force the Democrats in particular to develop a stronger position against the war. The Democrats may now realize that if they fail to represent the anti-war community voters will stay home or vote for alternative party and independent candidates.

Republicans are not free to ignore the anti-war constituency either. Not only do more that 25 percent of Republican voters oppose candidates who support the war, but the fastest growing group of voters – independents – overwhelmingly support the pledge. So, that all important swing voter can cause Republicans to lose elections – and could become a new source of support for Democrats – or if both parties fail to support voters wishes then candidates running independent of the two parties may find a new foundation on which to build an independent political movement.

This new politically focused effort comes at a time when the occupation of Iraq is losing public support. Only 37% of Americans believe the invasion of Iraq was worth it, 54% believe the U.S. should withdraw within a year, and only 22% believe America is sure to win (down from 79% in 2003) according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. A CBS poll found 70 per cent of Americans think the result of the war with Iraq was not worth the loss of American life and other costs. More and more Americans agree the invasion and occupation of Iraq was a mistake.

The anti-war voting block poll comes on the heels of poll by Le Moyne College and Zogby of veterans showing 72 percent favor withdrawal from Iraq within a year. And, a poll by the University of Maryland on January 31 that shows Iraqis want the U.S. to leave and 67% believe they will be better off when the U.S. leaves.

Polls show the Iraq occupation is not wanted by Iraqis or U.S. citizens, nor is it wanted by U.S. soldiers in Iraq or the foreign policy establishment in Washington, DC. This is the war nobody wants and now anti-war voters know they have the political power to end the war – as well as end the careers of politicians who support the occupation. Politicians who don't see this new electoral power coming may find themselves out of office. And, the military-industrial complex may find themselves overwhelmed by voters taking back their government and saying “no” to the permanent war economy.

Kevin Zeese is director of Democracy Rising, a co-founder of VotersForPeace and a candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland.

[afriend]

That's right.

Good 1 bro.

Maybe we can have candidate's against the war, and next election (in UK) ppl wont b voting for the sake of Politics, they will be mostly voting to end the turmoil in Iraq.

[DaSangarTalib]

LOL heres another related article:


Anti-war protesters organised massive rallies across the globe Saturday protesting the U.S-led unjustified war on Iraq marking the third anniversary of the invasion.

UK, Basra, New York, Madrid, Rome, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Dublin will all stage protests, demanding the U.S. and foreign troops withdraw from the war-torn country.

In Sydney, around 500 demonstrators marched chanting "End the war now and "Troops out of Iraq," and waving anti-Bush placards.

"World's No. 1 Terrorist" read some of the placards, referring to the American President. Other demonstrators held banners warning against another U.S. war in the region, this time against Iran.

"Iraq is a quagmire and has been a humanitarian disaster for the Iraqis," said Jean Parker, a member of the Australian branch of the Stop the War Coalition, one of the groups organizing the protests.

"There is no way forward without ending the occupation."

Australia has 1,300 troops in and around Iraq. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who was on a visit to Sydney this week was heckled by campaigners, who said she had "blood on her hands."

The U.S. war in war in Iraq enters its fourth year this week, with question regarding when foreign troops will leave the devastated country becoming more pressing.

The President George W. Bush seems persistent “not to cut and run”, insisting that any withdrawals will be based only “on the recommendations of his battlefield commanders.”

In Tokyo, 2,000 people protestors marched in a downtown park, waving signs reading "Stop the Occupation". Also a number of political figures gave out speeches during the rallies.

"The war is illegal under international law," said Takeshiko Tsukushi, a member of World Peace Now, which helped plan the rally.

"We want the immediate withdrawal of the Self Defense Forces and from Iraq along with all foreign troops."

"Murderer USA"
In Turkey, Iraq's northern neighbor and the only Muslim-majority member of the NATO military alliance, thousands of peace activists gathered in Istanbul protesting Iraq war. Other rallies were set to take place in the cities of Izmir, Trabzon and the capital, Ankara.

"Murderer USA," read a sign unfurled by a communist in Istanbul.

"USA, go home!" read others signs held by hundreds demonstrators who gathered in Kadikoy.

Diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Turkey were strained after the Turkish parliament refused to permit U.S. forces launch operations against Iraq from Turkish soil.

In Pakistan, hundreds of Islamists and human right activists held rallies chanting "Down with America".

About 300 Islamists, including several women, marched through Multan in the eastern Punjab province, chanting anti-U.S. slogans.

"We have gathered here to tell America that we want peace, not war," said Babar Man, a local Islamic leader, urging President Bush to end the devastating war in Iraq.

In the southern city of Karachi, human rights activists held other rallies condemning the U.S. invasion of invasion of Iraq.

More protests and peace rallies are organised across Europe

London protests

Protesters also gathered Saturday in the British capital ahead of rally calling on the UK government, headed by Prime Minister Tony Blair,to withdraw British troops from Iraq.

The rally in central London, which marks the third anniversary of Iraq war, is organised by CND, Stop The War Coalition, and the Muslim Association of Britain.

A similar rally is organised to be held in Trafalgar Square after a march expected to pass the attorney general's office.

This is the first time to hold co-ordinated demonstrations in the United States, Britain and Iraq.

"We believe that a peaceful solution to the chaos caused by the illegal war in Iraq will only be possible when the occupying foreign armies have all been removed so that the Iraqi people will be free to decide on their own political future,” Lindsey German, Convenor of Stop the War Coalition, said in London.

United in our call

"Our demonstration is one of over 200 taking place in cities and towns all over the world, including in Basra and Baghdad in Iraq. We will all be united in our call for the occupation to end immediately."

Also Kate Hudson, chairwoman of CND, said there was also "grave concern" about the threat of another war in the region, referring to Iran.

"The U.S. is making charges about a covert nuclear weapons programme in Iran without presenting any credible evidence. These charges are strikingly similar to the false accusations raised to justify the invasion of Iraq three years ago.

"The government must listen to the voices of the people, which is calling on them to bring the troops home from Iraq and to solve the Iranian issue peacefully and diplomatically."

"We will continue until we see the last general running for a helicopter on the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad," read a statement from Stop the War Alliance.

[snakelegs]

"Re: Anti-War movement: A political force that can’t be ignored "

i hope you are right, but i have my doubts (i'm in the u.s.) that anyone is listening.

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[Eric H]

Greetings and peace snakelegs;

i hope you are right, but i have my doubts (i'm in the u.s.) that anyone is listening.

We must all pray for peace and add our vote for peace, individuals can make a difference.

In the spirit of seeking justice for all

Eric

[Wahid]

"Re: Anti-War movement: A political force that can’t be ignored "

i hope you are right, but i have my doubts (i'm in the u.s.) that anyone is listening.

i know, as long as there is no viloence it wont get any media attention or have any political force sadly
demonstrations before iraq war were in millions with no results at all

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace Vahid;

i know, as long as there is no viloence it wont get any media attention or have any political force sadly
demonstrations before iraq war were in millions with no results at all

That is all the more reason that each one of us must add our name to the peace movement, we must grow stronger in peace and justice.

In the spirit of seeking justice for all people

Eric