Anti-War Committee

Israeli security forces refused entry to three U.S. solidarity activists for attempting to participate in a human rights delegation. They were treated as criminals, while their only goal was to learn about the reality of life for the Palestinian people. Sarah Martin, member of Women Against Military Madness, and Katrina Plotz, of the Anti-War Committee, refused voluntary deportation, and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv informed us that they were forcibly deported Sunday evening. The third traveler, Karen Sullivan also of the Anti-War Committee, was already deported and returned home to Minneapolis on Sunday.

We have just learned that Israeli security forces have refused entry to three U.S. activists attempting to visit the Palestinian Territories. One of them, Karen Sullivan, is being sent home on a flight tonight, and two others, Sarah Martin and Katrina Plotz have refused to leave, and are being taken into custody. They are being treated as criminals, while their only goal was to learn about the reality of life for the Palestinian people. All three should be allowed to enter the country, as millions of tourists do every year.

Given the special relationship that the U.S. has with Israel, it is no surprise that U.S. citizens would want to travel there, and see how our tax dollars are spent. In spite of its special relationship with the U.S., the Israeli government showed no regard for the rights of American visitors, whose only crime was to express solidarity with the people of occupied Palestine.

Palestinians experience repression every day. There is no way to travel to Palestinian cities, or from one Palestinian city to another, without passing through Israeli military checkpoints. Palestinian refugees who live outside the territories, have a legal right to return home, but face the same obstacles that stopped Karen, Katrina and Sarah at the Tel Aviv airport today.

Katrina and Sarah have refused to cooperate in the face of this injustice, and have been sent to an Israeli jail. They have been told they will not be allowed to enter the country, and instead will be handcuffed and forced onto a departing plane.

We urge everyone to call, write and fax the officials below to demand the immediate release for Katrina Plotz and Sarah Martin, and to urge Israeli authorities to allow both women into the country to witness the reality of life inside the Palestinian Territories, where they have been invited and are welcome. [Contact info below]

Anti-war protesters will gather to express their opposition to President Obama’s surge of 21,000 troops in Afghanistan on Thursday, July 23rd at 5:30 pm in front of May Day Books at 301 Cedar Avenue South in Minneapolis. Protestors will be bannering, chanting and handing out flyers to encourage other Minnesotans to speak out against the war and occupation in Afghanistan.

links to big downloadable JPGs at the bottom.

Eryn of the RNC 8

Gerardo of SINALTRAINAL (the Columbian labor union), translated by Erika

approx. 75 people Gathering in front of Walker Church

Many of the anarchists carried a message of Greek solidarity

[ For Immediate Release: September 4, 2008 ]

On Thursday September 4, the final day of the Republican National Convention, the Anti-War Committee held a permitted rally at 4pm at the Minnesota State Capitol to protest Senator McCain’s nomination as the Republican candidate for president. Individuals and groups expressed their opposition to the war in Iraq and as well as to attacks on other communities at home and abroad. The rally was attended by 2,000 people who heard fiery speakers and listened to the protest music of local band Junkyard Empire.