Join This Weekend's Anti-War Fight

By Laura Barcella, AlterNet. Posted September 23, 2005.

This weekend's D.C. march, organized by United for Peace and Justice, promises to be a demonstration of historic proportions -- and it couldn't come at a better time.

Thankfully, the action won't just be limited to Washington. Activist groups across the country are organizing protests in cities nationwide.

Let your voice be heard -- check out our list, below, of state-by-state anti-war events to support this weekend.

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

"Alabama Says: Stop the War on Iraq!" activities include a rally and march. Meet at Kelly Ingram Park, 1700 6th Ave. N. from 2-5 p.m.. Other activities for Sept. 24 are also being planned. Contact: lahaynes@knology.net. Sponsored by Alabama Peace and Justice Coalition; Veterans for Peace, Alabama Chapter; Military Families Speak Out -- Alabama.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Saturday, Sept. 24 at noon, there is a rally and march in opposition to the war. Meet at Parkstrip-Vet's Memorial at Ninth & I St. Contact: jr4.l@att.net. Sponsored by Alaskans for Peace and Justice.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

On Saturday, Sept. 24, ANSWER is hosting a mass march and rally in downtown L.A. to help "fund people's needs, not the war machine." The march begins at noon at Olympic & Broadway, downtown LA. The rally is at 1:30 p.m. at the Federal Building at Los Angeles & Temple.

PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

At noon on Saturday, Sept. 24, there will be a peaceful anti-war rally at the corner of Palm Canyon and Tahquitz, in front of the library.

SALINAS, CALIFORNIA

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, a women-organized peace demonstration will be held at the corner of South Main Street and Blanco, in the Star Market parking lot. Email sage@redshift.com for more info.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Chuck Lowery has organized an oceanside anti-war rally at Balboa Park, at the corner of Sixth and Laurel in San Diego on September 24.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

CodePink has organized a "women say enough" anti-war mobilization for Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. at Dolores Park in the Mission District (Dolores Street at 19th). There will also be a host of other groups organizing at Dolores Park on Saturday.

On Monday, Sept. 26, United for Peace and Justice will host a "defund the war, defend our communities" rally at the Civic Center Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

At noon on Saturday, Sept. 24, there will be a march for peace, justice and freedom at Plaza Vera Cruz Park, 130 E. Cota Street.

SEBASTOPOL, CALIFORNIA

There's an "end the war vigil" held on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 11:30 a.m. Protesters will gather at the corners of HWY 12 (Bodega HWY) and HWY 116, in Sebastopol. Contact cognizant2@hotmail.com for more info.

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA

On Saturday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m., a rally begins in downtown Ventura at Mission Park, "with a Chumash smudging ceremony." The march starts at 1:30-ish and will proceed down Main Street to Fir Street, returning to Mission Park, where the rally will continue until 4 p.m. There will be "dynamic speakers, music, drum circles, ending with a white dove release." Contact: createpeace@sbcglobal.net.

CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO

Saturday Sept. 24, at 4:30 pm, protesters will meet at the four-war stop sign and "march up Elk Avenue and back in time to join the Vinotok mummers procession at 5 p.m." Contact: vsshaw@ecoisp.com.

DENVER, COLORADO

At 12:30 pm on Saturday, Sept. 24, anti-war organizers will meet at the West Steps of the State Capitol at Broadway and Colfax Streets. Contact: claire@3novembermovement.org.

DURANGO, COLORADO

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, there will be a peaceful procession through town. Meet at Rotary Park, 1500 2nd Avenue. Sponsored by Southwest Colorado Peace and Justice and Amnesty International. Contact: phissell99@lycos.com.

WASHINGTON D.C.

On Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 pm, the Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship will host a candlelight vigil and peace meditation at St. Stephen of the Incarnation, 1525 Newton St., NW DC. Contact: info@wbpf.org.

Before the march on Saturday, Sept. 24, there will be a "Jewish Breakfast Against the War" organized by a coalition of different groups opposed to war, including: JVP-DC, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) and others. Meet at 8 a.m. at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I Street, NW DC (in the Social Hall). Contact: dahliag@hotmail.com.

Between Saturday, Sept. 24 and Monday, Sept. 26, a rally, march, concert and interfaith service -- as well as civil disobedience actions and meetings with members of Congress -- are all being organized by the United for Peace and Justice coalition, in alliance with other groups. Click here for the full schedule.

The Women in Black will also host a silent vigil to mourn the war's dead on Saturday, Sept. 24; meet at 14th St. and Constitution Ave. at 11:30 a.m. Contact: parkerhead@earthlink.net.

Laura Barcella is AlterNet's front page editor.

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