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The National Anti-war Conference on June 28-29 |
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At least 16 Pittsburghers, mostly associated with the Antiwar Committee (AWC) of the Thomas Merton Center and the University of Pittsburgh, recently attended and helped to organize a potentially historic national antiwar conference in Cleveland on June 28 and 29. We felt that the National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan War and Occupation was a genuine success. The result is a new, vibrant entity that has the potential for accomplishing its goal of a democratic, unified antiwar movement that is politically independent and can mobilize millions of people demanding that U.S. troops be immediately brought home. Click here for more info about the conference. A report-back session by many of the activists who attended will be held on Sunday, July 13 at 1:30pm at the Thomas Merton Center. Join us as we discuss the conference and plan our next steps and how to plug into the national antiwar movement. See Zaineb's poetry about the war . Zaineb, an Iraqi who we met at the conference, lived under two wars before coming to the U.S.
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Nearly 1,000 March to Protest 5 Years to Many |
As Clinton and Obama attempt to curry favor in a pre-dominantly antiwar city, the Thomas Merton Center Antiwar Committee, with the support of more than 30 groups, held a rally, march and memorial service to "5 years too many." Following a 1pm rally at CMU's Software Engineering Institute, the energetic and eye-catching march proceeded through Oakland to Flagstaff Hill, where Christians, Muslims and Bhuddists held an interfaith memorial service to mourn all the victims of the war.
The Software Engineering Institute was chosen to be the starting point for the rally because it is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center sponsored by the Department of Defense.
Preceding the rally was be a "dusk-to-dawn" candlelight vigil; a silent "Zen Sitting/Meditation for Peace." a "peace circle" 12 noon; a student contingent gathering and march at 12 noon; a women's contingent feeder march at 12:15pm; and a pre-rally concert featuring Phat Mandee and Mike Stout at 12:30pm. Following the Flagstaff memorial the student contingent gathered at Rea Coffeehouse on the Chatham College for a "speak out" and party.
[ Photos 1 2 3 4 5 (includes other antiwar events) | Post-Gazette | Pitt News | Tribune-Review | Pittsburgh City Paper (has photos) | WPXI (video) | WTAE | Rustbelt Radio (audio-mp3) ] |
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DOWNLOAD PRESS KIT | FLYERS
 As the five year anniversary of the war draws near, the Thomas Merton Center Anti-War Committee is planning a creative march and commemoration of everybody who has been killed in this senseless war - Iraqis, Americans, and others. We are inviting religious leaders from several faiths to speak at a public memorial service for those victims, and we are encouraging people to make fake coffins and other props. READ DETAILS ABOUT MARCH 29
Rally & March
Saturday, March 29, 1pm
Software Engineering Institute
5th Ave. & S. Craig (Oakland)
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Memorial Service
For all the victims of the Iraq war
Saturday, March 29, 2:30pm
Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park
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A dusk-to-dawn vigil at the Community of Reconciliation Church (Bellefield & 5th) will precede the march, as well as two "feeder" marches: a women's feeder will gather at the Carnegie library at 12:15pm; a student contingent will gather at 12:00 at the William Pitt Union. The student contingent will also have an anti-war rally and party afterwards.
Please ENDORSE this event or GET INVOLVED. On Facebook? Tell your friends!
 Last Wednesday, several carloads of Pittsburghers travelled to Washington, DC for nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience coordinated by United for Peace and Justice.
Read a first hand account of March 19th in DC by Nawal Rajah, Thomas Merton Center Antiwar Intern.
 Earlier this month the Thomas Merton Center screened live testimonies of Iraq and Afghanistan vets in an unprecedented weekend organized by Iraq Vets Against the War. Watch the "Winter Testimonies" online at Iraq Vets Against the War.
Click here for a complete schedule of local 5th anniversary events.
Download Flyers:
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Vigil - 4000 U.S. Soldier Death |
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Tragically the 4,000th US soldier's death happened on Sunday night. We are calling on people to join us in remembering not only the US soldiers killed and wounded but all the innocent Iraqis as well.
Candlelight Vigil for the Human Cost of the Iraq War
Tuesday, March 25th, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 Highland Ave, East Liberty Read more...
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