U.S./NATO Troops Out Now! No to Imperialist Wars, Occupations, Sanctions, Embargoes!
Self-determination for All Oppressed People!
The United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) was founded on the principle of self-determination for all oppressed nations and peoples. We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S./NATO troops, mercenaries and drones from Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Libya. We have every confidence that, free from imperialist intervention of every type, the oppressed nations and peoples of the world are fully capable of building societies that represent their interests as opposed to the imperial exploiters, neo-colonialists and would-be subjugators.
We have seen the horrific consequences of U.S. wars, "humanitarian" interventions, starvation sanctions, crippling embargoes and targeted assassinations. All have been employed to justify renewed imperialist conquest.
It is our task and obligation as antiwar and social justice activists within the United States to prevent the U.S./NATO's enormous military, economic and media power from imposing its will on the oppressed of the world in order to benefit the interest of the U.S. power elite – the 1%. UNAC opposes any form of U.S. military or economic intervention, sanctions, sabotage and assassinations in Iran and Syria, in Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Africa in general and in all other countries, regions and continents where the Pentagon, the CIA, the State Department or their allies seek to impose their will.
From: ujp-discuss-owner@lists.riseup.net [mailto:ujp-discuss-owner@lists.riseup.net] On Behalf Of Tyler Cullis
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:52 PM
To: ujp-discuss@lists.riseup.net
Subject: Re: Reply: [ujp-discuss] Syria - protest at Park Street and/or educational program??
I have never viewed either lying or being agnostic about the crimes of others to be particularly useful in organizing people to an anti-intervention platform. That is as true in the case of Bashar al-Assad as others. It does not take a genius to figure out how to cater messaging so that we oppose both U.S.-NATO intervention in Syria and the brutalities of the Syrian regime.
In fact, I think it works quite the opposite: if we deny the crimes of Bashar al-Assad (and others) on flimsy grounds, then we’ll look to others just like what we are – fringe activists dedicated to remaining on the fringe. However, if we say that yes, Bashar al-Assad is a brutal dictator (just like his father) and the Syrian opposition (for all its faults) has the right to challenge his leadership, but U.S.-NATO intervention will make things worse and kill off any hopes at self-determination on the part of the Syrian people, then that is something people could be attracted to.
I suppose, if asked, most people would support the right of people to determine their own futures free from violence and unwanted influence. Why give up that moral claim, then? Why say that self-determination for the Syrian people is important when it comes to the U.S. and NATO, but unimportant (and even damaging) when it comes to Bashar al-Assad?
You would lose me if a call denied the brutalities of the Syrian regime, and I’m an anti-interventionist. Who, then, do you expect to attract with that messaging?
Tyler
On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 12:29 PM, David Rolde
I can't believe people are diverting by arguing about whether or not to include Libertarians. The more important issue is that we need to have clarity on Syria! The imperialist leaders of the so-called "USA", NATO, the Zionist regime, and the U.S.-puppet Arab monarchies are sending in agents and arming mercenaries to blow things up and shoot people in Syria. Then the imperialists, and the western media which they own and control, falsely accuse the Syrian government of wrong-doing. It is the Zionist imperialists who perpetrated the Houla massacre, not the Syrian government. But we have some people in Boston who are ostensibly anti-war activists, and who say they oppose military intervention, but who parrot the imperialist propaganda line of accusations against the Syrian government and who even share the imperialist goal of regime change in Syria. Even Elaine Hagopian is doing a version of this now. Regime change means chaos or the installation of a pro-U.S. pro-Zionist neoliberal puppet regime in Syria. The imperialists are spending a lot of money and effort on their propaganda campaign against Syria. If we accept this false propaganda as truth, then we are accepting the pre-text for all-out war on Syria. Our opposition would be hollow. And just as importantly, if we don't oppose the propaganda, then we fail to oppose the intense and terrible covert U.S.-imperialist war on Syria that is going on now and that has been going on for a while now. Anti-war activists in Boston need to stand in solidarity with the Syrian people and their government against the imperialist agents and imperialist-armed terrorists who are attacking Syria right now. We need to stand in solidarity with the Syrian people and their government not only for the sake of Syria but also in solidarity with Palestinians, Lebanese and Iranians who are in alliance with Syria and who are also targets of the same imperialism that is targetting Syria, and in solidarity with billions of people in Russia, China and elsewhere who are eventual targets of genocidal imperialist violence after and if the U.S./NATO conquer Syria and Iran.
I strongly suggest including the International Action Center and A.N.S.W.E.R. in any anti-war rally for Syria. I strongly suggest excluding speakers who would agree with the official NATO accusations against Syria and/or who are calling for regime change in Syria. If there are anti-imperialist Libertarians, I wouldn't see a problem with them if they stick to the issue, and if they are really opposed to corporate Democrat/Republican governance of the "USA". Ron Paul is not a Libertarian. He is a Republican and a racist. I don't think it would be useful to have a presidential campaign speech for Ron Paul at an anti-war rally.
~ David Rolde
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