UNACpeace@gmail.com           518-227-6947             www.UNACpeace.org   The United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) invites you to two panels at the Left Forum May 30-31, 2015, New York City   John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York 524 W. 59th St at Amsterdam Ave. WHY WE FOCUS ON U.S. IMPERIALIST WARS Saturday, May 30 Session 1, 10:00-11:50 am, Room 1.83   Abstract:  Many antiwar groups have joined with the U.S. in condemning Russia or ISIS or others that the U.S. government sees as its enemy. This has led some to not take up the fight against U.S. military attacks in Libya, Syria or Ukraine. However, it is the U.S. that is the main terrorist force and the cause of war in all these areas. This panel will discuss the role of the U.S. military abroad and how we can stop it Joe Lombardo, Co-Coordinator, UNAC Sara Flounders, Co-Director, International Action Center Additional speaker tba     THE WARS COME HOME Sunday, May 31 Session 6, 12:00-1:50 pm, Room 1.85   Abstract: Since 9/11, we have not only seen continuous war abroad but increased militarization of the police, attacks on Muslim and communities of color, austerity and attacks on our civil liberties. This is what UNAC means when we call for an end to the War at Home and Abroad. The panel will discuss this situation and how we can fight against it.   Margaret Kimberley, Editor and Senior Columnist, Black Agenda Report Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor, Pan-African News Wire and a Co-founder of the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice Marilyn Levin, Co-Coordinator, UNAC     FREE OSCAR LOPEZ RIVERA! EAST COAST MARCH 2015 Saturday, May 30, NYC West Harlem – El Barrio Now age 72, Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera has served more than 30 years in prison, convicted of seditious conspiracy for his commitment to the independence of Puerto Rico, though he was not accused or convicted of causing harm or taking a life.  Serving a sentence of 70 years, he is among the longest held political prisoners in the history of Puerto Rico and in the world. Route & Rally: Assemble at 11:00 am 125th & Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.  March east to Lexington, then south to 106th & Lexington St. rally site. info@freeoscarnycmay30.org       http://freeoscarnycmay30.org/     Red Crescent relief ship to Yemen stopped by US-backed Saudi destruction of Yemeni port. (Excerpts taken from report of U.S. resident Caleb Maupin of the International Action Committee who was on the ship delivering humanitarian aid, writing from Djibouti on May 23, 2015.)   I Have Witnessed A Crime Against Humanity! - A Message from Caleb Maupin in the Port of Djibouti From the Port of Djibouti in North Africa, it is with great sadness and burning outrage that I announce that the voyage of the Iran Shahed Rescue Ship has concluded. We will not reach our destination at the Port of Hodiedah in Yemen to deliver humanitarian aid. The unsuccessful conclusion of our mission is the result of only one thing: US-backed Saudi Terrorism.  Yesterday, as it appeared our arrival was imminent, the Saudi forces bombed the port of Hodiedah. They didn’t just bomb the port once, or even twice. The Saudi forces bombed the port of Hodiedah a total of eight times in a single day! The total number of innocent dock workers, sailors, longshoremen, and bystanders killed by these eight airstrikes is still being calculated.   With its so many criminal threats and actions, the Saudi regime was sending a message to the crew of doctors, medical technicians, anesthesiologists, and other Red Crescent Society volunteers onboard the ship. The message was “If you try to help the hungry children of Yemen we will kill you.”  These actions, designed to terrorize and intimidate those seeking to deliver humanitarian aid, are a clear violation of international law. I can say, without any hesitation, that I have witnessed a crime against humanity.   In the context of the extreme Saudi threats, after lengthy negotiations which have been taking place around the clock in Tehran, it has been determined that the Red Crescent Society cannot complete this mission. The 2,500 tons of medical supplies, food, and water are being unloaded, and handed over to the World Food Program, who has agreed to distribute them on our behalf by June 5th. ……….   The people of Yemen, like the forces of resistance in so many other parts of the world, have refused to surrender. As they face a horrendous onslaught with US made Saudi bombs, I hope that news of our peaceful, humanitarian mission has reached them. I hope they are aware that in their struggle against the Saudi King, the Wall Street bankers, and all the great forces of evil, they are not alone. There are millions of people across the planet who are on their side.   Imperialism is doomed, and all humanity shall soon be free! Remove U.S. Drone Relay Stations from German Soil At the UNAC Convention, May 8-10, American German activist Elsa Rassbach spoke powerfully about the need to stand in solidarity with German activists who are protesting the use of the U.S. Base in Ramstein, Germany to host a satellite relay necessary to the military drone program.   All targeted killings and surveillance by US drones in Africa, the Middle East and Southwest Asia require the use of this relay, which sends data received overland from domestic U.S. bases to a satellite which  then forwards the signals to individual drones. This is a gross violation of the sovereignty of Germany, just as the drone surveillance and strikes themselves are violations of the sovereignty of Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and the other countries where they are used, and targeted killings are a violation of the most basic human rights of the victims, all of whom are technically civilian.  UNAC supports the campaign to remove the relay from German soil, and stands in solidarity with the people of Germany.  On Wednesday, May 27, Faisal bin Ali Jaber will have his first hearing in a lawsuit against the German government's complicity in the deaths of his brother-in-law and nephew by a drone strike in Yemen.   Jaber's brother-in-law was a cleric and a peacemaker.  He was arranging a meeting to show the local Al Qaeda converts the error of their understanding when he ws killed.   Drone strikes prohibit local solutions to local problems.    The relay in Germany was installed in secrecy under the cover of the U.S. - German Status of Forces agreement.    Now that it's existence is known, the German government must respond appropriately in light of German, EU and International Law.   We support Faisal bin Ali Jaber's right to justice, and the rights of all the victims to a just hearing, and the right of the German people not to be made complicit in U.S. war crimes  Please click here to donate to UNAC

 

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