Denver Rally: Cost of War

Around 1:30 this afternoon a crowd of a little over a hundred people shared shivers in the chill of the March drizzle to call attention to the costs of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Several organizations set up tables, as such gatherings so smoothly facilitate the networking of people motivated to act against the imperialist plunders of the U.S. government, publicly utilizing the miniscule amount of space left to the public for just such events. Code Pink gave folks an opportunity to speak about the cost of these wars, the Green Party, offering an alternative to the corporate party (the Democrats and Republicans), registered new voters, and Recreate 68 distributed information mobilizing people to spot spy cameras before the Democratic National Convention, which the police insist they need for security, though spying on civilians has turned up no actual "terrorists" thus far (throughout history), and they distributed information letting folks know how they can get involved, including information about upcoming trainings for Colorado Street Medics. A group forming "a Coalition of members from local Anti-War/Peace and Progressive organizations" took the opportunity to invite folks to keep the opposition to this heinous degradation of humanity we call "war," specifically by attending a light vigil (this means bring a light, lighter or candle) on the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq (March 19) on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on the West Steps of the State Capitol building. Code Pink also utilized the opportunity to mobilize a mass telephone action on the same day as the vigil, March 19, only this action will persist all day long, much to the discomfort of particular secretaries no doubt. The call to action goes as follows: FIVE YEARS TOO MANY! What Can You Do? On Wednesday, March 19, the day that marks five years of occupation in Iraq, call your congress people and tell them to: Stop voting to fund the war in Iraq Fund ONLY the safe and speedy withdrawal of troops Support human needs at home instead, like healthcare, education, housing and renewable energy Tell them there has been too many lives lost and too much money spent! End the occupation now! Let's work together to bombard their offices with calls! Senator Ken Salazar (303) 455-7600 Congressman Mark Udall (303) 455-7600 The American Friends Service Committee also distributed leaflets, not only at the rally (in fact I didn't even see them there, but I saw the leaflets) but all over town. I found stacks at the coffeehouse where I'm writing this right now. The leaflets emphasize the immense monetary cost of the wars, to the tune of $720 Million per day, explaining what other things could have been paid for, such as; Child Healthcare, Scholarships for University Students, Elementary School Teachers, Renewable Energy, Head Start programs, and for that matter HOMES; just a few of the many listed better uses for such an exorbitant amount of money. The turn out at the rally was still a bit small, however, as indicated by the signs, the rally was more informed and focused than past demonstrations, thus implying an increasingly enlightened public unwilling to accept the devastating costs of all kinds related to the reign of the Bush regime.