People’s Movements against Imperialist War on Iraq in 2003

                                                                                                                                                S R Bandaaru

IN spite of over two decades of imperialist globalisation process, the oil resources in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, which has second largest oil reserve in the world, were not passing into the hands of American oil companies. At the same time, a pliant regime change was not taking place to serve the American empire’s “free world.” In pursuit of its quest for capture of world oil reserves, therefore, American imperialism resorted to barbaric occupation of Iraq in March 2003 and in the process demolished all its pretensions of “democracy.” The Bush and Blair governments invented the “axis of evil,” planted stories about the weapons of mass destruction, disseminated lies through their media that Saddam Hussein could attack US and UK within 45 minutes, and withheld 8,000 pages of Iraqi weapons declaration to the UN, from other members of the security council.  

The fact that the US regime spends more than 400 billion dollars a year for its wars on the world and it is more than the combined defence expenditure of all countries put together, makes the claims of Bush and Blair that they face threats from others look ludicrous.  

As the preparations for war by US-UK axis were continuing on war footing, the democratic movement all over the world protested vociferously against the Bush and Blair governments and their few allies throughout the year 2003.  Unprecedented anti-war rallies, demonstrations and protests took place. Placards displayed during the protests declared Bush and Blair as the “REAL TERRORISTS.” 

JANUARY

Millions of people --- from Tokyo to London to San Francisco --- participated in protest rallies and marches all over the world in January 2003. The organisers included those from ANSWER --- Act Now to Stop War & End Racism. On January 12 and 14, demonstrations were held in at least 38 countries against the war on Iraq. The countries included Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium.  

In Washington, in conditions of freezing cold, over 5,00,000 Americans protested against the Bush administration’s “War on the World.” This was considered to be the biggest anti-war demonstration since the Vietnam war. In Los Angeles, 30,000 protestors came on to the streets on January 11. In one of the largest protests in San Francisco’s history, 2,00,000 people filled the streets on January 18. People came from far off places like Texas, Florida, Alabama, Colorado, Vermont and Chicago. On January 18 and 19, American people in 87 cities protested against the imperialist war on Iraq. The placards read: “No Blood for Oil,” “Regime Change Starts at Home,” etc. The campaigners urged the people to use civil disobedience against the Bush regime.  

Thousands gathered in Tokyo depicting the US president as a warlord, with Koizumi and Blair as his retainers. In Ireland, thousands of people demonstrated against a government decision to allow US aircraft to use Shanon airport en route to the Gulf. 

As the protests against the imperialist war were raging, even the pro-government Los Angeles Times said 70 per cent people were unconvinced of President Bush’s policies. The CNN’s poll showed that 79 per cent respondents felt they were unable to influence events. Polls also showed between 70 and 85 per cent people in Asia, Europe and Latin America opposing the war against Iraq. Only 10 per cent British said they would support military action without UN backing. 

In the Middle East, thousands of protestors chanted "Sign your name on a suicide attack on US interests." Tens of thousands in Syria blocked traffic on the streets of Damascus as they marched against US plan to attack a fellow Arab state, Iraq. In Cairo, thousands of demonstrators called on the Egyptian government to prevent US and British warships from using the Suez Canal en route to attacking Iraq. In Pakistan, thousands of people including school children formed a human chain to condemn the war on Iraq.  

In January, hundreds of peace activists in Britain left for Iraq to form part of a “human shield” against attack. As the activists passed through Europe, they picked up more volunteers along the route.

FEBRUARY

Over 60 communist and workers parties from across the world, including the CPUSA, joined in signing an appeal against the aggressive war on Iraq.  

February 14, 15 and 16 saw biggest anti-war rallies across the globe. The demonstrations, which began on the 14th in Melbourne, rolled across Asia, Europe and the US on the 15th, and continued on the 16th with another protest in Sydney, where upto 5,00,000 people marched.  

On February 15, at least 4,00,000 people participated in the anti-war rally in New York near the UN office, in spite of ban orders from the court and severe cold. Eyewitnesses said lakhs of people were delayed or trapped by numerous obstacles set up by the police. Public transportation was partially suspended by the New York administration. The bus services were shut down. Many people were turned away by the police in order to suppress the “freedom of expression” by the American people. 

In Europe, many capitals saw lakhs of people marching on the same day to register opposition to war on Iraq. In London too, in spite of a politically motivated ban, an estimated 10,00,000 people demonstrated against the war.  The police itself estimated the protestors to be 3,00,000. Over one lakh peace campaigners laid siege to the Labour Party conference in Glasgow. Rob Griffiths, general secretary of the Communist Party of Britain, said since the end of the World War II, the US has been the biggest terrorist rogue state on the planet, bombing or invading at least 15 countries.

Spaniards demonstrated against the war at more than 50 places across the country. In Madrid alone the demonstrators were estimated to be around 20,00,000 while the Spanish government (a staunch supporter of war) conceded that at least 6,50,000 people protested. In Italy, so many people turned up that the march started three hours early to make room for the number of people pouring into Rome by buses from across the land. Organisers said at least 30,00,000 had joined the protest. In Berlin, the police said the number of protestors was around 2,00,000, twice as many as forecast. Organisers put the figure at 3,50,000. In Paris, an estimated 2,50,000 demonstrators marched through the streets, while the French government also opposed the war. In Amsterdam, Dutch demonstrators carried signs that read "How Many Lives per Galon?" Police estimated that 60,000 turned out in Oslo (Norway), 50,000 in bitter cold in Brussels, while about 35,000 gathered peacefully in frigid Stockholm.  Copenhagen, Athens, Sofia and Vienna also witnessed huge demonstrations by thousands of people. In Dublin, protestors said they have been inspired to protest by the likely consequences of war: "If they bomb Iraq this time, terrorism is going to go on for 1,000 years." In Istanbul (Turkey), thousands of demonstrators called on their leaders to stay out of the conflict and denounced the military preparations. "We are here to protest the sorrow inflicted on the world's nations by the USA," said the protestors. Across Europe, many said they believed that their marching had a real chance of shaping history.  

In Baghdad, several thousand people staged a demonstration. Protests were also reported from South Korea, South Africa, Bangladesh, Philippines, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Moscow and Tokyo.  

In Israel, more than 3,000 citizens --- both Jewish and Arabs --- gathered in Tel Aviv chanting "Bush, Blair and Sharon are the true axis of evil" and "Israelis and Palestinians oppose the war." They called upon the British and US soldiers to refuse to serve for an aggressive war. An Israeli Communist Party member of the Knesset (parliament) said, "It is not good for anyone that the US controls the entire region. Its attempt at a new regional order will only cause instability and violence."

The protests and demonstrations by people were more intense in countries where the governments were siding with US-UK imperialist designs. 

MARCH

Before the war started, 64 per cent of Americans wanted to wait for UN approval before taking military action against Iraq, according to a CBS news poll. The New York Times/CBS poll said 52 per cent respondents wanted more time to be given to the search for evidence.  

The US labour movement criticised George Bush's approach to Iraq. In a resolution the AFL-CIO labour leaders stated, “The president has not fulfilled his responsibility to make a compelling and coherent explanation to the American people and the world as to the need for military action against Iraq at this time.”   

By the end of February, over 200 unions and 550 union leaders from 53 countries, representing 130 million workers, had signed the International Labour Declaration, circulated by US Labour Against War (USLAW).   

The Communist Party of USA forcefully opposed the warmongering. The Communist Party of Britain warned that "many British soldiers are deeply unhappy” about participating in the war. More than 1,00,000 people protested against imperialist war in Indonesia on March 9. As the war was to start, protests against US and British warmongers were held on March 15, by millions of people in more than 1000 cities in at least 27 countries across the world. Similar protests were held in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities in US on the day. New Zealand, Thailand, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Japan, Egypt, Mexico, Cyprus, Spain, Canada etc witnessed unprecedented demonstrations against war and for peace. Lakhs of people that included various unions, religious groups, school and college students from more than 100 cities all over US surrounded the White House on March 15. In Britain the protestors gave a call for civil disobedience and direct action, at the first Peoples' Assembly for Peace in Westminster.  

Immediately after start of Anglo-American War on Iraq on March 20 morning, millions of protestors took to the streets across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and in numerous cities of the US. On the day of attack, the people in Britain observed a "day of shame." Workers left their offices and joined civil servants, school kids and students to bring Westminster to a standstill, as sit-in protests blocked the roads around parliament and Downing Street. The protestors included civil services unions, public sector unions, London School of Economics and Imperial College student unions and numerous independent groups. On March 23, over 5,00,000 people marched past parliament and Downing Street in London, chanting "No War" and "Blair Out," in the biggest anti-war demonstration ever organised in Britain.   

Similar angry demonstrations were held in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Yemen, Japan, Australia and other countries. 

On March 30, more than 1,00,000 people in Indonesia filled the streets of Jakarta and shorted "America, America: Terrorist, Terrorist," as they brought traffic to a halt. Similar protests were held in Bangladesh, South Korea and China. 

BRUTAL SUPPRESSION

After the war started, huge protests took place all over the world, which the imperialist media and their local agents either totally blacked out or censored to a large extent. Within the US, spontaneous protests took place at San Francisco, Washington, Philadelphia, New York and dozens of cities and towns across the country. As students abstained from classes, hundreds of protestors were arrested in order to suppress protests. In London, over 100 protestors were charged by the police with staging a sit-in. In Egypt, the government detained hundreds of people in a brutal crackdown on anti-war protestors and beat them up severely. In Sydney, students in school uniforms clashed with police officers in riot gear while the demonstrators in South Korea scuffled with police. 

APRIL

As the war on Iraq continued, the people of Iraq bravely started protesting against the Anglo-American aggression. In many instances of firing on protesting civilians by American forces, many Iraqis were killed and their properties destroyed. In one instance in Mosul on April 16, US marines killed 10 Iraqi men and wounded at least 16 others as thousands of protestors came on to the streets. In Baghdad tens of thousands of people protested in the streets on April 18, and carried flags and banners saying "No to Occupation." In another instance on April 29, American soldiers opened fire on Iraqi protestors killing at least 13 people and wounding another 75. The protests by lakhs of Iraqis continued, demanding immediate withdrawal of US-UK forces from their country.

For the first time perhaps, imperialist media and their embedded journalists got thoroughly exposed on a larger scale, for their biased reporting. 

MAY

In order to suppress the protests by the people of Iraq, US soldiers started door to door searches and threatened people, as a result of which riots broke out. Angry residents surged into the streets, burning police cars and throwing stones and handmade grenades at US troops. The people openly told the US troops to leave or face suicide attacks.

Simultaneously in Afghanistan, hundreds of people chanted “Death to Americans,” and pelted stones at the US embassy in Kabul, in protest against the killing of four Afghan soldiers by US troops in the last week of May.

JUNE

In June 2003, the British occupation forces faced huge demonstration by residents of Basra as Bush’s “uncivilised administration” tried forcibly to instal a handpicked local governing council. People poured into Basra streets in thousands. One banner read “We can manage ourselves, by ourselves.” The protestors denounced the new set-up as anti-democratic.

Arab TV channels and newspapers in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Syria described US military strikes as "terrible massacres." Editorials warned that Americans are only worsening the tension in this part of the world. 

JULY

Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay, were killed by American forces on July 23, in a most brutal manner unparalleled in modern history. 

On July 20, more than 10,000 demonstrators marched to the city hall in Baghdad and threw stones at more than two dozen US marines. The people (and even the elite supporting the US) blamed the US-UK troops for lack of security, electricity and water.

As the house to house searches by the occupation forces to suppress and harass people continued, the resentment against occupation forces increased.  In one such outburst, mobs cornered the British soldiers and then killed several of them in a police station and several more outside. The Arab news channels became overwhelmingly critical of the US and UK forces.

In an incident in northern Iraq, 11 Turkish soldiers were captured by US forces. This fuelled anti-American sentiments in Turkey. On the Syrian border, four villagers were shot by American soldiers.

SUPPRESSION OF DISSENT

As the events progressed, more and more reports of cooked up intelligence reports, cooked up evidence and criminal activities of Anglo-American imperialism started coming out. The BBC reported on May 29 one such case of "sexed up" intelligence from a source within the Blair government. The Blair government tried to intimidate the source, Dr David Kelly, an adviser on biological weapons to the government and a former UN weapons inspector. Dr Kelly himself complained that he had been "thrown to the wolves" by his ministry of defence employers. Later, Dr Kelly was found dead (with his wrist slashed) in woods, five miles from his home on July 18. The pro-government media in US and UK propagated Dr Kelly’s death as suicide and never questioned as to why he should commit suicide five miles away from his home, as he, a chemical scientist, knew better methods of suicide. 

In July, an internet pro-democracy group gathered 400,000 signatures on a petition to US Congress calling for an independent commission to investigate the Bush administration's reasons for going to war in Iraq. The group organised events in 12 cities, launching a grassroots campaign to hold the administration accountable for misleading public opinion.  

COOKED UP EVIDENCE

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) disclosed that Britain's charge of Iraq trying to import uranium from Africa, was all based on forged documents. British prime minister Blair had claimed in 2002 that intelligence showed Iraq had the had banned weapons of mass destruction and was trying to import uranium from Niger to support its nuclear arms programme. Bush included the allegation in his State of the Union address in January 2003, citing the British sources. The White House admitted in the first week of July 2003 that the claim was based on forged documents and should have been left out of the speech.  

AUGUST

As the people in Iraq were suffering without water, fuel and electricity in the soaring temperatures of 50° C, they surged into the streets and protested against the occupation forces. 300,000 people in Baghdad were without water in scorching heat for several days in August 2003. Instead of even attempting to solve the people’s problems, the occupying US-UK forces terrorised the people with frequent firings and physical torture. 

Shiite cleric Ayatollah Muhammad Bakr al-Hakim and 81 others were killed in Baghdad on August 31. Participating in the funeral procession, more than 300,000 Muslims called for revenge.

SEPTEMBER

Anti-war protestors on both coasts of the US took to the streets on September 28 to denounce President Bush and demand withdrawal of troops from Iraq.  Rallies were held in Los Angeles, Boston and San Francisco. Protests were also held on September 27 at London, Athens, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul and Seoul. 

During his tour to Australia, Bush was called a "butcher," "mass murderer," “deceiver” etc. About 1000 protestors in Bangkok called Bush "the world's real terrorist." Hundreds of Iraqis chanted “America is the enemy of God” and fired in the air. 

OCTOBER

The motive of Anglo-American imperialism in its crusade in Middle East --- invading Afghanistan and occupying Iraq --- started unravelling itself in October 2003. Bush refused to make available the highly classified intelligence reports to the federal commission investigating the September 11, 2001 attacks on WTC. The president said the documents were “very sensitive.” Officials for the commission said the documents included copies of the president’s daily briefing --- a summary prepared each morning by the CIA for the Oval Office --- Bush received in the weeks before the September 11 attacks. The White House refused to give the briefing reports to the House and Senate investigators in 2002, citing executive privilege. So, in the American model of democracy (!), only president has all the secrets of the state and even the Congress is not trustworthy!

Similarly, the New York City government refused to hand over police records to the federal commission, but offered to share the material after it was edited.

On October 25, tens of thousands of anti-war protestors, many of them chanting "Impeach Bush," rallied in Washington. 

NOVEMBER

The protests organised by Stop the War Coalition against the visit of President Bush to Britain, brought 400,000 protestors to the streets of London on November 20. They called Bush the “Texan terrorist.” The protestors also carried placards "Calling You Bush Insults the Plant World." 

Grandmothers with canes, parents with children in strollers, high school students, women in business suits, and anti-war demonstrators gathered at the Trafalgar Square. This was the biggest mobilisation of people on any working day in the middle of the week in Britain. Unable to contain the upsurge, the Metropolitan Police in London finally allowed the protest demonstrations.  On the same day, the people of Britain toppled an 18-foot Bush statue in a replication of the stage-managed destruction of Saddam Hussein’s statue in Baghdad. The crowd counted down before the Bush statue was toppled and an almighty roar shook the square. While over 100 people were arrested for expressing dissent, one man was arrested for throwing an egg at Bush’s cavalcade. Protests were also held at Regents Park where the US president was hosting a banquet for the British queen. 

The leaders of the protest stated, “The problem is not just Bush but also the man who invited him (Tony Blair). He is equally guilty as he took us to war in a mesh of lies.” The leaders clarified, “We are against US administration which has turned the country into the worst rogue state in the world.”

Exposing his servility to the American expire, Blair pleaded with Bush to address his government's concerns about nine British citizens captured during the war in Afghanistan, who are detained at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.  

As the counter attacks on occupation forces by the people of Iraq increased, Anglo-American imperialism and the embedded media started underplaying the death toll and injuries to US-UK soldiers. On a conservative estimate, more than 300 US soldiers have so far been killed, more than 1000 injured, and several hundreds of soldiers became sick in the war on Iraqi people which was aimed to serve the transnational corporations of Anglo-American imperialism. 

American imperialism, as its occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq proves, has shed all pretensions of democracy, civilised society and freedom. Their “democracy” means capitalism, “civilised society” means protection of rights of the rich only and “freedom” means the freedom of unfettered loot.