Mission
The purpose of this website is to provide a simple and usable source of information about anti-war events and active groups throughout Louisiana that are focused on opposing the war on Iraq.
The calendar of events on this page highlights special events happening throughout the state. It also includes weekly and ongoing events and other peace-related events. If you would like more info, including reasons to oppose this war and links to other sites with detailed information, click here.
Recent Updates
CAWI's anti-war Baton Rouge Free Press newspaper: download 8 page PDF
News and activist calendar of events from the website where every reader is a reporter: New Orleans Indymedia
General local anti-war flyer: Reasons to oppose the war and occupation
Recent Events
May 1: Anti-War Protest at Port of New Orleans
From New Orleans Indymedia: A small but determined group of activists demonstrated at the Felicity St. entrance to the Port of New Orleans Thursday, May 1 protesting Stevedoring Services of America's (SSA) receiving the contract to unload ships in Iraq's only port, Umm Qasr, as well as its practices in the US.
read entire report
April 19: Teach-In Against the War Held in New Orleans
From New Orleans Indymedia: Over 50 people came to Zeitgeist/Barrister's Gallery to hear from over 20 panelists who discussed a number of issues relating to the war and the resistance movement.
read entire report
April 15: Louisiana Women in Black Tax Day Silent Vigil
From New Orleans Indymedia: Across from the main post office in New Orleans about 30 women dressed entirely in black stood in silent vigil on the neutral ground with a banner that said "Women Against War".
read entire report
April 11: Support the Troops with Truths
From New Orleans Indymedia: Two peace activists passed out ribbons wrapped around a flyer with anti-war truths, right next to volunteers for Clear Channel's "support the troops" yellow ribbon giveaway.
read entire report
April 10: Protestors Meet Dick Cheney's Visit to New Orleans
 From New Orleans Indymedia: Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to New Orleans for the American Society of Newspaper Editor's conference was met by two dozen protestors armed with signs, banners and motor oil.
read entire report | protest photos
March 29: Statewide Anti-War Rally in Baton Rouge
photos by Walt Staton | Despite rainy weather and harassment organized by radio station KOOJ, protesters converged in Baton Rouge for a march and anti-war concert.
march report & photos
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| view more past events |
How do I get involved?
1. Join efforts with one of the groups in Louisiana.
2. Make it to any of the events listed on the calendar.
3. Contact elected officials (mail, phone, email, etc.)
4. Get the word out: print and distribute one of the flyers below or make your own.
Flyers
• general anti-war info
• general info and Baton Rouge meeting info
Why oppose the war against Iraq?
1. The war on Iraq is illegal under international law. The United State's preemptive attack was not in self-defense and so violates the UN Charter. This is a war of aggression, as defined in the Nazi war crimes trials at Nuremberg. Even the CIA has confirmed that there is "no evidence that Iraq has engaged in terrorist operations against the US in nearly a decade...Saddam Hussein has not provided chemical or biological weapons to Al-Qaida or related terrorist groups." [NYT, 2-2-02]
2. The war will not make us safer. Even the CIA has said that there is no imminent threat of attack from Iraq, but that if it were attacked it could retaliate. The war on Afghanistan did not decrease the threat of Al Queda, it merely dispersed it. An illegal invasion, slaughter of civilians, and occupation could easily provoke attacks on American interests.
3. The war will possibly cause famine, and would certainly devastate infrastructure and cause massive suffering. There are 24 million Iraqis living in Iraq who have in no way wronged any of us.
4. We have already been responsible for 1,500,000 Iraqi deaths from sanctions and devastation to infrastructure, our attacks will cause many more.
5. The attack is NOT humane and is not motivated by concern for human rights: Bush Sr. armed, funded and financed Hussein. Rumsfeld was in Iraq after it was discovered that Hussein gassed the Kurds and did not condemn the action, but continued to support Hussein. We continue to fund and support terror in Colombia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. This should make it clear that, our leaders only use the rhetoric of human rights when it is convenient for them to, to serve other interests. Yes, Hussein is responsible for very, very cruel actions. His cruelty does not somehow transform sanctions or bombing, invading, and occupying Iraq into humanitarian acts. (Note: The Revolutionary Women of Afghanistan opposed the Taliban long before 2001 and wanted it overthrown, but they ALSO opposed US military strikes on Afghanistan.)
6. The war could easily destabilize the Middle East.
7. The war sets a very dangerous precedent for "preemptive attacks," undermining international cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution.
8. The US military's use of depleted uranium is linked to severe health problems which could devastate the lives of US military personnel, their offspring, and Iraqi civilians.
9. The war will waste resources needed for health, education, and other services. An estimated $100-200 billion would be spent on war (Bush has requested $74.7 billion for just 6 months of occupation in Iraq). $100 billion could insure all kids for 5 years. While people are without homes, free university education, health care, heating, and other necessities, 50% of taxes are already being spent on the military.
10. Many, many children will be killed.
11. It is our responsibility to stop it: this is being done with our money and in our names.
Click here to learn more about these issues
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Calendar of Events
Ongoing Events
Every Sun. - Baton Rouge
Vigils for peace continue each Sunday night at 6pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Baton Rouge on Goodwood Blvd. The vigils are held at the Peace Stones, which are in the field next to the church. In case of inclement weather, the vigils are held in the sanctuary.
Ongoing - New Orleans
Thanks to an outpouring of support, N.O. Not in Our Name placed one page ads with the Statement of Conscience in The Gambit, The Louisiana Weekly, OffBeat (Jazz Fest edition), and the Times-Picyanue that voiced the concerns of New Orleans citizens about the war with Iraq. N.O. NION needs help paying off the money owed to OffBeat and can still use your support. To help, join N.O. NION by downloading the N.O. NOIN sign-up form and sending it to the address on the form. If you have any further questions about this initiative, please contact N.O. NION at nonotinourname@hotmail.com or call Margo Baum at (504) 314-0108. To learn more about Not In Our Name National, you can visit www.nion.us.
Other Peace Events
Ongoing - New Orleans
There are often peace-related documentaries and presentations at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center at 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. For their calendar of events, see www.zeitgeistinc.org.
Ongoing - New Orleans
The "Liberation Radio" talk show on WTUL 91.5FM every Tuesday from 4:00-4:30pm sometimes includes anti-war coverage.
Other Event Calendars
New Orleans: Indymedia Center
Baton Rouge: CAWI
Share your news from the street: post it on New Orleans Indymedia
Planning some civil disobedience?
Check out these Civil Disobedience Tips and expanded legal briefing.
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