Hundreds Join San Francisco Protest against Iraq Occupation

Published on March 28, 2009

VFA abrogation

Filipino groups were joined by other nationalities in asserting the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

They asserted that the VFA is a one-sided agreement which allows U.S. troops to enter Philippine soil which clearly violates the sovereignty of the Philippines. Several fact-finding investigations have confirmed that U.S. troops stationed in the Philippines have participated in actual anti-insurgency combat operations in the country. Unknown to many Americans, their troops have been clandestinely participating in an illegal war in its former colonial territory. The campaign to junk the VFA became more intense when a U.S. soldier was convicted by a Philippine court of raping a young Filipina. U.S. authorities have refused to surrender its custody over the soldier.

During the rally, members of LFS and BAYAN USA demanded the immediate repeal of the unequal treaty. The contingent circulated a petition to terminate VFA, which was launched by BAYAN USA last week. They also asked Congress to stop giving military aid to the Philippines. The Philippine military has been accused of being involved in the extrajudicial killings of activists and other government critics.

Police violence

The protest march was peaceful. But during the end of the march, some Zionist counter-protestors instigated conflict with members of the Arab community. The police intervened and used excessive violence to arrest some members of the Arab Resource and Organizing Committee. The activists were charged with obstructing arrest and felony lynching. The arrested activists are now asked to post bail of $53,000 each in order to be released. This is clearly a case of harassment against groups which espouse a radical brand of politics. BAYAN USA and ILPS will be mobilizing its members to campaign for the upholding of human rights and freedom of the detained protesters.

Continuing protests

The anti-war march has again proven that the continuing U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan is vigorously opposed by many individuals and groups in the U.S. The protest became a venue to denounce the unjust foreign policies of the government. Anti-war demands became more relevant when they were linked to the deteriorating economic conditions in the country. The event united various local groups which were given the opportunity to present their particular demands. There will be more protests in the coming days and weeks. Obama will face the people’s wrath if he continues to implement the imperialist policies of his predecessor. The anti-imperialist movement of the working people will continue to grow as it fights injustice and poverty in the world. (Bulatlat.com)

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