Freedom Socialist • Vol. 28, No. 6 • December 2007-January 2008Olympians block military transportIn November, in an inspiring display of grassroots determination to stop the Iraq war, protesters in Olympia, Wash., thwarted the U.S. military from moving military equipment through their town, at least for now. On Nov. 9, a large crowd of determined activists, many of them students from nearby colleges, sat down and blocked streets in Olympia's downtown, to prevent trucks with military goods from rolling from the port to nearby Fort Lewis, where the Third Stryker Brigade is stationed. Police were unprepared for the successful blockade. On Nov. 11, police used batons and pepper spray to clear protesters, but activists were not deterred. They are organizing meetings to plan more protests against militarization of the port - and police brutality. The day after police attacked, a packed town meeting discussed the crackdown. The protests have also received support from some soldiers. This is the second face-off for the port militarization resistance movement in just over a year. In 2006, resisters had the military on the run in Olympia, Tacoma, and Aberdeen. They also inspired campaigns in Oakland. To get updated info, go to www.omjp.org or email olypmr@riseup.net. Whose ports? Our ports! |
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