JNV's Principles and Priority Concerns

COUNTER TERROR
2005
BUILD JUSTICE

A International Month Of Peace Action 19 March-15 April 2005

'Counter Terror: Build Justice' - Why

The Context
As the crisis in Iraq deepens, and we deal with the outcome of the US presidential elections, it is crucial that the re-elected President Bush is met with a vigorous challenge from the US and British peace movements over both the occupation of Iraq, and the wider 'war on terrorism'.

In Britain, the anti-war movement is facing a general election expected to take place in May 2005. The Blair Government will try to sweep the issue of the war, and the ongoing occupation of Iraq, under the carpet. The anti-war movement has a special responsibility to challenge the Government, and make the war a real election issue, taking the debate to every pro-war candidate.

It is also the case that on both sides of the Atlantic, and throughout the world, activists in various movements are seeking to a common agenda. 'Counter Terror: Build Justice 2005' creates an opportunity for anti-racist, anti-war, disarmament, human rights, international solidarity, trade justice, and world development groups to come together and cooperate in creating a more peaceful and just world.

The Purpose
What is intended is that in the spring of 2005 – after the US presidential elections, but before the British general election - the US, British, Canadian and other anti-war movements serve notice on the new/re-elected administration in Washington, and its servants in London, that we will not permit another war of the kind inflicted on Iraq.

What is intended is a mobilization of our forces to demonstrate our strength and to build the skills, plans and networks that will be needed to prevent any future major war.

Their Plans, Our Plans

Being Pro-active
This is a pro-active proposal.

'Counter Terror: Build Justice 2005' is about refusing to wait for the next move from the warmongers, and instead setting our own timetable, and making our own plans, to help create an irresistible social force that is powerful enough to prevent war.

Whatever happens in the US presidential election, and whoever is leading the polls in the British general election, the anti-war movement can show that it is strong and determined, and prepared for peace.

They Plan A Counter-Terror Exercise
Britain, Canada and the US are going to stage a major counter-terrorism exercise later in 2005, which has been a year in the planning already. The exercise is said to involve different scenarios, including a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear) attack. (In a radiological attack, there is no nuclear explosion: radioactive material is simply scattered to poison and to contaminate.) Thousands of troops and law enforcement officers will be deployed on both sides of the Atlantic.

We Plan A Counter-Terror Exercise
JNV and Voices in the Wilderness do not object to emergency services practicing for extreme situations. We believe, however, that the most important and urgent response we should be making to the threat of terrorism is to direct the foreign policy of our governments away from war, threats, and support for unjust regimes. Popular protest is desperately needed to prevent our governments from carrying out illegal military attacks in the future. We must be able to counter the terrorism of the United States and Britain.

We can prepare for different terrorist scenarios. We must be able to stop our governments from launching full-scale invasions (such as the US-UK invasion of Iraq, begun on 19 March 2003, which has killed over 10,000 civilians); air strikes (of the kind that killed 39 people in Libya on 15 April 1986); cruise missile attacks (such as the one that destroyed Sudan's only pharmaceutical factory in 1998, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people); or nuclear weapons (which killed two hundred thousand people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945). The dates of the month of action (19 March to 15 April) have been chosen to mark the anniversaries of the attacks on Iraq and Libya.

Each At Our Own Level
Different groups can choose the areas of concern and the forms of protest which are most appropriate for them - in their locality, in their circumstances. Some may choose nonviolent direct action, others lobbying. Some may hold teach-ins, others may hold demonstrations.

Please continue by reading the full Counter Terror, Build Justice statement.

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This page last updated 12 November 2004

Counter Terror: Build Justice