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"Mission Accomplished?"
Iraq, Afghanistan, Al Qaeda Still Issues in 2021
Friday, April 30, 2021 5:00 PM
Weekly Friday Rally for Peace and Justice
Pioneer Courthouse Square,
SW Yamhill and Broadway
The US now says the withdrawal from Afghanistan will be done by September 11 (the 20th anniversary), still has troops in Iraq, and continues to face affiliates, offshoots or copycats of the Al Qaeda network that Bin Laden headed up. President Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "killer" without acknowledging his own role in the assassination of Bin Laden, proximity to targeted drone strikes, and ongoing warfare including at least two strikes in Iraq and one in Syria this year.
It's possible that the Presidents are all focused on May 1 because in most countries other than the United States, that day is celebrated as International Workers' Day. Portland has seen years of lively May Day protests lifting up both working people and immigrants, though frequently those events have been attacked by Portland Police. May Day is also a day celebrated to mark the spring season. Instead, Americans are reminded regularly on this date that "might makes right" and that the way to resolve problems is at the end of a gun, bomb or missile.
The Friday Rally for Peace and Justice was established by Portland Peaceful Response Coalition in November, 2001, shortly after the US invasion of Afghanistan, and has occurred every week for over 1010 weeks. In March, 2020 following the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, Peace and Justice Works took over sponsorship of the weekly event.
For more information, contact Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group at 503-236-3065 or iraq@pjw.info.