Iraqis Plan Nationwide Walkout Sept.24 (Kathlyn Stone)

[Tace]

(This is DU's own Katinmin)

Iraq Freedom Congress and Unions Pledge to Overcome Both Sectarian Violence and U.S. Intervention

Kathlyn Stone -- World News Trust

Sept. 9, 2006 -- Samir Adil, president of the Iraq Freedom Congress, outlined plans for an international day of protest Sept. 24, the forth anniversary of the day that the Bush Administration decided to invade Iraq. The IFC’s aim is to return safety and security to Iraq through a secular resistance movement.

Adil said Friday that workers have agreed to stop production in many factories and to leave their work places for an hour or more on the anniversary. Demonstrations are planned in Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk, Hilla, Diwanya, and other cities, and a large rally may take place in Baghdad. Preparations are underway for a photo exhibition and plays “showing the crimes of the occupation,” said Adil. Leaders of the Southern Oil trade union in Basra, which went on strike Aug. 22-23, have been asked to consider curtailing oil exportation that day. Oil union workers ended their strike when they won their demand for higher pay but other demands remain unsettled.

“The pretext for war proved to be pathetic justification for destroying and burning an entire society, and the resurgence of the most vicious and reactionary ideologies,” said Adil. He believes the international community will condemn the “inhumane policies of the U.S. Administration to impose its views and concepts of a new world order on our globe.”

Anti-war, anti-occupation activists and IFC members in Japan, Korea, Philippines, United States, France, Australia, and Finland are encouraged to build awareness of the IFC at their local rallies. “I believe the global anger will be much stronger this year after what we have witnessed in Iraq -- war, depravation, and destruction. This occupation has turned Iraq into a jungle where thugs are in control of peoples’ lives, and there is a lack of basic civil services. In the end, four years actually are enough to reveal the truth,” said Adil. “There can be no safety and security without ending the occupation.”

Adil acknowledged this summer that the IFC movement carries a great deal of risk for members in Iraq. “There is no hope in Iraq but the Iraq Freedom Congress,” said Adil. “This is what the oil workers’ leaders and other industrial workers, students, women, and intellectuals are saying. Recently, many tribal leaders have come forward to support the IFC stating that it is the only solution for building a democratic society free of hatred and sectarian conflict. Therefore, we accept the challenges of the risky conditions in order to salvage the society. We know that we are putting our lives on the line on a daily basis.”

more

http://www.worldnewstrust.com/content/view/110/lang,en/

[napi21]

1. Well this is very interesting! I didn't even know they had unions in Iraq

I also never heard about the strike on Aug 22 & 23rd!

Was this ever in the US news?

It ssure seems to support the Dem position of getting out of Iraq very soon!!!

[katinmn]

2. Iraq has had unions since the 1920s

I didn't know they had a history of labor unions either until last year when some of their leaders came here at the invitation of US unions. There's some history on the USLAW web site.
http://uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?list=type&type=78

[napi21]

3. Well,this sounds like a really great way to pi** off Shrub!

Now he can not only hate the unions here in the US, but also the ones in Iraq too!

Thanks for the info! I think this is great news!

[Tace]

5. I Hadn't Thought Much About It.

It's good to know.

[nevergiveup]

4. If there is a large rally

in Baghdad, Chimpy will say it is a sign of democracy.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. A large rally will be an obvious target

For various people. I don't have a good feeling about this.

[lonestarnot]

7. Best of luck to the IFC movement, a union of the people!

Yeah Kat! Great job! You make me proud.