Iraq civil resistance responds to Cindy Sheehan

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/23434

Iraq civil resistance responds to Cindy Sheehan
Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2007-06-08 13:24. Cindy Sheehan

From the Iraq Freedom Congress (IFC):

Cindy: Do not say good-bye
The U.S. needs you, not the criminals and thieves

Dear Sister Cindy Sheehan, Greetings...

I have read your article ("Good-bye America... you are not the country that I love anymore"), in which you declared resignation and your plan to stay away from the arena of struggle against war and the occupation of Iraq.

We met twice, the first time in Washington during the "Eyes Wide Open" event in May 2006 and the second time in December 2007 at the US Labor Against the War (USLAW) rally. On both occasions, we supported and emboldened each other, and pledged each other to continue the struggle for humanity in the United States of America and Iraq, in order not to repeat the tragedy of yours and thousands of other mothers in the U.S. and Iraq. Retreating at this particular time means that the U.S. Administration and the blood-sucking corporations are victorious in this battle. The U.S. Administration today is suffering under the blows of the anti-war movement in your country where you are one of its leaders, figures and symbols. How can you proclaim today the withdrawal from this battle in which our victory will benefit mankind not only in the United States of America, but in Iraq and all over the world?

Dear Cindy...think about us in Iraq. What can we say about ourselves? The occupation forces are committing hundreds of crimes every day. They arrest, torture, indiscriminately kill, destroy, burn houses, rape and unleash gangs and thieves as long as they are not in their way. Think about us when we witness dozens of young people as young as your son Casey’s age being abducted. What can we say when they steal the smile and joy from the eyes of our children and displace millions of our families? What can we say when they try to take our hope away from us every day? Despite all those calamities and difficulties created by these forces, we have decided to continue our struggle to end the occupation. As I pointed out in my speech when we were together in the mentioned conference, we have no choice; either ascend to the highest hills and watch how the fire expands and ravages large areas or carry on the struggle to save humanity in Iraq and the United States.

Dear Cindy Sheehan...our front is one, our enemy is one and we have a common destiny. Do not let the criminals and thieves put you down. Let's hold hand to hand, shoulder to shoulder and continue our struggle. The USA needs you. America does not change spontaneously, as noted in your article. America changes only with the efforts of civilized people in the United States and strengthening the anti-war movement.

Bush, Dick Cheney and Rice remain in power and that means more mass killing and barbarous acts.

Let us work together to bring them down and bring back the U.S. you always liked.

Samir Adil

President of the Iraq Freedom Congress

[greyl]

1. More from Samir Adil:

Why Do We Believe In Civil Resistance To End The Occupation And Build A Free And Democratic Society In Iraq?

Iraq Freedom Congress has chosen the civil resistance and mass mobilization route to build a free, civil, and democratic society and form a secular non-ethic government that recognizes its people on the basis of their human identity in Iraq. This route involves general strikes, civil protests, demonstrations and all possible means available except violence to end the occupation.

We took this path not because we do not know how to use a weapon, or afraid of the US troops or even follow what Jesus said “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other one also”. We have not chosen the armed resistance although we recognize it as one of the means of struggle; however we consider it inappropriate tactic at the present time and we expressed our position and views in our statements and interviews. We preferred civil resistance because it is more effective with the least possible damage.

The Islamists and nationalist groups have been pursuing their agenda through violence causing a death of 2400 US soldiers and more than 150 thousand Iraqis since April 9, 2003. This means sacrificing 62 Iraqis for the carnage of every US soldiers. Therefore, with basic calculation we end up wiping out the entire Iraqi population for the 168 thousand US troops currently in Iraq!!!

Furthermore, the Iraqi people have extremely suffered from wars especially the last three years in which the armed groups and under the pretext of fighting the occupation have committed every vicious act to push their agenda. They attacked the energy sources, water and sewage systems, and turned the people’s neighborhoods and workplaces into battlefields. It is obvious that these acts are the actual reason for the resistance not to exceed more than four provinces despite the huge resentment among the people.
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[babylonsister]

2. The Iraq Freedom Congress should be the true leaders there. Thanks

for the article!