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ACTIVISTS BLOCK HOLLAND TUNNEL, FORM HUMAN CHAIN DURING A.M. RUSH HOUR

NEW YORK  At 815 this morning, a group of about 10 activists calling itself Citizens Against War formed a human chain near Varick and Broome Streets, which blocked traffic entering the Holland Tunnel.  The message on a large banner “Bombing Iraq Will Not Make Us Safer!”

“We’re in a state of emergency.  We hate to inconvenience our fellow New Yorkers, and we respect their need to go about daily life.  But how can there be business as usual when our government is about to start World War III?” said Rae Valentine, one of the activists who participated in the lockdown.

The U.S. government states that the invasion of Iraq will be a “surgical” operation to remove a heavily armed tyrant, with great care taken not to harm civilians.  Yet economic sanctions and the U.S.’s illegally imposed no-fly zones have lead to over 500,000 Iraqi deaths in the last decade, according to UNICEF.  The United Nations estimates that, in a U.S./UK invasion,

     *500,000 Iraqi soldiers and civilians will die;
     *3 million people  11 % of the population  will face famine; and
     *460,000 people will become refugees

U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill for this destruction, as the poor, sick and hungry in this country continue to suffer.  American service-people will give their lives as big oil and big manufacturing companies profit off of an attack and ensuing occupation.  Residents of the Middle East will endure the destabilization of their region.  New York City will be in danger of more attacks.

“Most of us were here when the World Trade Center was destroyed by terrorists.  We’re keenly aware of how devastating war can be.  The CIA has stated that a war on Iraq will make the U.S. highly vulnerable to more terrorist attacks.  How can the Bush Administration risk another September 11?” asked Valentine.

While Citizens Against War has no connection to UFPJ, it urges people to attend the rally and march organized by United for Peace and Justice for this coming Saturday, 15 February.  More information can be found at www.unitedforpeace.org.