On April 9, Iraqi citizens plan to commence round the clock sit-ins at U.S. military bases...

[Luminous Animal]

to protest the U.S. occupation.

Grassroots organizations in Iraq are calling for nationwide demonstrations at US. military bases starting on April 9th.

Among those leading this call is Uday al-Zaidi, the brother of journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who gained world-wide acclaim for his symbolic shoe-throwing at President Bush in December of 2008, and later his eloquent statement about why he did what he did. (As vocal organizers of the past month of protests, both Muntazer and Uday al-Zaidi have been harassed, assaulted and detained by the Iraqi authorities.)

Demands include:



- The unconditional departure of the occupying forces

- The revocation of the security agreement which violates the sovereignty and independence of Iraq

- The revocation of the sectarian and ethnic quota system in the political process

- The building of a civil Iraqi state through transparent elections, without the interference of the occupation forces or any foreign, regional force, especially Iran

- The release of the innocent prisoners from occupation and government prisons

- The disclosure of the location of secret prisons that are scattered all over Iraq’s provinces

- Carrying out the demands of our people which were outlined during the “Uprising of Rage” on February 25th

- The formation of an independent judicial committee to investigate the actions of the security forces against peaceful demonstrators "

http://iraqleft.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/occupying-the-bases-april-9th-and-iraqs-day-of-salvation/

[sabrina 1]

1. Good for them, but I am afraid they will be attacked by

the Iraqi Government as they were last week when they went out to demonstrate peacefully and 29 of them were shot to death, many wounded and many others thrown in jail. After that day of protests and the brutal crackdown, a crackdown on 'intellectuals' began.

So much for 'democracy' brought at the point of a gun.

What's interesting is how LITTLE interest there has been in the Iraqi protests, also inspired by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia. I don't think I've seen a single story about them on the MSM.

Those poor people, their country has been wrecked and the invaders are there to stay.

I have a bad feeling that Libya's fate will not be much better.

[Luminous Animal]

10. There is a bit about that on the site, also.

"This past Friday the 18th, was dubbed ‘Friday of the Imprisoned’ by various Iraqi facebook pages, which led to several thousands of protesters marching in Baghdad, Ramadi, Falluja, and other cities. This was amidst extreme state security measures, check points (centered especially around the Green Zone) and the use of sound bombs, tear gas, and sometimes live ammunition to break up the demonstrations. The call for a focus on prisons came partially in response to a prison riot that took place in Tikrit on March 13th. Also though, many of the protest organizers from the past several Fridays (the day demos have been held regularly since February 18th) have been locked up, in addition to the fact that Iraq has had a soaring prison population since 2007. Chants heard during marches were ‘Free Government Prisoners!’ and also included ‘Improve Social Services!’ and even ‘Bring down Maliki’s Government!’ and ‘Leave, Leave Occupier!’ Click here for video (audio in Arabic.)"

http://iraqleft.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/defying-iraqs-police-state/

[sabrina 1]

11. Thank you. This story has not been covered in the MSM.

Even as our president says we cannot 'stand by' when people are being attacked by their government, Iraqi protests, resulting in a brutal crackdown, was not even commented on by this administration as far as I know.

The only comment on the murder of those 29 protesters was made by the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. He mumbled something like 'we believe that people have the right to protest' airc.

[Luminous Animal]

13. I'm going to post on FB right now about this planned action...

It will be interesting to see the level of support on this board offered to the Iraqis, who are facing the wrath of a police force trained by the most militarily powerful nation on earth.

I expect mostly tumbleweeds.

[sabrina 1]

14. I don't think we'll see too much support for them in this country

at all. The right having supported the Iraq War, cannot admit now what a failure for the Iraqi people it is (we liberated them :eyes:) and the left are now mostly silent about it.

I hope we get some news about these demonstrations. It takes a lot of courage for these people to do this under the circumstances.

Thanks for putting it on FB.

[Hannah Bell]

2. kr

[EFerrari]

3. K&R

[Mnemosyne]

4. K&R for more visibility. n/t

[Solly Mack]

5. K&R

[malaise]

6. K & R

Bring the troops home

[democrank]

7. K & R

[crickets]

8. K&R

Iraq wants liberty. Give it to them. Bring the troops home.

[Catherina]

9. One of the most under-reported stories of the year. Rec'd n/t

[Runework]

12. Libya will be different though

right?