In March and April, the International Students for Social Equality in the US is holding a series of meetings to mark the fifth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq.
The invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003, began one of the bloodiest crimes of the modern era. Five years later, the war drags on, following the deaths of over one million Iraqis and over 4,000 US and other occupying forces. The US military recently announced plans to keep at least 140,000 troops in Iraq indefinitely. In the 2008 elections, the Democratic Party candidates are posturing as opponents of the war, when in reality both Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are committed to the indefinite occupation of Iraq.
The war in Iraq is part of an explosion of American militarism that has its roots in the long-term economic decline of US capitalism. The American ruling class, whose interests are represented by both parties of big business, is determined to counteract this decline through the use of military force. The economic crisis of American capitalism has become manifest in the credit crisis originating in the housing market. The United States is now headed for recession, and there is a real possibility of financial meltdown and global depression.
In the midst of unending war and economic crisis, there is no expression within the political establishment of the interests of the vast majority of the American people.
The meeting details are:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
March 25, 6 p.m.
Michigan Room of the Michigan League
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Wayne State University
March 31, 4 p.m.
Room 29 Basement, Student Center Building
Detroit, Michigan
Florida State University
April 9, 12:30 p.m.
Room 102, BK Roberts Hall, College of Law
Tallahassee, Florida
Virginia Commonwealth University
April 10, 12:30 p.m.
Virginia Room D, VCU Student Commons
907 Floyd Avenue
Richmond, Virginia
San Diego State University
April 10, 7 p.m.
Room 100, Nasatir Hall
San Diego, California
New York City
April 12
McBurney YMCA
125 West 14th Street (Between 6th and 7th Ave)
Manhattan, New York
University of California, Los Angeles
April 15, 6:30 p.m.
Place TBA
Los Angeles, California
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
April 16, 7 p.m.
Gregory Hall, Room TBA
Champaign, Illinois