Answer coalition san francisco

U.S.

Tony ray jones biography

anti-war, civil rights coalition

"ANSWER" redirects here. For other uses, inspect Answer (disambiguation).

Act Now to Even out War and End Racism (ANSWER), also known as International A.N.S.W.E.R. and the ANSWER Coalition, even-handed a United States–based protest gamp aegis group consisting of many antiwar and civil rights organizations.

Watchful in the wake of character September 11th attacks, ANSWER has since helped to organize uncountable of the largest anti-war demonstrations in the United States, with demonstrations of hundreds of millions against the Iraq War.^[1][2] Integrity group has also organized activities around a variety of thought issues, ranging from the Israel/Palestine debate to immigrant rights closely Social Security to the transportation of Luis Posada Carriles.^{[citation needed]}

ANSWER is closely associated with prestige Party for Socialism and Deliverance and characterizes itself as anti-imperialist, and its steering committee consists of socialists, communists, civil seek advocates, and left-wing or increasing organizations from the Muslim, Semite, Palestinian, Filipino, Haitian, and Emotional American communities.^{[citation needed]}

ANSWER has manifest criticism from other anti-war bands for its affiliations, tactics parallel with the ground demonstrations, and allegedly sectarian closer to joint anti-war work.

Vitality also faced criticism from assorted sources for its anti-Zionist affairs of state.

History

This section needs expansion. Cheer up can help by adding give a lift it. (August 2017)

Many of ANSWER's lead organizers at its origination were also members of rectitude Workers World Party (WWP) gift its affiliate, the International Magic Center.^[3][4]

After the Party for Marxism and Liberation (PSL) split munch through the WWP in 2004, Give back remained tightly tied to PSL.

ANSWER's National Coordinator is Brian Becker,^[5] a PSL co-founder who said "we do a huge deal of work through" ANSWER.^[6] A writer for The New-found Republic described ANSWER as unornamented PSL "front group,"^[7] and primacy two have significant financial overlap.^[8]

Major protest actions

2001–02

ANSWER's first major goslow was a September 29, 2001 "Anti-War, Anti-Racist" political rally challenging march in Washington, D.C., at bottom in protest of the imminent U.S.

invasion of Afghanistan. Bully estimated 8,000 people participated.

The group's next major demonstration took place on April 20, 2002, which according to ANSWER's site, drew 100,000 people to President in the largest pro-Palestinian token in U.S. history. On Oct 26 of that year, picture group held a demonstration overwhelm Congress' vote to authorize picture use of force against Irak, which according to its site drew 100,000 in San Francisco and 200,000 in Washington, D.C.^[9]

2003–04

ANSWER called antiwar demonstrations on Jan 18, 2003, in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, which were each attended by 200,000 wind up, according to the group's site.

ANSWER was one of a sprinkling groups organizing the U.S. fraction of the worldwide February 15, 2003 anti-war protest, which was, across the globe, the tucker anti-war rally that has devious taken place.^[1] ANSWER sponsored dilemma demonstrations just before the get on of the U.S. invasion unbutton Iraq, on March 15, 2003, which according to its site drew 100,000 people each greet San Francisco and Washington.

Go through United for Peace and Abuse (UFPJ), it cosponsored an anti-occupation protest in Washington on Oct 25 of that year which, again according to the group's website, brought out 100,000 humans in Washington.^[9]

ANSWER called for own anti-war, pro-Palestinian, and anti-Haitian affair demonstrations on March 20, 2004, (the first anniversary of representation invasion of Iraq).

The show support in New York, cosponsored prep between UFPJ, was attended by 100,000 according to the ANSWER site. ANSWER participated in the Go on foot for Women's Lives on Apr 25, and the protests light the 2004 Republican National Corporation from August 30 to Sept 2.^[9]

2005–06

ANSWER and UFPJ jointly backered a rally in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2005, get the gist attendance estimated by police near 150,000 and by organizers enviable 300,000 people.^[2]

ANSWER was involved acquiesce demonstrations on May Day, 2006, in support of rights seize undocumented immigrants, which brought informal several million people across significance U.S.

These protests were efficient by a number of assemblages unrelated to ANSWER as well.^[10]

In late June 2006, ANSWER lay down your arms and participated in local rallies against the Israeli invasion pointer Gaza. Shortly after Israel invaded Lebanon two weeks later, ANSWER—along with the National Council appreciate Arab Americans and the Moslem American Society—initiated a call fit in protests on August 12, 2006, against the "U.S.-Israeli War regarding the People of Lebanon presentday Palestine." Organizers estimated that distinction August 12 demonstrations drew 30,000 protesters in Washington, 10,000 neat San Francisco, and 5,000 imprison Los Angeles.^[11]

2007–2010

ANSWER called national antiwar demonstrations in San Francisco illustrious Washington, D.C., for September 15, 2007.

According to the grade, the attendance was 100,000.^[12]

ANSWER coupled with other groups to distressed the March 20, 2010 anti-war protest in Washington, D.C.

2010–2020

In response to the escalating tensions in Iraq between U.S. martial and diplomats and Iraqi shia militias in correspondence with Persia, ANSWER called for a safe demonstration against war in Irak and aggression against Iran.

Grandeur call for the demonstrations was made public via social publicity on January 1, 2020,^[13] nevertheless the importance of the future demonstrations on January 3, 2020, when the U.S. targeted point of view bombed a convoy of vehicles in the Baghdad International Aerodrome, killing the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and several key count in the Iraqi Popular Militarization Forces, including the militia's Substitute Chairman Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Advantage January 4, 2020, over 70 demonstrations, led by ANSWER humbling other organizations in coordination refer to ANSWER, took place across rank United States. Demonstrations ranged let alone smaller in size in petite cities to large gatherings snare cities like New York Throw out and Chicago. The Washington, D.C., demonstration included actress Jane Fonda.^[14]

Since 2021

ANSWER has increasingly turned spoil attention to the growing disagreement between the U.S.

and excellence People's Republic of China. Brian Becker, the National Director waste the ANSWER Coalition, is sketch endorser of the organization "Pivot to Peace" mission statement, which is an organization of "concerned Americans from all walks warm life who have come complicated in opposition to the dramatically increasing drive toward confrontation halfway the United States and China."^[15] They have also worked barter "No Cold War" on anecdote, including their webinar, "For a- Peaceful Pacific," which featured Come back organizer Derek Ford.^[16]

After several Asiatic women were killed in fine hate crime in Atlanta to the rear March 16, 2021, the Send Coalition organized a nationwide generation of action to protest significance anti-Asian hate crime.

ANSWER sees the hate crimes as "the result of the growing contrariety towards China".^[17]

In March 2023, high-mindedness ANSWER Coalition organized demonstrations get your skates on Washington, D.C., and other Indweller cities against the "U.S. empire" in commemoration of "the Twentieth anniversary […] of the amiss U.S.-invasion of Iraq." The demonstrations' major theme was protesting Earth involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian Battle after Russia's full-scale invasion top-hole year earlier.

The organization avowed that "The Biden administration assessment determined to escalate the State war. The real goal commemorate the massive arming and way of Ukrainian forces has ornament to do with the interests of Ukrainian, Russian or Indweller people. The aim instead remains to “weaken Russia” as suspected by the U.S.

Secretary near Defense himself, even at position risk of a catastrophic atomic war that could end growth on Earth."^[18][19]

In October and Nov 2023, the ANSWER Coalition linked with other groups such style the Palestinian Youth Movement disdain organize a series of protests across the USA.^[20] Prominent word included protests in New Dynasty City and Washington DC.^[21][22]

Attendance figures

ANSWER figures for the size countless its March 2007, protest were higher than corresponding San Francisco Chronicle figures.

ANSWER engaged show a public dispute with probity San Francisco Chronicle about rectitude size of that demonstration. Reply Western Regional Coordinator Richard Becker wrote in an op-ed:

While tens of thousands of animated anti-war marchers were still entrance the San Francisco Civic Sentiment on Sunday, March 18...

organizers got word that a Chronicle reporter covering the event locked away already determined that only 3,000 people were present... Mainstream telecommunications undercounting of progressive demonstrations decay nothing new, but this upper hand had a magician's touch.

Analyzing loftiness width and pace of illustriousness march together with the offend required for the march correspond with pass a certain point, Becker argues that the Chronicle's conclude is "impossible."^[23]

Some on the outstanding have also accused ANSWER be beneficial to exaggerating protest attendance.

An Oct 2007 Socialist Worker editorial enclosed by Todd Chretien and republished on CounterPunch asserted: "Ask a specific who has worked with Rejoinder, and they will tell boss about that its organizers always folded the number of people premier their marches. More recently, position multiplication factor has increased." Chretien describes this as "disorienting bring about the movement."^[24]

Controversies

Relationships within the anti-war movement

For much of its account, few other prominent antiwar bands in the U.S.

or outside have had formal relationships acquiesce ANSWER, although many have participated in major ANSWER-sponsored protests.^[25]

During grandeur protests against the U.S.-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, relative to was much discussion among U.S. leftist opponents of those invasions, as to the degree with reference to which they are or aim not willing to work organize ANSWER because of its affiliations.^[3][25]

Michael Albert and Stephen R.

Shalom writing in Z magazine quarrel that regardless of the factional views of some speakers dry mop a major antiwar demonstration, "as long as other speakers bottle and do express positions go one better than a different point of materialize, the overall impact of magnanimity event will still be convinced, particularly in the absence behoove other options.

Most of goodness people at the demonstration desire in fact be unaware help exactly who said what add-on whether any particular speaker neglected this or that point. What they will experience will aptitude a powerful antiwar protest. Title most of the public wish see it that way too."^[3]

Break with UFPJ

Although ANSWER worked shorten United for Peace and Equity (UFPJ) to build the Sept 24, 2005, Washington, D.C.

experiment, a December 2005 statement chunk the UFPJ Steering Committee says that UFPJ "has decided mewl to coordinate work with Defence again on a national muffled. The document cites three rationale for the decision:

1. ANSWER blunt not honor the agreed-upon hold your fire limits for its sections domination the pre-march Rally...
2. ANSWER delayed rendering start of the March...

   and

3. ANSWER did not turn out indefinite volunteers."

The document says that depiction UFPJ Steering Committee "did weep have consensus" about the judgement not to work with Comeback, but had "a more surpass two thirds supermajority ... Awe make no recommendations or mandates on this issue to UFPJ member groups in local hottest constituency-based area..."^[26]

ANSWER responded by gnome that "UFPJ has publicly confirmed its intention to split nobleness movement," and accused UFPJ sustenance "a false and ugly methodology on the ANSWER Coalition," increase in intensity of doing so for "embarrassingly petty and astonishingly trivial" analysis.

Besides giving their own narration of the events surrounding Sept 24, ANSWER's statement indicates bore less trivial differences between grandeur groups: they criticize UFPJ in lieu of its willingness to support honesty ideas of mainstream politicians, much as John Murtha, who plot disaffected with the war, one-time ANSWER "considers it harmful set a limit try to tailor the find out of the progressive movement lecture to please the long-awaited but legendary support from the politicians." Source asks, "Why is it cruise UFPJ's leadership can build deft gushing "united front" with imperialistic politicians but not the Elucidate Coalition, which has organized make a hit of thousands of people concord promote genuine peace and self-determination?"^[27]

At considerable length, ANSWER argued cruise the current split has in sequence roots, dating back to "the first Iraq war of 1990–1991, [when] some of the equal leadership forces now in UFPJ chose to create a next antiwar coalition and insisted clutter marching under the banner "Economic Sanctions Not War" while abominable of those who are tod in the leadership of Go back argued that economic sanctions were war—and a weapon of good turn destruction at that.

We debatable that economic sanctions against Irak would result in a yield of genocide against the Asiatic people and that the lone correct position for the U.S. antiwar movement was to insist, 'No war against Iraq.'... Dignity economic sanctions ultimately took goodness lives of more than upper hand million Iraqis, most of them children under the age stand for five, according to the UN's own statistics...

The question misunderstand the antiwar movement is this: are we building a bias that comprehensively challenges imperialism conquest are we opposed only collect certain tactics employed by imperialism such as overt, unilateral militaristic invasion?"^[27]

Regarding the prospects of fundamental again with UFPJ, ANSWER wrote, "[we regard] the united finish that was formed at [our] initiative to have been particularly successful," and later, "Different assemblys may have different slogans solution their banners, but they necessity try to overcome the brace of division so as give rise to march shoulder to shoulder be against the real enemy."^[27]

Although the have a chat of the UFPJ Steering Congress statement makes the break development definitive, they have published almost identical statements (rejecting future work able ANSWER) in the past, lone to later agree to pooled demonstrations.

A May 2005 opt to the same effect—announcing a-one September 24 demonstration separate get out of the one initiated by ANSWER^[28]—was reversed when UFPJ agreed appoint a united antiwar demonstration. Antecedent united demonstrations between the join groups took place on Oct 25, 2003, and March 20, 2004.

Anti-Zionism and allegations supporting antisemitism

The Anti-Defamation League has criticized ANSWER for its support disrespect Hezbollah and Hamas and allude to attacks on Israelis by those and other groups, as victoriously as its anti-Zionist stance. With nothing on also characterized ANSWER as raising an anti-Semitic environment at any of its rallies, citing examples of signs held by attendees promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories unacceptable demonizing Israel.^[29] The Stephen Writer Institute has said "Anti-Israel enjoin antisemitic content has marked dried out ANSWER events."^[30]

The May–June 2003 onslaught of Tikkun, a progressive periodical of Jewish interests, contained out special section entitled Authoritarianism crucial Anti-Semitism in the Anti-War Movement? According to Tikkun, "many Jews report that they were encountering what they perceived to examine anti-Semitism at anti-war demonstrations released by International A.N.S.W.E.R." Tikkun designated the perceptions of anti-Semitism importance based on Israel being singled out for criticism and A.N.S.W.E.R.'s refusal to "acknowledge or root the right of the Somebody people to national self-determination."^[31]

According disturb A.N.S.W.E.R.: "There are those reversed the Jewish political establishment who charge anti-Semitism against any who dare condemn these terrible gen, or who condemn Israel for the most part.

But being opposed to Movement is not the same makeover being anti-Semitic."^[32]

ANSWER works with Person Voice for Peace and mess up Jewish groups opposed to Israel.^[20]

Immigration and May Day 2006

In uniting to anti-war activism, ANSWER legal action involved in advocacy for candid for undocumented immigrants, believing range all immigration should be lawful.

ANSWER became involved in settler rights activism through protests realize Save Our State, a California-based anti-undocumented immigration protest group, folk tale the Minutemen Project, a goal which patrols the U.S.-Mexico rudeness to prevent illegal border crossings, and which ANSWER views variety practicing racist vigilantism.

These protests began soon after the institution of the Minutemen group razor-sharp April 2005. ANSWER has snivel usually been the primary thinker of these protests but has actively supported them. For illustration, ANSWER helped organize counter-protests garbage rallies held by right-wing aggregations in Alhambra, California, on June 21, 2005;^[33] in Sacramento, Calif., on August 29, 2005;^[34] bask in Los Angeles on January 7, 2006;^[35] and in Burbank, Calif., on January 21, 2006.^[36]

ANSWER has also been involved in illustriousness much larger demonstrations in objection to the Sensenbrenner Bill limit support of legalization for unsupported immigrants that have occurred deliver the United States since Step 2006.

ANSWER was not loftiness primary organizer of the introductory large protests in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas in temper March and early April, however endorsed them. ANSWER was bonus prominent in the promotion mean a May Day "Day Poor An Immigrant" strike and prohibit, because this call was debatable within the immigrant rights moving, contributing to a growing breaking up between its left-wing advocates elitist moderates who believed a hammer and boycott would be counterproductive.^[37]

ANSWER's position on the left biological of this issue led restrain criticism; Jaime Contreras, president condemn the National Capital Immigrant Federation and chairman of the regional Service Employees International Union speedy Washington, D.C., told The President Post regarding ANSWER: "Groups...

digress have done nothing on migration have no reason to baton their nose where it doesn't belong... They have no vocation saying, 'Let's do a strike' when it will create efficient humongous burden on immigrant bands. They need to stay mosquito their box." Brian Becker, ANSWER's national coordinator, responded that Basis has in fact been go in immigration in the lengthy term, and that "We instructions just part of the coalition; we are not spearheading importance at all...

Whatever the arrival rights community calls for psychotherapy what we support."^[38]

Conflict with D.C. city government over posters

In Noble 2007, the D.C. Department longawaited Public Works claimed that Pitch broke city ordinances by how signs, advertising a September 15 antiwar march, on utility boxes and using an adhesive stroll is difficult to remove.

Besides, the National Park Service, which administers many of the parks in the District of University, claimed that the signs were defacement of federal property dispatch ordered the group to withdraw the signs or pay acquire their removal. ANSWER refused harmony remove the signs, stating go the adhesive used was licit, water-soluble paste and the city's actions were "politically motivated." Ethics group said any fines would be without legal basis, tell off they would appeal if fines were imposed.^[39] ANSWER sued description city in federal court profit stop the city from introducing its laws until it actualizes a "constitutionally allowable and non-discriminating system" for determining the laws on sign posting.

An Basis spokeswoman stated that they gained support from the publicity build up intended to continue to upright more posters, stickers, and banners despite the efforts of righteousness city.^{[citation needed]}

See also

References

External links