September 19th, 2001
By Fhar Miess
The Alarm! Newspaper collective
Even as the U.S. military gears up for war against Afghanistan in what it has dubbed Operation Infinite Justice, concerned folks around the globe are mobilizing for a peaceful solution to the conflict and the end of a cycle of violence and terrorism fostered by, and now inflicted upon, the United States.
Yesterday, the Pentagon ordered warships into the Persian Gulf and as we go to press, mainstream media report over 100 warplanes have been deployed to bases in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, from where they could strike either Iraq or Afghanistan, with more to come.
Meanwhile, over 600 people showed up for a forum at Santa Cruzs Pacific Cultural Center in the Seabright neighborhood. Forum organizers announced that over 450 were in attendance, while nearly 150 more had to be turned away because there was not enough room. The forum, supported by the Doug Rand Action Fund, Santa Cruz Green Party, Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, Resource Center for Nonviolence, and the United Nations Association, among others, consisted of speakers addressing the topic of peaceful responses to the terrorist attacks. This very tired reporter was unfortunately unable to attend in order to get this paper out, and he asks the forgiveness of organizers and the public if his second-hand information proves inaccurate.
This space was originally to be set aside to provide a comprehensive listing of peace & justice and anti-war actions which have happened and which are happening around the city and around the globe, but in the last twenty-four hours, that number has so expanded as to make such a listing impossible for the size of this paper, but here are some highlights of actions locally and around the world:

- In Portland, Oakland and other cities, there are Instant
Reaction teams being formed. The idea is that this is a list of
names and phone numbers of people who are willing to be contacted at a moments
notice to be support for Arab-Americans, Palestinian-Americans and other
Muslim-Americans who may be targeted with violence or threats. Support may
include rallying around mosques, providing personal accompaniment to people
whove been threatened, spending the night in threatened peoples
houses, etc.
- A similar effort is being set up here in Santa Cruz. Neighbors
to Neighbors is a project being set up for the purpose. If you
or anyone you know of needs this sort of support, we urge you to call their
hotline at 831-818-4705.
- Again in Portland, at least 2600 people showed up for a
peace march on the afternoon of September 16th.
- At the other end of the numbers spectrum, Caroline Hanley and Shakina
Nayfack have been spending their mornings walking up and down Pacific,
from Kinkos to the Clock Tower, showing that [theyre]
ready to mobilize for peace and striking up conversations with folks
along the way. They are looking for people to join them.
- Early Tuesday morning, on the one-week anniversary of the attacks,
10 activists stationed themselves at the intersection of Hwy. 1 and
River St., holding signs advocating peaceful solutions to the conflict.
We could tell that people were eager to see that there were other
people against the war, says Cassandra Brown of the event.
She reports that some motorists exclaimed Finally! as they drove
past. It was not always so positive, however. Cassandra also related the
story of one man in a large truck with a large American flag who yelled
Nuke the Niggers! See the first three action items in this list
for suggestions for an appropriate response.
- If last nights forum at the Pacific Cultural Center is any indication,
turnout at this Saturdays anti-war march, scheduled
to start at noon at San Lorenzo Park, should be spectacular.
Beachfest, an enormous Christian event, will be held that day as well. Uhh,
no further comment, there.
- Massive protests are scheduled for this evening (Thursday)
at college campuses across the country.
- On Wednesday, September 12th, at least two student walk-outs
were reported to have occurred in Quebec City (those Quebecois dont
waste any time, I guess), in protest of imminent military build-up
- Polish activists staged a postering campaign just days after
the attack with fake recruitment posters for mercenaries interested in joining
the American Foreign Legion. The posters advertised free KFC meals, $600
per month and eligibility for a green card after service. Those willing
to accept suicide missions would receive a bonus and a free plot in Arlington
cemetery. The posters were quickly removed.
- A little bird told me that lots of posters and banners were put
up by other little birds (no relation) Tuesday night in Santa
Cruz and were likewise quickly removed before dawn. Im sure they
all had very clever slogans which you should be sad that you missed. And,
no you cant have the little birds numberI would lose all
credibility amongst their kind and Id never get a scoop from them
again.
- Other anonymous-types surreptitiously slipped anti-war flyers
in many of the local newspapers in Asheville, North Carolina.