Anti-War Committee

The Anti-War Committee (AWC) is an organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The AWC organizes many protests, educational events and other related activities. They played a leading role in the movement to protest against the Iraq war at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Organizational History

The Anti-War Committee began in December 1998, with 13 people who committed civil disobedience to protest the bombing of Iraq. The Anti-War Committee grew out of the Twin Cities chapter of the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), which had been active since the early 1980s. The Anti-War Committee has organized and been involved with most of the large anti-war protests in the Twin Cities since its founding in 1998.

Mission and Focus

The mission of the Anti-War Committee is to organize a broad-based peace and social justice movement which stands in solidarity with those communities, here and abroad, who are adversely affected by U.S. foreign policies. The organization's values are manifest in its core principles of self-determination for oppressed peoples and countries, and peace through justice.

The AWC works on many issues, with a focus on US foreign policy. Its members believe that the U.S. government has no right to intervene, militarily, economically or politically, in the affairs of independent nations. As of 2006, the organization's main focus is opposing the war in Iraq.

The Anti-War Committee calls for immediate withdrawal of all coalition troops from Iraq, and has collaborated with other groups to organize many protests and other activities toward that goal. They are also opposed to U.S. military aid to Israel and to Colombia.

The Anti-War Committee was the first organization to apply for permits and announce plans to protest at the 2008 Republican National Convention, which will be held in St. Paul, Minnesota. [http://www.startribune.com/587/story/814415.html]

Coalitions and Other Issues

The Anti-War Committee participates in the Iraq Peace Action Coalition (IPAC), the Coalition for Palestinian Rights (CPR) the Colombia Action Network (CAN), and is affiliated with the University of Minnesota Anti-War Organizing League (AWOL). The AWC also concerns itself with other issues, such as with the Welfare Rights Committee; supporting striking unions, such as during the Northwest Airlines Mechanics strike in 2005-2006; and participating in the Day Without Immigrants protest in 2006.

Media Coverage

* [http://www.fightbacknews.org/2008/09/anti-war-march-challenges-mccain-on-day-4-of-rnc.htm Anti-war march challenges McCain on last day of RNC: Crowd repeatedly tear gassed, 396 arrested as police pull out all stops to prevent anti-war march from reaching Xcel Center] Fight Back! News (retrieved September 16, 2008)
* [http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=139689 Anti-war protesters already planning for GOP convention] KARE11.com (retrieved November 28, 2006)
* [http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/03/19_helmsm_peaceniks/ One year later, peace activists not giving up] Minnesota Public Radio, dated March 19, 2004 (retrieved November 28, 2006)
* [https://www.mndaily.com/articles/2003/04/04/38489 25 protesters plead not guilty] Minnesota Daily, dated April 4, 2003 (retrieved November 28, 2006)
* [http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/03/20_helmsm_antiwar/ Anti-war protesters ramp up opposition] Minnesota Public Radio, dated March 20, 2003 (retrieved November 28, 2006)
* [http://www.startribune.com/462/story/46279.html Antiwar groups blast Bush and outline protests starting today] (Star Tribune, March 19, 2003 - retrieved November 28, 2006)

External links

* [http://www.antiwarcommittee.org Anti-War Committee]