Over four thousands protested today in Lahore against the Iraq occupation by the American imperialists and other allied forces. The rally was organized by Anti War Committee Pakistan, an alliance of several political, social and trade unions organizations. The protesters were carrying placard “Hands Off Iraq, Imperialists, leave Iraq, No to Iraq Occupation. They chanted slogans against Bush and Mushraf, Americans our of Iraq, No to American imperialism, Americans Leave Afghanistan, No to Bush Mushraf alliance, we have been looted by the military generals, No to militarization,
The rally was addressed by Abid Hassan Minto president National Workers Party, Farooq Tariq general secretary Labour Party Pakistan, Furrukh Suhail Goindi, secretary Anti War Committee Pakistan and Abdullah Kamoka general secretary Pakistan Mazdoor Kissan Party.
The speaker condemned the re-colonization by the American imperialism and stressed the need for a total unity of the progressive forces to fight the onslaught of the neo liberal agenda imposed by the dictates of the international institutions like IMF, World Bank and WTO. They criticized the religious fundamentalist forces who had made a big noise on Danish Cartoons but have organized nothing on the three years of Iraq occupation. The religious fundamentalists are not anti imperialists but underhand cooperating with them. The speakers expressed complete solidarity with the struggling masses of Iraq and Afghanistan in their effort to defeat the American Imperialism.
The rally ended at Gawal Mandi Chouck Lahore peacefully. It was one of the largest demonstrations that the Left forces had organized in Lahore in recent times.
There were other demonstrations in Karachi, Multan, Islamabad and Peshawar on the same issue by the progressive forces.
March 2, 2006
Demonstrators greet Bush
The Labour Party Pakistan demonstrated in Lahore and Karachi on March 2 against President Bush’s visit to the country. The protests were joined by the main radical social movements, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights, Aurat (Women’s) Foudation, Justice and Peace Commission. Slogans included : Killer Bush go back, Hands off Afghanistan, Iraq, Cuba and Venezuela.
The Lahore march had been banned by the police and organisers were threatened with arrest. This meant that large numbers of journalists turned up in anticipation of trouble. In the end the police did not arrest any one. These were the only protests against Bush’s visit and followed large demonstrations in Dehli, India to greet him there a few days earlier.