As bombs of death and destruction began to rain upon Iraq Wednesday night, the nightmare of imperialist takeover of Iraq officially started as George Bush announced the invasion of the oil-rich country. America will watch the war unfold as a primetime television event in the safety of their homes as many people in the Middle East pray for their lives.

As coordinated with hundreds of other emergency responses around the world, Richmonders rallied downtown to oppose the expansion of U.S. empire in the Middle East. Charlottesville also held its own emergency response as students walked out of class to resist the war on Iraq. Richmond mayor Rudy McCollum also held strong in his opposition to war as he fielded questions from the community about his anti-war resolution. A newly formed anti-war paint coalition has also been busy painting the town red with anti-war propaganda and recently issued a communique.

The anti-war movement now has a new mission to oppose the illegal occupation of Iraq and to fight for a future without government oppression and war. Resistance will continue to grow and we will move forward, but we need to invest much time and thought into what direction the movement will go. That said, all are invited to attend Richmond�s RECLAIM!, a conference on community, war and oppression this weekend. The conference serves as a time for reflection, planning and movement building

The weekend includes workshops, discussion, speaking events, a spokescouncil, a keynote address and a HUGE demonstration on Sunday.

Richmond is where it�s at the weekend of March 21. Area organizers are busily preparing for RECLAIM! a conference on community, war and oppression. The weekend promises to be an awesome gathering of people anxious for an alternative to war and violence.

Richmond activists are elated to host this conference and are pouring their hearts, minds and energy into this weekend where there will be many activities, a spokescouncil and a culminating march against poverty and war on March 23. A workshop schedule has been finalized, people are encouraged to register and if people cannot make it to RECLAIM!, we want you here in Richmond on Sunday to march against poverty and war.

During Monday�s city council meeting, Richmond mayor Rudy McCollum introduced an anti-war resolution for consideration. If the resolution is passed, RIchmond will join the ranks of hundreds of other U.S. cities that have resolved to say no to war on Iraq. Although the mayor is still an asshole as he sells the city�s people out to developer and big business interests, this resolution isn�t about supporting advancement of McCollum�s career, it�s about our city and we want our beloved town to take a stand against the war. Right wing elements have already launched a campaign to disuade the government, but it�s up to people of conscience to contact their city representatives and tell them to vote yes for the resolution.

Resistance in Virginia can�t be stopped as International Women�s Day Against War was celebrated in Richmond with the weekly Women in Black vigil where 86 women meditated in a silent march against war. Last weekend also saw the sentencing of three Virginian Catholic Workers to six months in prison for pouring their own blood on the Pentagon. Reports say support ran high during the trial of these three courageous individuals who will need your support while in a Northern Neck jail.

The Federal Communications Commission held public hearings in Richmond on media consolidation. As the government plans to relax rules on media ownership, people are moblizing to stop the hijacking of free speech and free press by corporate conglomerates. Dozens of dedicated activists from the East Coast came to Richmond to voice their outrage against media consolidation.

The administration has set the date of March 17 for Iraq to �disarm. � Be prepared to protest the war during an emergency response rally downtown the day after war is declared. Resistance is not futile if we have the power of the people behind us.
[ READ ON... ]

RECLAIM!
A Conference On Community, War & Oppression
RICHMOND, VA
FRIDAY, MARCH 21st thru SUNDAY, MARCH 23rd
AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT VCU & THE PACE CENTER
Childcare, food and housing provided.

Hey- If you're against war and live in or near the Virginia/Mid-Atlantic/Southeast area, we request your presence in Richmond the weekend of March 21-23 for RECLAIM! a conference on community, war and oppression. During RECLAIM we'll be building a bigger and stronger, long-lasting anti-war movement in our particular part of the country by networking and equipping a couple hundred activists from all walks of life with the skills, knowledge and connections they need to fight the fundamental reasons for the government�s mad oil war. There will be workshops, skill-sharing sessions, panel discussions, films, demonstrations, a regionalspokescouncil and more. If you're against Bush's "endless war" in all of its different manifestations, please try to make it to Richmond at the end of March. Movements don't build themselves, and power doesn't conceed anything without demand.
[ READ MORE ABOUT RECLAIM... | READ ABOUT THE STATEWIDE SPOKESCOUNCIL... ]

Over a million took the streets of London. Half a million raised their voices in New York City (READ: Sue Frankel-Streit�s account.) Jews and Palestinians marched together in Israel and the entire population of a small town called Perth, Australia protested together.

February 15th was truly a day of massive global resistance to the US empire�s plans to wage war upon Iraq. In hundreds of cities all across the world millions took a stand against another war for oil, political control and imperialism. Check out Infoshop.org�s special February 15th newswire to see pictures and read accounts about the global day of protest. The cracks in the US government�s schemes are starting to show and all of us here in Virginia need to keep up the resistance!

On Friday March 21st through Saturday March 23rd Richmond will be hosting RECLAIM: a conference on community, war and oppression. This gathering will be a place to continue building a statewide movement for social justice against the US government�s �endless war�. We�ve got flyers, plans, schemes and dreams. If you want to help promote or plan the conference drop an e-mail to a16rva@hotmail.com.

On Saturday March 15th the Virginia Anti-War Network will be hosting a GI Rights Counseling Training in Hopewell, VA. Come for an all day hands-on, skill building session that will equip you with knowledge to help counsel enlisted folks about conscientous objector status, GI rights and legal troubles.

OK now for some recent Richmond news.

Last week notorious white supremacist Ron Doggett held a protest in opposition to the planned statue of Abraham Lincoln. Several Richmond radicals stumbled upon the protest and had a good time driving around the block heckling Doggett and his gang, while a few decided to hang out accross the street in opposition to the rally. Read the Times-Dispatch article.

Free Palestine Now recently took their VCU Israel Divestment Campaign a step further with a day of street theatre on VCU campus (READ: Emily Harry�s account.) Richmond IMC�s Jen Lawhorne has provided us with an article about this inspiring Palestinan solidarity group and their divestment campaign.

Norman Schwarzkopf came to town in February and we held a protest urging him to send a message to George W Bush: Back Off Iraq! (READ: Jen Lawhorne�s account of the protest)

Well that ends this installment of Richmond Indymedia. But before we go here are some inspiring pictures of the defaced National Guard Recruting Center on Broad St.

On Tuesday January 28th George W. Bush delivered the state of the union address to a nation in uncertain times. Inside the Capitol building Bush vied to win public support for the military conquest of Iraq while also trying to quell growing fears over the poor state of the economy.

Outside over 1000 protesters gathered at a rally & concert to draw attention to the �Sorry State of the Union�. People gathered in below freezing temperatures to take a stand against the the US government�s plans for a war on Iraq and to criticize Bush�s policies on...well just about everything. The event, sponsored by the Shirts Off coalition (a DC area anti-war organization), was an interesting mix of live music, speakers, video, and performance. Hip-hop artists like Mr. Lif shared the stage with members of the Green Party, anti-capitalists, jungle djs, punk bands and trade unionists. After Minneapolis city council member Natalie Johnson Lee delivered the official Green Party response to the state of the union, anti-capitalists took part in an unpermitted march throughout DC. The march was physically pushed off the streets and onto the sidewalk by DC police for most of the route. However many people involved in the march found it quite inspiring.

The following day, over 30 Richmonders protested at the federal courthouse to speak their minds about the state of the union (Read IMC reporter Jen Lawhorne�s account). �It was the same old garbage of lies and deceit,� protester Marcia Dickinson, 65, said. �Bush has set us up to go to war since the beginning.� Plainclothes police officers videotaped the rally while police officers mounted on horses provided an intimidating presence.

Sometimes people make sacrifices to stand for justice and peace. Recently, local activist Thomas Cleary was sentenced to 6 months home imprisonment for trespassing onto the Fort Benning, Ga. army base to protest the School of the Americas, a military institute responsible for training South American death squads and paramilitaries. Many others who committed civil disobedience to protest the SOA have also been sentenced to prison for their dissent. To learn more check out the webpage for SOA Watch. Additionally, VA Catholic Workers Bill Frankel-Streit and Steve Baggarly, and NC Catholic Worker Steve Wolford are facing trial for pouring their blood on the Pentagon to protest militarism and war (Read Steve Baggerly�s statement on the action). They face a trial date on March 7th at 9:00 a.m. at the Alexandria, Va. Federal Courthouse for 3 misdemeanor charges. It is likely that the district attorney will press for jail time; the misdemeanor charges could carry 18 months total. The Catholic Worker crew is asking for people of conscience and freedom fighters to show support and continuing opposition to war by coming to their trial.

In somewhat related news, citizens in Virginia are taking a stand for the rights of ex-convicts. On Jan. 20th, over 100 citizens rallied at the state capitol�s Bell Tower to support former prisoners' rights to employment (read IMC reporter Jen Lawhorne�s account). The rally, led by Virginia Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (VA CURE), lobbied support for the passage of a bill (SB 1064) that would give state preference to businesses that hire ex-felons. CURE was also pushing for other measures to be passed to improve rehabilitative support for ex-cons, restrict access to criminal histories, and to declare a state moratorium on the death penalty.

Resistance to the status quo will continue to bloom in Virginia and beyond. On Wednesday, Feb. 5th the Rotary Club of South Richmond will be bringing General Norman Schwarzkopf to the Landmark Theater ( the corner of Laurel and Main St.) at 6 p.m. for a fundraising event. While General Schwarzkopf has made statements criticizing and questioning the current drive to war, Richmonders will still be there to call him out for his support for sanctions on Iraq and his many violations of human rights, both Iraqis and enlisted US military, during the first Gulf War. Bring signs, leaflets, and conviction to let Stormin� Norman know that we will NOT forget the attrocities of Operation Desert Storm. On Feb. 6th, Free Palestine Now will be hosting an event on the Palestinian Struggle featuring Palestinian activist Ramzy Baroud and spoken word artist Miriam Lodin. On Feb. 8th U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan will be visiting the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. and a protest is planned. On Feb. 15th mass demonstrations will take place in NYC and around the world. A bus is being organized by the VA Beach Greens if you�re interested in attending. On, Mar. 21-23 RECLAIM: A Conference on War Community and Oppression will take place in Richmond, Va. Keep posted to this sight for details as they come together. If full-out war on Iraq is declared Richmonders are encouraged to gather at noon at the federal courthouse for an emergency response.
[ Point By Point Analysis of Bush's State of The Union Address ]

This winter's freezing cold weather is unbearable for us all, but imagine if you were homeless and lived in Richmond, a place where few options exist for this ignored and neglected population. When cold weather forces the city's limited number of shelters to fill quickly, people go to the emergency overflow shelter, which opens when temperatures fall below 35 degrees. But even when people seek shelter there, many are denied a warm place to sleep on many occasions. Read more...

The tide is turning against the U.S. empire�s plans to tighten its grip on the Middle East. On the weekend of Jan. 18, global protests confronted the building drive of US military conquest of Iraq. From the bustling streets of Tokyo, to the frigid city of Washington D.C., to sunny San Francisco, and the small town of Charlottesville, Va., people stood together with one common demand: �No war on Iraq!�

In Charlottesville, an estimated 1,000 people gathered at city hall during bicentennial commemorations of the Lewis & Clark expedition across the continent, which laid the path for white settlement and pursuit of lands west of the Mississippi. On Saturday, protesters gathered to oppose the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the Middle East. At one point, a small group of demonstrators ventured into the main bicentennial festivities, dropping banners criticizing secretary of the interior Gale Norton, a special guest of the celebration, for her policies towards land management in the U.S., which protesters said were an attack on both public lands and Native American rights.

Many Richmonders traveled to D.C., where more than 200,000 people marched from the capitol to the naval yard in opposition to the potential U.S. invasion of Iraq. The protests started off with a festive convergence at Union Station where anti-capitalists and progressive Muslims held a percussion protest against the registration and detention of immigrants and war on Iraq. (read IMC reporter Luther Blisset�s account). The feeder march made its way over to the mass anti-war rally at the mall where people from all walks of life listened to speakers, shared thoughts and tried to keep warm in below-freezing temperatures.

A diverse display of resistance manifested (read IMC reporter Jen Lawhorne�s account) while a large anarchist contingent amassed and distributed a statement of working class resistance from the Roundhouse Collective of Baltimore. Speakers took the stage to rail against U.S. imperialism and military conquest; among them was Vietnam War Veteran Ron Novick who spoke movingly to the crowd. �This is a great day for America,� Novick said, �I lost three quarters of of my body in Vietnam. You will find strength. You were born to take this country back. No blood for oil!�

The march left the mall and slowly proceeded through the streets of D.C. to the naval yard where it ended with a rally. Resistance didn�t end on Saturday as more than 1,000 people marched on the white house and demanded entrance to Lafayette Park. Dozens were arrested including some Virginians.

Be assured Richmond opposition won�t stop this weekend. Plans are underway for a regional conference during mid-April against war and oppression. The Richmond Women in Black are holding a silent march every Saturday at 1 p.m. on Main and Boulevard . If the US government does declare war, local organizers have planned an emergency response that is coordinated with multitudes of other U.S. cities where opponents to the Bush regime are gathering at their local federal buildings at noon the day after war is declared.

The clock is ticking as many folks in Richmond realize there�s little time to spare to head off the government�s conquest of Iraq. Many hearts, hands and minds are busy putting their efforts toward stopping the Bush administration�s war-mongering schemes.

On Jan. 6, as hundreds of workers arrived at the Pentagon, three Virginian Catholic Workers poured human blood on the doors of the complex�s metro entrance while a crowd of 60 stood with banners demanding an end to war. The three men were arrested along with eleven others who were charged with �failure to disperse.� �The Pentagon�s business is war and war is a bloody business. The U.S. empire is buillt on the blood of the poor and the innocent. Our actions merely make visible that reality,� said Bill Frankel-Streit and Steve Baggarly Williams. Read one Catholic Worker�s account.

Richmonders Against War and Racism, The Better Days Collective, and Richmond Food Not Bombs will mobilize on Jan.18 for a massive anti-war rally and march in D.C. sponsored by ANSWER. At 8 a.m. all are invited to meet at Richmond�s Second Baptist Church (1400 Idlewood Ave.) to carpool to D.C. Both FNB and the Better Days Collective will attend a percussion protest feeder march where thousands will engage in rhythmic resistance to the war. The feeder march, sponsored by Positive Force, SUSTAIN (Stop US Tax Aid To Israel Now), Anti-Capitalist Convergence-DC, Left Turn, D.C. Statehood Green Party, the Better Days Collective, and Richmond Food Not Bombs, begins at noon at Union Station and will march to ANSWER�s huge anti-war rally.

Also on Jan.18 war resisters in Charlottesville have planned a day of protest against the war. This rally was originally planned when George W. himself was scheduled to appear at the bicentennial celebration of the Lewis & Clark expedition. Bush backed out, but Charlottesville expects a �high ranking government official� to attend the celebration of those bold explorers, who laid the path for the genocide of First Nations people West of the Mississippi. Virginians plan to show up in force and speak out both against the disgusting celebration of the genocide of First Nations people and the genocidal war on the Iraqi people.

One week later, on Jan. 24, members of the Better Days Collective and others are planning a road trip to Pittsburgh to participate in a protest against the war organized by Pittsburgh Organizing Group, the Thomas Merton Center and others. If you want to keep abreast of what�s happening during the protests why not check out the newly created Pittsburgh Independant Media Center. As Jan. 27 is the deadline for U.N. inspectors to report back as to whether Iraq is in compliance with the security council resolution this is a crucial weekend to make dissent heard loud and clear.

If the Bush regime does mobilize U.S. forces against Iraq, Richmonders plan to hold an emergency response rally. A call has been issued to assemble at noon the day AFTER war is declared. Come to 10th & Main Streets with signs, banners, attitude, and voice your outrage against our government�s bloodthirsty conquest of Iraq!

Dec. 21 saw two vocal displays of resistance in Richmond to war on Iraq. The anti-war movement is growing in this Southern city as people from various backgrounds and experiences come out to oppose the Bush administration's plans to escalate the attack on Iraq.

Richmond saw its first-ever Women in Black vigil as 30 women gathered Saturday afternoon for symbolic resistance to war. Read the full story and view photos of the vigil.

Later on that night, 60 people, some carrying torches, marched through Carytown, a Richmond shopping district. The spirited protest caught the attention of many shoppers, workers, business owners and especially the police as seven people were arrested for participating in the march. Read the IMC article and an arrested person's account, and check out these photos of the march.

Some major anti-war events are on the horizon! First, there's the country's last major national mobilization against the war in D.C. on Jan.18; Charlottesville is also inviting people to protest the war the same day. At the end of January, members of the resistance community will gather in D.C. for the National Conference on Organized Resistance, a convergence of talks, workshops, skill-sharing and socializing! NCOR features workshops hosted by four Richmonders this year, be sure to check the workshops out.

Street artists have been manifesting resistance to war on Iraq. Some people wheatpasted enlarged copies of David Rees' comic book, Get Your War On. The comics appeared downtown, on an abandoned storefront in Carytown and on the front windows of senator George Allen's Franklin Street office. Check out photos of these wheatpastings.
[ Women in Black website | Get Your War On website ]

The Richmond Coalition for a Living Wage mobilized to city hall this week to protest city council's voting to increase the pay of city manager Calvin Jamison while thousands of Richmonders live in poverty. Activists held up signs spelling out, "Living Wage Now!" and witnessed firsthand the city's negligence of the working poor. Read more...

As the Bush administration searches for every reason to destroy Iraq, the scripted build-up to war has given opponents lots of time to respond. Go to A.N.S.W.E.R.'s Jan.18 anti-war march in D.C. or go to Charlottesville for an anti-genocide protest.

Localities and cities throughout the country are planning emergency response situations to occur the day after the U.S. officially escalates the bombing of Iraq or begins its invasion. The Virginia anti-war network has agreed to perform coordinated responses throughout the state the day after the official declaration occurs. In Richmond, activists plan to gather at noon the day after at the Federal Building at 10th and Main Streets.

Also, the weekend of the winter solstice will see some interesting actions. Attend Richmond's Women in Black vigil or the Anarchist Encuentro on Saturday. Food Not Bombs is raising money for Palestinian medical relief by selling keffiyehs. Buy a keffiyeh for Palestinian solidarity

Unstoppable in dismantling barriers to community building, Food Not Bombs activists declared on Dec. 8 a call for respect in a step to return Monroe Park to a safe space for all who gather for the Sunday meal. Several people went on strike and issued a Statement of Respect flyer to create dialogue at the park, while strikers and their allies engaged people in the park as to why the strike was occuring. Read a striker�s personal account and the IMC article about Sunday�s call for respect.

Last week witnessed the passing away of Father Philip Berrigan, an awe-inspiring member of the country�s resistance movement, who was one of the first to burn his draft card in resistance to the Vietnam War and participated in the infamous Plowshares actions. His funeral was held Monday, Dec. 9 at St. Peter Claver parish in Baltimore and was attended by more than 500 people.

Jailed freedom fighters from Richmond and Charlottesville were recently released. Nancy Gowan served three months in jail after crossing the line onto Fort Benning during last year�s School of the America�s protest. Andrew Holden served time in Virginia for participating in massive sit-ins at Charlottesville�s major hotels, whose workers are struggling for a living wage. Read Nancy�s and Andrew�s reflections upon release.

Also, some exciting events are on the horizon! Richmond�s Better Days Collective will host an Anarchist Encuentro on Saturday, Dec.21 at the Pace Center. Charlottesville is calling for people to protest George Bush�s scheduled visit to the town on Saturday, Jan.18. Let�s keep the heat on and let Bush know we don�t want his trash in our backyard!

It seems that the Earth Liberation Front, an ecological resistance movement, has been taking action in the Richmond area against pollution, suburban sprawl, and the ecologically and culturally devastating fast food industry. The actions which have included vandalizing SUVs and defacing corporate fast food restaurants, are getting national attention including a recent article in the NY Times and an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. As of yet the ELF cell operating in the Richmond area has made no public statements about its actions, but has etched the initials "ELF" on SUVs in the yuppie infested West End ,on a McDonald's restaurant, and other targets.

Richmond activists have expressed mixed opinions about the ELF actions. Several essays have been published on the IMC newswire by Inconquistada and wispy in support of the ELF. However, some people feel that the actions are an inappropriate tactic to affect social change. Got an opinion? Post it to the newswire.

For more information on what's wrong with SUVs, McDonald's, and capitalist exploitation of the environment click on the links below.
[ Changing The Climate | What Would Jesus Drive | McSpotlight ]