NOAC "Day After" Rally
6:00 PM
Southwest Quadrant
Public Square
Downtown Cleveland

[this rally will immediately follow the Cleveland Nonviolence Network's
planned action at the Soldier's and Sailors Monument on Public Square from
4-6 PM]

For up-to-date information, please call the new NOAC number at 216-736-4716.

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PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release March 17, 2003

Contacts: Greg Coleridge o 330-253-7151

NOAC Statement in Response to George Bush Address on Iraq

The Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition [NOAC] condemns the call by George Bush
for war against the nation and people of Iraq. The 48-hour ultimatum issued
to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq or face devastating military attack will
result in devastating suffering to the Iraqi people, the same people George
Bush has admitted are not responsible for their leader or his actions.

NOAC believes that a unilateral and preemptive military action opposed by
the vast majority of nations and people of the world is arrogant, dangerous
and obsolete because it legitimizes aggressive military ambitions of any
nation. The withdrawal of the US-sponsored resolution from the UN Security
Council is a sign that the US is virtually isolated in the world in its
beliefs and plans.

NOAC believes that an invasion of Iraq is a betrayal of the United States
government toward US troops by placing them unnecessarily at risk to respond
to an unproven threat to the United States and its people.

NOAC believes that an attack on Iraq will be less a war, which implies a
battle of relative equals, than a slaughter resulting in the death and
injuries to thousands of people, mostly women and children; the destruction
to Iraq's already fragile infrastructure; and further despoliation of the
environment of Iraq and beyond.

NOAC believes that an invasion of Iraq is not at root about responding to
the 9/11 attacks or about bringing Saddam Hussein to justice. It is instead
at root about gaining US control over the Iraqi oil fields to benefit US oil
and construction corporations and about expanding the US military empire in
the Middle East.

NOAC believes that an Iraqi war will hurt most people in the United States
socially and economically since the estimated 100 billions dollar cost for
the war will not be available for jobs, education, health care, housing, and
the environment. Much of the $100 billion will be used, instead, to pay
weapons corporations for armaments to destroy Iraq and then to construction
corporations to rebuild Iraq.

NOAC calls for all people of peace, justice and conscience everywhere to
flood the White House and Senate offices with calls opposing this reckless
war in violation of the US Constitution and international law. If war is
launched, NOAC calls for the public everywhere to flood Public Square at
6:00 PM the day afterward.

Millions of people all over the world, including those in Northeast Ohio,
must stand up, speak out and do all we can to stop war and start real peace
and justice.

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The Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition [NOAC] is an umbrella coalition focused
on stopping the escalating war on Iraq. It seeks to bring together a broad
number of people and individuals for the purpose of organizing mass, visible
events of a peaceful character. NOAC has been the major organizer of 6 major
mass actions in Northeast Ohio since November, 2002.