While most major GLBT organizations are taking a wait-and-see attitude about the impending war on Iraq, some progressive groups and individuals are speaking out against the proposed Bush military buildup and "blank check" to wage war.
Thousands of people participated in the Not In Our Name rally Sunday afternoon at the Chicago Tribune Plaza, and many GLBTs were among those with picket signs.
Chicago Anti-Bashing Network was one of the official endorsers of the rally, along with dozens of other groups including Illinois NOW, the Peace Museum, and the 8th Day Center for Justice, in addition to prominent individuals such as author Studs Terkel and Rev. Greg and Jade Dell of Broadway Methodist Church. There were many parents and grandparents, and a range in ages from infant to 80-plus.
The event was also quite inclusive of all races, both those speaking on stage and participating in the activities.
The Chicago rally and march, with attendance estimated between 2,000-3,000, was part of a National Day of Resistance Oct. 6, the anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan.
Sterling Plumpp read an eloquent and lengthy statement opposing the war by Chicago writer Studs Terkel. Several well-known performers joined together on stage to recite various riffs on the "Not In Our Name" theme of the day.
The Metropolitan Community Churches, an international movement, is among the rare gay groups speaking out on the crisis. They are calling for a peaceful solution. they are calling on "people of faith and people of goodwill everywhere, especially our sisters and brothers in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities who know first hand what it means to be vilified, labeled and violently attacked, and who also know how difficult it is to survive under such circumstances, to join with the friends and members of Metropolitan Community Churches to oppose any further acts of aggression against Iraq.
"This is neither an issue of political affiliation nor nationalistic loyalty. It is rather a deeply spiritual issue with potentially devastating consequences to God's world. It is a deeply spiritual issue in which we are called to enter into the mind and heart and will of God for all creation. We call upon Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to honor U.N. resolutions which have been agreed upon by the family of nations; [and] we call upon U.S. President George Bush to exercise the same leadership he demonstrated in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, in which he fostered peace by encouraging people of diverse faiths and cultures to come together to worship, and mourn, and understand, and remember."
Pride At Work, a GLBT labor union affiliated with the AFL-CIO, has issued a Resolution Against U.S. Preemptive Attacks and War: "Whereas President Bush proposes to increase the United States defense spending by $48 billion in 2003 and proposes to increase spending on Homeland Security by $19 billion in 2003 bringing both defense and homeland security expenditures to $76 billion or an increase of 0.69 % of the Gross Domestic Product for 2003 and; Whereas President Bush has threatened a preemptive strike against Iraq in his open-ended pursuit of the 'War on Terrorism' and Iraq has not attacked the United States or credibly threatened the United States, and although Iraq's weapons programs remain a serious concern to the United States, no evidence has shown any immediate threat to the U.S. or neighboring countries and under international law one country is justified in attacking another country only when it is under attack or about to be under attack ... RESOLVED that the Pride At Work, AFL-CIO will campaign against preemptive war strikes to Iraq or any other country without the support of international law and community, and without the approval by Congress and will support military actions only under the immediate and justified threat to the United States or its allies."
Chicagoland Pride at Work has joined the Chicago coalition of groups working to fight movement towards a war.
See www.notinourname.net or call (773) 250-3196, (212) 533-2125; e-mail notinourname_chi@together.net
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin can be reached at (312) 353-4952; U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald at (312) 386-3506.
Additional events: Friday, Oct. 25, 4:30 p.m., Federal Plaza, Adams and Dearborn, a send-off rally for those attending the National March on Washington to stop the War on Iraq Oct. 26. Call (888) 471-0874, Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism, CCAWR@aol.com .
