Skip to main content

ATTENTION: This site is no longer active but remains as an archive.

Iraq Veterans Against the War has become About Face: Veterans Against the War. About Face can be found at aboutfaceveterans.org

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Join IVAW

Donate to IVAW

  • About
    • Founding of IVAW
    • Mission, Values, and Vision
    • War in Afghanistan
    • Why We Are against the Wars
    • Resolutions
    • IVAW Timeline
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Committee
    • Staff
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Operation Recovery
    • Winter Soldier
      • Breakdown of the Military
      • Civilian Testimony
      • Corporate Pillaging
      • Cost of War at Home
      • Crisis in Veterans Healthcare
      • Future of GI Resistance
      • Gender and Sexuality
      • Legacy of GI Resistance
      • Racism and War
      • Response to DoD
      • Rules of Engagement
      • Press Coverage
      • Press Releases
    • Right to Heal
  • Members
  • Resources
    • AWOL
    • Active Duty
    • Conscientious Objector
    • Depleted Uranium
    • History of Resistance
    • IRR Reactivation
    • Lariam
    • PTSD
    • Profiles of Resisters
    • Resources for Veterans
    • Stop Loss
    • Women's Resources
    • Mesothelioma
  • Press
  • Contact
    • Press
    • Speaker Request

Statement on the 12th Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq

published by IVAW National on 03/19/15 4:43pm
Posted to: 
Staff

Today is a solemn day for us. Twelve years ago the Bush administration launched the illegal invasion of Iraq, forever altering millions of lives.

As an organization made up of veterans who have seen firsthand the impacts of war and who have also been deeply implicated in it, we know that this day must be seared into our collective conscience. Forgetting can not be an option.

So much of what we see in our foreign policy and domestic political landscape can be connected to that fateful decision. It is reflected in everything from the climate of deep Islamophobia at home, to the high suicide rates of veterans, from the brutal rise of ISIS, to the militarization of police departments across the country. These are just a few examples of how widespread the effects have been.

As we look back on years of organizing against this war and see how familiar our government’s current path back into Iraq is, we want to highlight the importance of supporting those people and organizations in Iraq who are fighting for both systemic change and their own communities’ survival in a landscape fraught with oppressive forces whether they are ISIS, the corrupt and violent Iraqi government or the U.S. military. The work of grassroots organizations on the ground like the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) and the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) is deeply inspirational to us and deserving of all of our support and solidarity.

After twelve years of warfare, there is more to mourn than could possibly be summed up in any statement. But we do find hope in the continuous acts of resistance by individuals and organizations in Iraq and communities here at home who have taken a stand against violence, militarism, and racism. There is much work yet to be done. Despite the long road ahead of us, we remain steadfastly committed to working towards justice and accountability for the crimes perpetrated against Iraq and encourage all people of conscience to join us in resisting the march to perpetual war.

For ways to support grassroots organizations on the ground concretely, please donate to the Organization of Womens Freedom in Iraq and the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq at the provided links.

IVAW Admin's picture

Free Marc Hall!

March 1, 2010 Update - Army Spc Marc Hall, who had been jailed in Georgia county jails since December 12, 2009 for producing an angry hip-hop song about "stoploss" was placed on a military flight bound for Iraq Friday...
IVAW Admin's picture

Howard Zinn shall be missed

A few days ago I was staying at the home of my friend (and now IVAW ED) Jose Vasquez. We often rehash our many years in IVAW, telling our "war stories" and wondering where we shall be tomorrow. Therefore it would be no...
IVAW Admin's picture

New chapter and group pages!

Welcome to the new chapter and group page's. Because these pages are so new many do not even have their members added yet. If you know an IVAW member who should be listed on this page please email webmaster@ivaw.org or let...

Pages

  • « First
  • ‹ Prev
  • …
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23

Supporter Newsletter!

Donations

Make a single donation or become an IVAW sustainer by making your donation a recurring one. Please consider making your generous gift right now.
Donate Online Today!

Speaker Request

Please be advised that we get many speaker requests, but regret that we are sometimes unable to fill them.
Speaker Request

Joining IVAW

Iraq Veterans Against the War is open to Active Duty, National Guard and Reservists who have served since 09/11/2001.
Join IVAW

Navigation

  • About
  • Events
  • Campaigns
  • Committees
  • Chapters
  • Members
  • Resources
  • Contact