M17: Knoxville Anti-War Rally

Knoxville, Tenn. -- Knoxville peace and anti-war activists will
participate in a national action on Saturday, March 17, marking the
fourth anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq and protesting
the continuing war and occupation. While protesters from around the
country march on the Pentagon, events will begin locally with a rally at
West Hills Park on N. Winston Road at 12 noon and culminate in a public
demonstration at Kingston Pike and Morrell Road near West Town Mall from
2 pm to 4 pm.

The Knoxville Area Coalition for Compassion Justice and Peace, the
University of Tennessee Progressive Student Alliance, the Oak Ridge
Environmental Peace Alliance, People for Peace, Knoxnet, the East
Tennessee Progressive Network and the Knoxville Green Party are among
the groups planning and sponsoring the action.

As of this date, over 3185 Americans have died in the Iraq War. Nearly
24,000 have been wounded. By some estimates, the war has caused the
deaths of 650,000 Iraqi men, women and children. It is costing $5.8
billion per month, a total of over $400 billion so far.

In his recent comments on the floor of the U.S. House of
Representatives, Congressman John Duncan (R., Tenn.) voiced a broad
criticism of the war, stating that "it is time to bring our troops
home." Linking the war to imperiled domestic programs, Duncan said,
"There is no way we can keep all of our promises to our own people on
Social Security, veterans' benefits, and many other things in the years
ahead if we keep trying to run the whole world."

Participants in the local action are urged to bring flowers in honor of
the war dead on all sides of this contentious and costly conflict.

Contacts: Jerry Bone 971-1583 or Bob Grimac 546-5643