Tuesday, January 29, 2013

ACTION AGAINST KILLER DRONES FRIDAY!

STOP THE KILLER DRONES!
Signholding/Protest at First Friday Art Walk
Friday, February 1, 6:30-8:30pm
Corner of Bethel & Hotel (next to Hawai`i Theatre)


We have some awesome new banners! We'll have the huge drone replica (weather permitting)! We'll have our petition for people to sign! If you haven't already signed, do it now at: petition. And we need you to be on the corner with us.

Hawai`i's campaign against drones is now happening on three islands - O`ahu, Maui, and Hawai`i. Here's why you need to jump into this campaign:  

* The use of Predator and Reaper drones ( by the US military and CIA has caused thousands of deaths in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia, many of whom are women and children. Drone strikes are illegal and immoral and Hawai`i is directly involved. The use of drones as a weapon of war is illegal and immoral!

 • President Obama has drastically increased drone strikes and has expanded the use of drones for spying throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Drone strikes are in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. Most drone strikes take place hundreds of miles away from any battlefield where U.S. forces are engaged in combat. The UN Charter limits the use of military force—like drones—in or against another country to self-defense, and only in response to an imminent threat.  

Drone attacks are in violation of international and domestic laws guaranteeing due or lawful process. Most drone attacks are against groups or individuals the U.S. doesn’t even know and can’t individually identify.   • Initial drone strikes are frequently followed by strikes on those who come to the aid of the victims of that attack – frequently rescuers, loved ones, or neighbors (a practice the U.S. military calls a “double tap”).

 • Drone strikes lack any accountability whatsoever since they are conducted with the push of a button from thousands of miles away;  

Drone strikes do not make us safer. .Just the opposite. Each strike generates more anger, violence and revenge.  

Hawai`i plays a crucial role in the U.S. military’s ability to carry out its illegal and immoral drone warfare. Drones are being used in training at the Pohakaloa Military Training area on the Big Island; both Wheeler Air Force Base and Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station are authorized drone bases. U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa is a member of the Congressional Drone Caucus, which was formed to increase the use of drones.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

"Stop the Killer Drones" at the MLK Day Parade!

Thanks to everyone who made it possible to have an awesome contingent in the MLK Day Parade!

As our truck approached, with the Reaper drone replica "floating" above, people quickly dug out their cameras and cell phones and began snapping pictures.   Many along the route raised their fists, clapped, or danced to the beat of the drums.   Groups of Japanese tourists waved their hands in the air in the style of the Occupy approval. 

Our truck was fully decked out with banners and signs demanding an end to drone warfare.  Drummers led a crew of kids to keep up a beat on their drums and pans on the entire route while people unable to walk the route shouted from their chairs. 

You can watch a video of our contingent at:
http://youtu.be/vNylcpihmYE and a slide show compilation at http://youtu.be/Mbu5jeBo6OE.

Following are some still photos:


Monday, January 21, 2013

Support Roe v. Wade - Tuesday, Jan 22!

Stop the War on Women!

Abortion on Demand
and Without Apology!

Tuesday, January 22nd is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade! Join us for signholding to support choice! Here's the basic info:

Tuesday, January 22, 4-5:30pm
Corner of King & Ward
at Thomas Square

World Can't Wait will bring some signs but you're invited to bring your own.

Read the message from Sunsara Taylor and check out some of the actions happening this week across the U.S. at http://www.worldcantwait.net

Thursday, January 17, 2013

"Stop the Killer Drones Contingent" in the MLK Day Parade!

Be part of sending a powerful message to people around the world!   Join the "Stop the Killer Drones Contingent" in the MLK Day Parade on Monday, January 21st!

Last year more than 1,000 people marched in the MLK Day Parade and thousands watched from the sidewalks.  Pictures of the parade were blasted around the world.   World Can't Wait-Hawai`i has participated in this parade for a decade to protest continuing war, torture, and rendition.  This year we're aiming to send a strong message against drone warfare -- which is killing and wounding thousands in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and other countries.

World Can't Wait will have a HUGE replica of a Reaper drone (if the weather cooperates), along with signs and banners.  There will be a flatbed truck for those who want to ride

The MLK Day Parade is for EVERYONE!   Parents with baby strollers, skateboards, tricycles and bicycles, wheelchairs and wagons.  You can walk or you can ride.  Bring your own sign with your personal message, or carry one of ours.

Meet at Magic Island at 9am.  Just look for the blue world flags and the drone replica.   The parade will go through Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue and will end at Kapiolani Park, where a Unity Rally will begin at 11am.  There will be rides back to Magic Island, or you can catch the bus back. 

Be sure to bring sunscreen and water! 







Monday, January 7, 2013

Article in OpEd News by Ann Wright: "Drones Kill Kids: Protesting in Hawai`i..."

Following is an article by Ann Wright that appeared in OpEd News yesterday.    The protest was also mentioned in an article in yesterday's Star Advertiser on Obama's visit to Hawai`i.

January 6, 2013
Drones Kill Kids: Protesting in Hawaii Obama's Drone Program
By Ann Wright
As President Barack Obama spent his last day, January 5, in Hawaii, representatives from Hawaii Peace and Justice and World Can't Wait protested his assassin drone program and lack of effort on Palestinian issues in front of his Hawaii vacation home. US citizen protests against the American drone assassination program will continue in 2013.
::::::::

As President Barack Obama spent his last day, January 5, in Hawaii, representatives from Hawaii Peace and Justice and World Can't Wait protested his assassin drone program and lack of effort on Palestinian issues in front of his Hawaii vacation home.

Drone protests in the United States over the past three years have had an effect on reducing the number of drone strikes and the deaths of civilians. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) reported on January 4, that probably due to public criticism, "civilian deaths fell sharply in Pakistan in 2012, with Bureau data suggesting that a minimum of 2.5% of those reported killed were civilians -- compared with more than 14% in 2011. This suggests the CIA is seeking to limit non-militant casualties, perhaps as a result of sustained criticism."

BIJ states that another reason for a decline in Pakistani strikes and civilian casualties may have been growing hostility. Some 74% of polled citizens said they view the US as an enemy, and that Pakistan was the only nation favoring Mitt Romney for US President.

Anti-American feelings in Yemen continue to grow with the increase in drone attacks in that country. Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula last week issued a bounty of three kilograms of gold for the assassination of the US Ambassador to Yemen and a bounty of 5 million rials or $23,350 for the death of an American soldier.

US citizen protests against the American drone assassination program will continue in 2013 in the Arc of Justice march in Washington, DC on January 21, the day of President Obama's inauguration.
Protests in New York, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Missouri, Hawaii, Maryland, North Dakota and Wisconsin are planned for later in 2013.


(Photos by Renie Lindley)




Author's Website: www.voicesofconscience.com

Author's Bio:

Ann Wright is a 29 year US Army/Army Reserves veteran who retired as a Colonel and a former US diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the war on Iraq. She served in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia. In December, 2001 she was on the small team that reopened the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. She is the co-author of the book "Dissent: Voices of Conscience." (www.voicesofconscience.com).

Friday, January 4, 2013

ALERT! PROTEST AGAINST DRONES THIS SATURDAY @ 9:30AM

Obama is back in Hawai`i and there will be a protest against drone warfare near his Kailua vacation residence this Saturday (Janaury 5) at 9:30am

The protest will be at the corner of North Kalaheo & Kailuana.  The best place to park is at Aikahi Shopping Center.  Then just walk back along North Kalaheo.  Kailuana is just past the bridge.  You can also catch a ride from Revolution Books in Honolulu at 8:30am.

Bring signs if you're able or hold one of ours.   We'll also have blank posterboards so you can write your own message.

World Can't Wait will be holding signs focusing on drone warfare, but you're welcome to add your own message.

For more details about the escalation of drone attacks during the Obama administration, check out our past blogs at this site.   There's also a special section on drones on the national World Can't Wait website at http://www.worldcantwait.net.