Protesters Rally at Governor's Mansion to Oppose National Guard Deployment

On February 13, 1,000 Minnesota National Guard troops mobilized to go to Iraq. On February 12, a coalition of local anti-war groups gathered at the Governor’s Mansion to demonstrate their opposition to the year-long deployment that began despite supposed plans for the military to scale back the number of troops in Iraq. The coalition, which includes Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Women Against Military Madness, the Twin Cities Peace Campaign, and the Anti-War Committee is working in conjunction with a national campaign, “Bring the Guard Home! It’s the law,” a national movement of state campaigns to end the unlawful overseas deployment of our National Guard.

“These National Guard deployments prolong an unpopular war and occupation, cost millions of dollars and cause great hardships to the families and communities involved,” said Ray Camper, member of IVAW. “The people of Minnesota, the people of the U.S. and the people of Iraq want an end to the U.S. war and occupation, not an endless continuation of U.S. military involvement.”

In a February 5th press conference, coalition members delivered a statement that read in part: “The October 2002 Authorization to Use Military Force, which enabled President Bush to send our National Guard to Iraq, has expired. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found and therefore no UN resolutions remain to be enforced. Clearly, Iraq does not pose a threat to our national security. In the absence of any authority to keep the State Guard in Federal service, the authority over them should revert back to the State, where we need them most. Congress would have to pass a new Authorization to Use Military Force to keep them overseas. Since none exists, Minnesota National Guard troops should remain at home.

At the February 12th rally, the coalition called on Governor Pawlenty to 1) immediately pursue and exhaust every avenue to stop future deployment of Minnesota National Guard troops to Iraq, and 2) pursue and exhaust every avenue to bring Minnesota National Guard troops currently in Iraq home without delay.
Speakers emphasized the need for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and the importance of maintaining a strong anti-war movement.

“Some people think the anti-war movement can sit back and wait now that we’ve elected a new president who has spoken of reducing troop levels in Iraq,” said Anti-War Committee member, Meredith Aby. “However, this alleged drawdown is not currently a reality. It’s essential that we demand an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. We need to respect the Iraqi people’s right to self-determination and an independent future apart from the U.S. And Americans, who all too often enter the military as a result of deceptive recruiting practices and the economic draft, deserve to remain at home with their families. We invite anyone who opposes the war in Iraq to join us in pressuring Governor Pawlenty to keep the MN National Guard at home and demand that President Obama bring all U.S. troops home from Iraq.”