As the US and its coalition allies wave a banner of “liberation” over Iraq, marginalized and working class women are not fooled by this blatant attempt to transform a military attack into a political and economic occupation of Iraq.
“Liberating” Iraq with the installation of a pro-American government is tantamount to re-colonizing the country. Marginalized women will not be fooled by such distortion!
This latest colonization of Iraq is not about radical political and economic transformation in Iraq, an underdeveloped and war torn nation. The US, joined by other imperialist nations, caused the deaths of more than 500,000 people during the Gulf War, destroyed the infrastructure and social programs of Iraq and denied the provision of medicines and food with the imposition of an economic embargo on Iraq – resulting in the deaths of _ children per day, and is now adding to the tolls of victims with its latest military attack on Iraq.
This latest colonization is not about liberating the Iraqi people from a repressive regime: the US is already searching for pro-American Baath police, security and intelligence forces to install in Sadaam's wake.
This latest colonization of Iraq is merely a desperate attempt of the US to gain control over their spiraling economic crisis through control of the Middle East, particularly oil rich Iraq. Access to the world's second largest oil reserves is ever more necessary for industrial production and a continuous supply of petro-dollars critical to keeping the US economy afloat. The rebuilding of Iraq, because of devastation caused by American and coalition troops, is an economic boon for American companies searching for markets for their construction and infrastructure development business.
As marginalized and working class women, we will not be quiet witnesses to the senseless slaughter of women and children by American troops in Iraq, the Philippines and Columbia. We will not stand by as women and children are trafficked and prostituted for the purposes of the US military machine. We will not be silenced as our civil freedoms and liberties are attacked as we speak out against imperialist war and plunder. We refuse to accept the lies, distortions, and persecution by a system in crisis.
As marginalized and working class women, we add our voices to the millions around the world to call: Stop the US-led war on Iraq, the Philipines, and Columbia!
Down with imperialism!
Forward the struggle for genuine liberation!
Statement of Grassroots Women, April 12, 2003.