Iraqi women, children march against (Iraqi) "terrorists"

Reuters | 12/05/03

[kattracks]

BAGHDAD, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Up to 1,000 Iraqis, including children orphaned by the war that ousted Saddam Hussein, marched through Baghdad on Friday to denounce guerrilla attacks and show support for U.S.-led occupation forces.

Carrying banners blaming Saddam loyalists for "terrorism", the demonstrators marched down one of Baghdad's busiest streets before gathering in Firdos Square, where a statue of Saddam was famously pulled down as U.S. troops drove into the heart of the capital in April.

"We organised this demonstration because the terrorists now kill a lot of people," said Abdul Aziz Al-Yassiri, coordinator of the Iraqi Democratic Trend, a recently formed social group.

"They kill the children, kill women, kill the people, kill the police. They want to stop our plan for a democratic system."

It was the second time in two weeks that demonstrators gathered in significant numbers to back U.S. attempts to rebuild the country and denounce guerrilla activities. Another march is planned for next Friday, the Muslim holy day.

Most of those who marched were Shi'ite Muslims, who make up about 60 percent of Iraq's population but were discriminated against under Saddam, a Sunni.

Several dozen young children holding flowers marched at the head of the demonstration while women accompanying them held up placards reading "Terrorism blocks the future for children" and "Children -- innocent victims of terror".

At least four Iraqis were killed on Friday in a bomb blast on a busy street in eastern Baghdad. One U.S. soldier was also killed in the explosion, which occurred as a crowded public bus and a U.S. military convoy were passing each other.

Iraqi police and ordinary civilians have increasingly become victims of insurgents, who strike almost every day.

The Iraq Body Count, an Anglo-American non-governmental group, estimates that as many as 9,800 Iraqi civilians have died since U.S. forces invaded to overthrow Saddam.

Over the same period, more than 500 U.S. and coalition soldiers have been killed either in direct military combat, in accidents or at the hands of anti-coalition guerrilla fighters.

In the seven months since Washington declared major combat over in the country, the U.S.-led civilian authority has struggled to set up structures to usher in democracy, a task complicated by the dogged insurgency.

"No mercy to those who have no mercy towards people," screamed one protester on Friday. "We will go ahead with our democratic process despite these acts."

[cake_crumb]

Then they *might* call them terrorists. IIRC it was Rooters that labeled all terrists in Iraq - FOREIGN and dommestic - "insurgants", while Palis only get to be called "militants".

Palis ought to complain, too. After all, THEY'VE got almost a 40 year jomp on Iraqi "insurgants" but terrorists in Iraq get a label with more "GRAVITAS". Isn't that prejudice??

[TexKat]

From ABC NewsOnLine Saturday, November 29, 2003 7:17am (AEDT)

Hundreds protest against violence in Baghdad

A US soldier has been killed in a mortar attack on a base in northern Iraq as hundreds of Iraqis marched through the centre of Baghdad to protest against the violence plaguing the country's reconstruction.

After US President George W Bush told his troops during a lightning Thanksgiving visit to Baghdad that the coalition would prevail over insurgents, former US first lady Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton spent the day in the city.

In Europe, police also moved against the Iraqi insurgency, arresting three alleged militants suspected of recruiting insurgents for suicide attacks in the country.

Iraqi police and US forces closed off Baghdad's main commercial thoroughfare as hundreds marched through the city centre to demonstrate against terror amid persistent fears of attack by anti-US insurgents or Islamic militants.

Security services were taking no chances with a rally bound to be seen as pro-American by the insurgents and a heavy Iraqi police presence accompanied the marchers while two US military helicopters hovered ahead.

"This is the picture of the martyr Adnan - he is a martyr of terror," Hassan Rehemi said, holding aloft a photograph of his 20-year-old son, who died in a blast north of Baghdad last week.

In a speech, Aziz al-Yasser, the coordinator of the rally organisers, the Alliance of Iraqi Democratic Forces, called on ordinary people to help the US-led coalition in the fight against insurgents.

"We have to help the coalition - the call issued by some for the withdrawal of occupation forces is suspect, Iraq will drown in a lake of blood if they withdraw," he said, adding that the attacks were delaying the end of the US-led occupation.

The latest coalition casualty came when a US soldier from the 101st Airborne Division was killed when four mortar shells were fired at the division's base in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a US army spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Italian and German police arrested three North Africans as part of a massive anti-terror dragnet reportedly connected with terrorist attacks in Iraq.

The arrests followed a confirmation by prosecutors in Milan that they had issued arrest warrants for five suspected Al Qaeda activists, including an Algerian arrested in Germany and a woman nabbed at dawn in Padua.

They were wanted, among other things, on suspicion of having recruited suicide attackers for strikes in Iraq, police sources said.

The five included the Algerian whom German police said had been arrested in Hamburg at the request of the Italian prosecutors.

A police spokeswoman identified him as Mahjub Abderrazak, known as "the sheikh".

Italian prosecutors say the Milan-based cell, which had contacts throughout northern Italy, was trying to recruit suicide bombers for attacks in Iraq.

But two of the five for whom warrants were issued were still at large, including an Iraqi and a Tunisian, both 33.

-- AFP

[OXENinFLA]

Thanks!

[YepYep]

This very day, men women and children of Iraq are expressing their support of life, liberty and their own pursuit of happiness. It is terrible they are being killed for wanting liberty. This is one of the best protest marches I have ever seen. Yes, why was not the first one reported? This movement is definitely something to follow.

[TexKat]

You are welcome.

An Iraqi policeman guards the center of Baghdad as Iraqis demonstrate against terrorism and condemned Saddam Hussein at a rally in the center of the city, Friday, Nov. 28, 2003.

U.S. soldier killed in Mosul shelling

In Baghdad, hundreds of Iraqis demonstrated against terrorism and condemned Saddam Hussein at a rally on a downtown square. The protest occurred in Firdos Square, where a large bronze statue of Saddam was toppled by Iraqis and U.S. Marines on April 9 after the fall of Baghdad in the U.S.-led invasion.

The demonstration was organized by a handful of Iraqi political parties, none of which are members of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council.

Bush, who flew into Baghdad on Thursday evening to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with U.S. troops, also reserved a word for Iraqis.

"You have an opportunity to seize the moment and rebuild your great country, based on human dignity and freedom," Bush said. "We will stay until the job is done."

[TexKat]

Yes, why was not the first one reported?

See post #s 42 and 45 for info of the 1st Iraqi march against terrorism and pro coalition.

[austingirl]

Did they do a body count of Iraqis who died while Saddam was in power? Of course not, just since the US got there. Not too biased.

[Publius6961]

Hey!
What time will this be covered on CNNNBCCBSABC tonight??

[Mo1]

Did they do a body count of Iraqis who died while Saddam was in power?

Might want to askeg CNN that question .. they've admited to keeping their mouth shut so they could stay in Iraq

[kattracks]

The second part of this report will probably be broadcast during dinner hour, so no one will miss it,

The first part will never see the light of day.

[TexKat]

From Yahoo News Friday November 28, 11:24 PM :

Hundreds protest terror in Baghdad; US soldier killed in mortar attack

Hundreds protest terror in Baghdad; US soldier killed in mortar attack

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Yeah, they really suck for telling the bad news along with the good. I only want to hear that which supports my side.

[TexKat]

RC, I don't know if you have read or posted this before, but it is a good read and an appreciative Iraqi. Be sure and click on the Omar has more link.

Anti-Terror Demonstrations in Iraq

November 29, 2003

There were demonstrations against terror in Baghdad yesterday. I don't know if they moved the date forward from some reason or if there are going to be more of these in Iraq on December 10th (the date which was originally planned). Omar has more:

This the first time I march in a demo. No one forced me, and I remembered the old days when we were obliged- by the tyrant's orders- to march in huge crowds in faked demos. crying out with his name and our love for our beloved leader. His security men used to be surrounding us, watching the expression on our faces and how damn unlucky a man is if they notice that he was not doing the desired effort (shouting loudly). We used to consider the police men as our enemies and there was even a proverb that says:" a police man will never see heaven" Today, we consider them our defenders and our brothers. they're sacrificing their lives tacking the front position to face the terrorists, they will definitely get rid of the bad reputation they earned in the past and they will learn to treat us respectfully, we're their brothers and our enemy doesn't distinguish between a civilian and a police man. I've been there, and I came back stronger with a deeper belief that there are others who care for us, and next time, the participation will be wider. Our victory in this challenge is a victory for all the honest, good and free people on earth.

Yes it is.

Posted by Shawn at November 29, 2003 02:36 PM | TrackBack

[blackie]

The democrats are sad, very sad!

[pax_et_bonum]

Thank you for posting this.

When I saw this report on Fox News earlier it brought tears to my eyes. I remember rallying for Bush in 2000 without a thought of my own personal safety and, in a certain sense, "taking for granted" my freedom to do so.

These people have lived with more fear and horror than I can imagine, and seeing them expressing their free speech in support of us is one of the most touching things I've seen.

[pax_et_bonum]

Oops!

"their free speech" = "their right to free speech"

[TexKat]

Speaking of touching pax_et_bonum read post #54 and don't forget to click on the link that says Omar has more. It brought tears to my eyes.

[TexKat]

Yesterday's anti-terrorism demonstrations in Baghdad

Saturday, November 29, 2003

Local papers described the anti-terrorism demonstrations in Baghdad as being attended by several hundreds. The rallies were prepared and organized by political parties and tribal leaders which are not represented in the Governing Council such as the Iraqi Democratic Congregation (which includes several democratic parties), the Iraqi Democratic Current, the Iraqi Turkomen Front, and representatives and sheikhs from the Ka'ab, Al-Saada and other influential tribes in southern Iraq.

The demonstrations were held in Al-Tahrir square midtown Baghdad near the Freedom monument and the demonstrators marched on through Sa'doon street to the Fardus square in front of the Palestine and Sheraton hotels. Three symbolic coffins for the Iraqi police victims of bombings in Baghdad, Ba'quba, and Khan Bani Sa'ad were carried on cars ahead of the demonstrators representing a symbolic funeral for the victims of terrorism in Iraq. Protection was provided by IP, and various news reporters and jounalists covered the event according to the Azzaman Baghdad edition paper.

Sheikh Hashim Al-Yassiri of Al-Saada tribe from Karbala called upon neighbouring countries to secure their borders preventing infiltration of terrorists to Iraq from these countries, reminding them of the Iraqi people's position in the past in defending these countries.

Faruq Abdullah of the Iraqi Turkomen Front described the demonstrations as a strong message from the Iraqi people to terrorists attempting to undermine the new Iraq and a declaration of patriotic unity between different Iraqi factions against terrorism and violence.

Sheikh Rahi Musah Jabbar of the Bani Ka'ab tribe in the Basrah Governorate demanded that the Arab League accept its responsibilities in the reconstruction of Iraq and to assist Iraqis in their war against terrorism, emphasizing that Arabs and Muslims are being targetted here, so the Arab League should make a clear stand against this.

Aziz Al-Yassiri of the Iraqi Democratic Congregation said that the demonstrations will convey a message from Iraqis to the whole world explaining that the Iraqi people regardless of religious, sectarian, tribal, and political differences are unanimously against terrorism, specifically terrorist acts that will serve to obstruct the rebuilding of Iraq and its transition to democracy.

Anti-terrorism conference in Al-Amarah

Meanwhile at Al-Amarah city in the Maysan Governorate, several tribal leaders, political and islamic parties held a popular conference at the Arts Institute demanding firm action against perpetrators of terrorist acts in Iraq which they described as contradictory to the rules and teachings of Islam. The participators also decided on organizing several anti-terrorism demonstrations in the city, and future meetings to analyze and discuss the dangerous dimensions and negative effects of terrorism on the security of Iraq and its society.

[VaMarVet]

You are right - words have meaning - and I am more concerned about the words our government uses to describe our enemies than the western press right now.

The words of the terrorists; especially, al Qaeda and its cohorts in Iraq; proposes to impressionable and religiously motivated young Muslims - join the jihad (holy war) - become mujaheddin (holy warriors) and shuhada or shahiddin (martyrs - enter into paradise). That said, we need to label our enemies in terms that potential converts will understand and respect.

I quote Jim Guirard of Just Causes here on how we should label our enemy:

"Imagine how much more difficult it will be for al Qaeda and their ilk to inspire and to sustain the suicidal zealotry of young Muslims -- or the approval of any truly devout "mainstream" Muslims -- once they begin to view themselves as mufsidoon (evildoers) engaged in hirabah (unholy war) and in tajdeef (blasphemy) against Allah and, therefore, on their way to jahannam (eternal Hellfire), instead."

When we describe our enemy as, say, "Jihadists" we are only reinforcing the image our adversaries want to portray. Other English words just do not translate well and can be manipulated by our enemies. "One person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter" comes to mind.

Mufsidoon does it for me...