[act-ma] 5/07 Anti-war Rally this Saturday

[Charlie Welch]

ell Congress:  NO on new $33 billion for Ukraine war
Rally Saturday May 7

*Boston - Park Street - 1pm*
*Fall River - Government Center - 1pm*
*Greenfield - Common - 11am*


*Providence - Friday May 6, 4pm, State House south lawn*

*Boston Event links at bottom*
*Tell Congress: Negotiations, Not Arms Shipments!*
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/44934644/343767291/-258360907?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9QRUFDVC9QRUFDVC8xLzcyNTAxIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImUwNWIzMGViLTZhY2MtZWMxMS05OTdlLTI4MTg3OGI4M2Q4YSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAibWlrZWhlaWNobWFuQHZlcml6b24ubmV0Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=B2SsprCuMruhVj8zjIsByPqTqPf3I7FX9mPMHUfmUpo=&emci=1d2d1f21-aecb-ec11-997e-281878b83d8a&emdi=e05b30eb-6acc-ec11-997e-281878b83d8a&ceid=63595>
*No to $33 billion for the Ukraine war!  *
*Fund Healthcare, Not Warfare!*


We call for the withdrawal of Russian troops and an immediate ceasefire.
NATO should commit not to expand and Ukraine should be recognized as a
neutral country.  The US and NATO must negotiate with Russia and support
Ukraine in finding a compromise.


While Ukraine has the right to defend itself, the US is not a party to this
conflict and should not send arms to Ukraine. Congress should reject
President Biden’s request for $20 billion in new arms, part of a $33
billion Ukraine package he has requested.  Flooding Ukraine with arms will
prolong the war and the suffering of the Ukrainian people; some of the arms
will find their war to Ukrainian far right groups.


Congress rejected the Build Back Better plan which would have taken steps
to combat climate change and address inequality at home. Where are our
priorities?


Measures should be taken to prevent escalation of the conflict, and at all
costs, to prevent the use of nuclear weapons. Sanctions on Russia should be
lifted as part of a compromise. Devastating economic sanctions are
affecting poor people around the world (and contributing to inflation in
the U.S.), not the elite who started the war.


U.S. leaders are escalating their rhetoric. President Biden said that “this
man [Putin] cannot remain in power”. Secretary of Defense Austin said that
the U.S. no longer seeks only to defend Ukraine but also to profoundly
weaken Russia. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the U.S. stands with Ukraine
until “victory”, without explaining what victory would mean. The new U.S.
war aims are profoundly threatening to Russia and make a negotiated
settlement of the conflict much more difficult.


This increases the danger of nuclear war. Ukraine is a U.S. proxy war
against Russia, and the U.S. must negotiate with Russia to end it.  The
outlines of a settlement have been well known since the start of the
conflict. Secretary of State Blinken should urgently meet with Russian
foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.


Stop hatred against the Russian people, such as banning of Russian and
Belorussian athletes from the Boston Marathon and ongoing attacks on
Russian stores. End censorship campaigns such as labeling those who oppose
U.S. involvement as Russian agents.


Boston rally sponsored by MAPA, People's Party of Massachusetts, Boston
Mayday Coalition, and United Against War and Militarism.
Massachusetts-based groups are invited to cosponsor; contact MAPA at
info at masspeaceaction.org or 617-354-2169.

Here are our Boston postings.
https://masspeaceaction.org/event/protest-for-peace-in-ukraine-may7/ and
https://www.peaceinukraine.org/masspeaceaction/boston_-_protest_for_peace_in_ukraine
https://masspeaceaction.org/event/protest-for-peace-in-ukraine-no-nato-expansion-jun25/