Anti-war protests across Asia

BY
IGGY KIM

& EVA CHENG

As in the rest of the world, there were anti-war protests across
Asia on February 14-16. The largest protest was in Tokyo, with 25,000 people
marching on February 14.

In Thailand, 15,000 protested in two cities on February 15. In the southern
city of Pattani, 10,000 people from the predominantly Muslim southern provinces
converged. They urged a boycott of US and Israeli goods.

In Bangkok, 5000 marched to the US embassy. The protest was organised
by the United Coalition for Peace, which includes labour, religious, women's,
academic and student groups. After presenting the US embassy a statement
opposing the war on Iraq, the marchers proceeded to the British embassy,
where they set alight a mock missile.

The Philippines anti-war movement held its protests on February 14 in
Manila. Women's groups started the day with actions to turn Valentine's
Day into a “Make love not war” peace day against the US-led war on Iraq.
The Philippines government's slavish pro-US stance was condemned. A march
of women unionists was attacked by a pro-US, pro-war group outside the
US embassy. Police just looked on.

Later, 6000 people marched to the US embassy. While the main theme of
the rally was “No to war against Iraq”, there were several speakers and
chants condemning the Philippines government's war against the Moro people
in Mindanao. The government has relaunched its war offensive, with a major
escalation against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces. At least 51,000
people have been “displaced” as a result of the latest government offensive.

March 8 has been declared a day of anti-war protests by Philippines
women's organisations.

In South Korea, the No War Peace Action coalition organised a 5000-strong
demonstration in Seoul. There were protests in five other cities.

In Hong Kong, more than 1000 people marched from the city centre to
the US and British consulates on February 15 to protest against the impending
US-led war on Iraq.

In Taiwan, 500 protesters gathered outside the offices of the American
Institute in Taipei on February 15. The protest attracted labour movement
activists and a diverse number of foreign residents. In Malaysia, 3000
demonstrated outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

India's Committee Against War organised a demonstration outside the
American Center in Delhi on February 10, which was attended by thousands.
The CAWI is made up of a number of progressive parties and mass organisations,
including the three major communist parties, the All India Students' Association,
the All India Progressive Women's Association and the All India Central
Council of Trade Unions and many others.

On February 15, 10,000 protested in Calcutta. They held placards reading
“No blood for oil” and waved red banners as they marched to the American
Center office. In Srinagar, Kashmir, 2000 demonstrators shouted: “George
Bush: hands off Iraq!”

In Pakistan, 2000 people protested in Lahore on February 15, There were
protests in 20 cities. In Dili, East Timor, 150 marched, while a similar
number protested in Jakarta.

From Green Left Weekly, February 26, 2003.

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From GLW issue 527