Movement Building In Portland - CM, Funk the War, and Walkout!

Recent stats show that over 5 million Iraqi's are displaced now
(which is equivalent to the population of "all of Oregon")

3 million refugees in Syria (and they are now being told to "move on")

2.2 million in Iraq

1 million in Jordon

In many cases, the universities that students attend are very much part of the war machine, often doing weapons research and testing, administering weapons labs, and selling students into years of perilous military service.

Beyond that, most universities are preparing, preening, and educating you for your entry into the middle-class world (albeit the very bottom starting with your first post-degree McJob). This work -- something we consider the unquestioned and unavoidable dues of our citizenship -- is very much the problem. Capitalism, in general, and this economy, in particular, is destroying what's good and beautiful on this planet for the sake of a lousy buck, as well as tearing apart the fabric of our relationships with each other and the Earth.

Your walkout is more than just a symbolic action, but DIRECT ACTION in halting for at least one day the damage that these institutions do to your planet and your minds.

We'll be there supporting the walkout, youth liberation, and people taking greater control of their lives.

Walk Out Against the War!

This is the Portland Chapter of the walkout which will be occurring nationally.

Walk out of your school at 11:00am. Bring a whistle or other noise maker if you can.

Food and Drinks will be served starting at 11am, in the North Park Blocks at the elephant. At 1:00pm there will be a rally and march. Spread the word: protest the war and make peace!

March 20th is the 5th anniversary of the United State's invasion of Iraq.

What we want to focus on:
Responsibility, Empowerment, Action
We advocate for an end to all imperialism, abroad and at home.
We advocate for Youth Power (Power is the ability to enact change).

Why we want to make change:
In the past five years there have been 25,236-27,536 US and allied casualties (severely wounded or dead). About 4,000 of these were fatalities. Iraqi civilian deaths are estimated at 1,033,000 with a given range of 946,000 to 1,120,000.

As students, Americans, and consumers, we are part of the war machine. The cost of war effects the quality of our education and our lives. We have the responsibility to speak out and the right to voice our opinions.

The war in Iraq is fought by young people. Minorities and low-income youth are enlisted disproportionately.

The walk-out on March 20th is both a symbolic and direct action that we use to convey our lack of support of the ongoing war in Iraq. By leaving class at 11:00am on Thursday, March 20th, we show that we will not blindly comply with a government that does not represent our best interests. The statement we are making is that it is not okay to ignorantly go about our daily routine with no consideration for the horrific actions that are going on overseas, endorsed by our own government. We ask that everyone consider leaving school and taking half a day to reflect and make a stand against violence. Hopefully our schools will respect our decision to leave the classroom environment for this purpose.

Silence gives consent: say NO to the war.