Action Program Adopted by the United National Conference

Action Program Adopted by the National Conference to Bring the Troops Home Now!

Albany, New York, July 23-25, 2010

Part 1:  Preface

Given the escalation of the war in Afghanistan since the election of President Obama, the challenges facing the antiwar movement are greater now than ever.

To end the U.S. wars and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and re-orient the nation’s priorities from empire building to solving the pressing needs at home, we need to join and support the rising mass social movements embracing the broadest popular sectors of society – which should be independent of, but welcome support from, all political parties as well as those outside any party.  A winning antiwar movement must be integrally linked to the struggles for jobs, education, housing, health care, civil rights and liberties, social justice, labor’s rights, immigration rights, the rights of youth and children, environmental protection, gender rights, gay rights, and fundamental human rights.  It must join those groups focused on those issues as well as the traditional peace movement.

History has demonstrated time and again that the combination of these qualities coupled with an inclusive, collaborative and representative leadership can change the course of history.

 This was the case with the massive social movements that were constructed to end the Vietnam War, win formal civil rights for excluded races and peoples, advance the cause of women’s equality, and challenge the prejudice and discrimination against LGBT people. It was the same unity in action that brought into being a massive trade union movement that challenged the previously dominant forces of the corporate elite and wrested unprecedented victories in the quality of life and culture for working people

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 The main demands:

Our love of humanity, opposition to expanding wars and occupations unleashed by the Pentagon, and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, including the right of self-determination for all peoples, require that we demand of the U.S. government:

•  The allocation of the trillions spent on wars and corporate bailouts be directed to funding massive programs for jobs at union wages, education, a single-payer universal health care system, child care, housing and preserving the environment. Compensation to be paid to the peoples whose countries the U.S. attacked and occupied for the loss of lives and massive destruction they suffered.
• The immediate, total and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. troops, mercenaries and contractors from Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, and the immediate closing of all U.S. bases in those countries. Bring all the Troops and War Dollars Home Now!
• Reverse and end all foreclosures. Stop the government attacks on trade unions, civil and democratic rights, and immigrant communities. 
• End U.S. aid to Israel – military, economic, and diplomatic.  End U.S. support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the blockade of Gaza.