It is sad that we are here again – saying no to this endless “war of terror” that the US has waged since September 11, 2001.  At the same time it is inspiring to me that so many of you have been protesting with me the whole twelve years and that others of you are new to our movement for peace and justice! Thanks for everyone for coming out today.

     This anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on what the US has done to the people’s of the world – and Afghanistan in particular – as apart of this “war of terror” and to examine what lessons we have learned as the anti-war movement.

Since 2001, the US has lost 2,280 soldiers in Afghanistan.  Thousands of US families have been hurt and destroyed by the loss of their family members and by the injuries this war has caused their loved ones.  In Afghanistan tens of thousands of family members have lost fathers, mothers, children due to the US warfare and occupation.

     The US has destroyed a significant portion of the infrastructure of Afghanistan and despite twelve years of war and occupation continues to lead an incredibly unstable mess.  The UN reported this year that civilian casualties have increased 16 percent this year.  In two different UN reports this year they documented that the increase in fighting this year has overly affected women and children – there has been a 30 percent increase in injuries and deaths of children and a 60 percent jump in deaths and injuries among women.

     In the Twin Cities we have always seen the connections between money for war and the cuts to benefits and social services at home.

     In March US News and World Report explained that we have barely begun to pay for this war.  The US has already spent 2 trillion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and that with all the veterans from these wars we have 2 to 4 trillion dollars more to pay in the decades to come!

     Despite this enormous price tag – both in blood and in dollars – the president has said he is considering another war – this time against Syria.  But the peace movement has stopped this war for now.  Public opinion polling data has overwhelmingly shown that the American people are war wise.  We are not interested in more war or occupation.  We are not interested in destroying another country.  We are not willing to listen to more lies and justifications to lead us down another path towards war.

     In Afghanistan the US has moved from warfare that is dependent on US troops controlling large sections of territory to drone strikes against alleged militants.  The Guardian reported in July of this year that the US military’s own study shows that drones are ten times more likely to kill civilians than manned aircrafts in Afghanistan yet the US dependence on drones keeps increasing.  The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported that an average of 4.8 children are killed per day in Afghanistan.

     While the nation has been discussing the federal government shutdown you might have wondered if there was a silver lining to this and hoped that the shutdown would have grounded the drones. But no, the New York Times reported this week that the Pentagon has enough staff to keep using the drones.  The operators of Reaper and Predator drones are “essential”.

     President Obama keeps promising to the American people that the war in Afghanistan is winding down.  In reality though more troops from MN are going and most recently he has committed to keeping thousands of US troops there.  Similarly the US is currently negotiating with Afghanistan an agreement that would continue a strong US presence but also gives them immunity for their war crimes – including for drone attacks and night raids.  Does that sound like an end to the US war in Afghanistan?  NO.

     It is important that we not forget the people of Afghanistan and we continue to demand real peace with no US troops and no drones in Afghanistan.  We encourage you to go to the upcoming events with Malalai Joya so you can hear firsthand about the realities of US warfare from this important leader in Afghanistan.

      Lastly, I want to invite people today to join the end of the immigrant rights protest today.  Our sisters and brothers in the immigrant rights movement are fighting to demand dignity and respect and for the just cause of ending deportations.  They know from first hand experience that many people come to the US because the US’ economic and military policies have destroyed their home countries.  It is important that we see the connections between our issues.  The immigrant rights march is ending today at the Hennepin County Government Center.  We invite you to take the light rail there and to join the rally and protest for immigrant rights.