SDS Takes Center Stage on the 5th Anniversary of the War in Iraq!

From March 17-21, 2008, Students for a Democratic Society led over 90 student actions across the country to mark the 5th Anniversary of the U.S. Invasion of Iraq! (See newsds.org/march20 for more details of the nationwide SDS actions)

One of the most exciting actions was in Washington DC. DC-SDS’ “Funk the War 3” dance party brought together 500+ youth and students to shut down K Street, where War Profiteers like Lockheed Martin and Bechtel are headquartered.

Those companies were shut down by the mobile antiwar dance party, which also hit up the Armed Forces Recruiting Center and spread the love there.

The action culminated in an SDS-organized blockade of Connecticut and K Sts., where 11 students chained themselves to school desks and demanded money for education, not for war. The intersection was held for over an hour by 200+ youth, despite pouring rain, until it was apparent that police were not willing or able to break up the blockade, and the students declared victory!

The SDS action was the largest and most energetic event of United for Peace and Justice’s “5 Years Too Many” events in DC on March 19th. The week of action brought major media attention to SDS, including 3 days straight of “The Return of Students for a Democratic Society” headlining the front page of MichaelMoore.com, an awesome article in The Nation, and a feature in the New York Times. It seems that SDS has gained a new prominence in the antiwar movement and is taking off right now!

See below for articles, video, audio and images from the 5th Anniversary Actions.

Articles:

The Nation – Funk the War

DC Indymedia Coverage of Funk the War

Video:

Youtube – The best protest I’ve ever been to.

Portland, OR – High Schoolers Take Over City Hall, Demand Meeting with Mayor and Get It

The Real News – Civil Disobedience Against the War in DC

Youtube – DC Funk the War 3

ATN Press – Antiwar Movement hits Washington DC

NBC – Protesters Mark War’s 5th Anniversary in DC

WUSA9 – DC Coverage