WTF? Why wasn’t THIS on CNN?
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STATEMENT FROM PROTEST ORGANIZERS

Hundreds Protest Attack on Fallujah and U.S. Militarism. A.N.S.W.E.R. Demo Draws Activists and Military Tanks

Hundreds of protestors converged on the Federal building in Westwood last night to demonstrate against the U.S. attack on Fallujah. Colorful signs, banners and placards lined the busy streets while the crowd militantly chanted “George Bush, we say no - the occupation has got to go!” and “The people of Fallujah are under attack. What do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition initiated last night’s emergency demonstration. It was one of many coordinated actions that took place in cities across the nation protesting the new U.S. invasion of Fallujah. Activists and leaders from various progressive organizations attended, including members of Free Palestine Alliance, CAIR, Coalition for World Peace, Women in Black, U.S. Labor Against War, NION, ADC-LA/OC and more.

As the demonstration was winding up, two large U.S. military tanks drove past the protestors on Wilshire Boulevard two times. The second time, the tanks stopped directly in front of a group of about 50 protestors for nearly five minutes. Police attempted to provoke a confrontation with the crowd, but the people resisted. Instead, they chanted “Bring the Troops Home Now!”

We do not know where the tanks came from, where they were going or why they drove past the demonstration. It is an outrage to see military tanks rolling through the streets of Los Angeles.

If the tanks were meant to intimidate us, they failed. The resolve of the protestors to fight against the occupation was strengthened by their presence. The protestors stuck together and chanted loudly until the tanks sped away and the police dispersed.

The presence of military tanks on Wilshire highlights the need to step up the fight against U.S. militarism. The U.S. is the most highly militarized nation on the planet with a defense budget of over $700 billion. We must increase the struggle against war, occupation, racism and all forms of bigotry in the U.S and abroad.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition has unveiled an action plan to deepen the struggle and further unite the antiwar movement so that it grows even stronger in the months to come. Please join us in building these exciting upcoming events in Los Angeles:

PROTEST VIGIL TO BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
Sat, Dec 18, 7 pm
Hollywood & Highland (NW corner)

COUNTER-INAUGURAL DEMONSTRATION
Thurs, Jan 20, 2005, 6 pm
Westwood Federal Building (Wilshire & Veteran)

MASS MARCH AND RALLY - GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION
Sat, March 19, 2005, 12 noon
Location TBA
Los Angeles

From Indymedia:

LOS ANGELES, November 9, 2004 - At 7:50 PM two armored tanks showed up at an anti-war protest in front of the federal building in Westwood. The tanks circled the block twice, the second time parking themselves in the street and directly in front of the area where most of the protesters were gathered. Enraged, some of the people attempted to block the tanks, but police quickly cleared the street. The people continued to protest the presence of the tanks, but about ten minutes the tanks drove off. It is unclear as to why the tanks were deployed to this location.