As part of a nationwide day of protests, backed by dozens of U.S. antiwar, youth, women’s, religious, libertarian, progressive, and other groups, activists in over 10 cities around the country are gathering in protest of U.S. complicity in the Yemen war. They called on the lawmaker to introduce, or publicly call for, a Yemen War Powers Resolution to end unconstitutional U.S. participation in the ongoing Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen. March 26th marks the eighth anniversary of the Saudi-U.S.bombing and blockade of Yemen.
Since March 2015, the Saudi/UAE-led bombing and blockade of Yemen have killed tens of thousands of people and wreaked havoc on the country. 17 million people in Yemen are food insecure, and 500,000 children are on the verge of starving to death. This humanitarian crisis has worsened since President Biden took office. Despite his February 2021 commitment to end participation in Saudi offensive operations in Yemen, the U.S. continues to enable the Saudis by servicing their fighter jets and providing military and diplomatic support for the Saudi/UAE-led coalition. Congress can end this war, and we are rallying to demand they do so.
It’s time for the people of the United States to stand with the Yemeni people. The UN estimates that 17 million Yemenis are headed for starvation because of the war in Yemen. For too long, the U.S. government has offered weapons and logistical support that allows the Saudi-led coalition to conduct the war. Without that support, the bombings would end. Sadly, our country is a major player in this tragedy, and we are here to call for an end to U.S. complicity in and support for this war. This war has gone on for eight years. Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives. It is long past time to end U.S. support for the war on Yemen, and Congress must act.
California
Related event:
March 4th, 2023
San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley
More information to come
Contact email: neda@actioncorps.org
Maryland
Reps. Sarbanes, Ruppersberge, Mfume’s offices
1010 Park Avenue
Baltimore, MD
10 AM
Contact Email: jlathey@comcast.net
Massachusetts
Rep. Auchincloss office
29 Crafts St.
Newton, MA
12 PM
Contact email: brian@masspeaceaction
Rep. Lynch’s office
1245 Hancock St.
Quincy, MA
12 PM
Contact email: brian@masspeaceaction
Michigan
UM Diag
913 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
Ann Arbor, MI
1PM
Contact email: odilehh123@icloud.com
Minnesota
Postponed → Next Week
The Lake Street/Marshall Bridge between Minneapolis and St. Paul
West River Parkway
Minneapolis, MN
4:30 PM
Contact email: kkokett@hotmail.com
New York
Rep. Jeffries’ Central Brooklyn District Office
55 Hanson Place, Suite 603
Brooklyn, NY
5 PM
Contact email: juliavmeltzer@gmail.com
District Rep. Andrew Garbarino
31 Oak Street
Patchogue, NY
4 PM – 5:30 PM
Contact email: southcountrypeace@outlook.com
Related Event:
Saturday March 4th
The Yemen Solidarity Protest and Vigil
Bidwell Park
Bidwell & Elmwood
Buffalo, NY
Pennsylvania
Senator Casey’s Office and then the State Department
1335 West Porter St 3rd FL
Philadelphia, PA
5 PM
Contact email: peacehome.campaigns@gmail.com
Rhode Island
Senator Reed’s office
One Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI
4:30 PM
Contact email: mmehta@standnow.org
Vermont
Brattleboro Post Office
204 Main St.
Brattleboro, VT
12 – 1 PM
Contact email: mdmpastels@yahoo.com
Washington
Congressman Adam Smith’s District Office
15 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA
11:00 AM
Contact email(s): mirahwood@gmail.com
Photos from last year’s March 1st Day of Action: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16xHfyFQdADfhbwdRsZodh75_IPk4IEdv
Responsible Statecraft has a nice write up today about the war and the Saudi blockade:
One of the most harmful effects of the Saudi blockade was a fuel shortage that forced hospitals to shut off generators and ventilators, exacerbating what has often been described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Since the truce, the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) has started to clear more fuel shipments to enter Yemen. Yet Sheline writes in a recent report for the Quincy Institute that “the fuel currently permitted remains inadequate for economic activity to resume.”
Further, almost no general cargo outside of fuel and food have been imported through the port in Hodeidah since 2016. “This has crippled the economy and prevented critical life saving medicine and medical equipment from reaching millions of Yemenis in need,” Hassan El-Tayyab, the Legislative Director for Middle East Policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, told RS. The truce allowed flights to resume out of the Sana’a International Airport, but flights remain limited to a few per week, with one flight to date going to Cairo, and the rest to Amman. These flights remain inaccessible for the majority of Yemenis. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/03/01/yemen-is-still-confronting-a-humanitarian-crisis/
Without an honest appraisal of US interesrlts in this war — no protests will make a dent. Why is US there? Are Saudis enforcing the blocade, or US Navy?
Is US really there to support Saudis? This is absurd. US and Saudi interests clash in the South Yemen region. It can be seen every day. US drone strikes actually target pro-Saudi “government” in the South. Recently ine in Maarib, The ridiculous AQAP, a wholy invented “outfit” is a convenient explanation for targetted assasinations.
All right – what is US role and military resources in the area. Who are they fighing? Why?
Unless we know the REAL interests involved in us being there — all actions will be futile,
Saudis and North Yemen (Houthis) already have a ceasefire lasting over half a year, There arr flights out of Sana’a airport,
UN presence in Hodeidah is a problem not a solution. All UN bodies as a rule are neatly stacked with NATO country chosen functionaries using agency to blackmail locals into political concessions, If not, no access to critical goods, Say, why is Hodeidah blocked when Houthis and Saudis clearly have an understanding and lasting cease fire? Let’s sort out who wants what,
No pressure in Congress will work if US has interests in orolinging the war.