arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

STUDENT STRIKE FOR BOOKS NOT BOMBS!

ONE-DAY NATIONAL STUDENT STRIKE, MARCH 5TH, 2003

Books Not Bombs!  Stop The War Against Iraq!

The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC) calls upon students on campuses across the United States to join us in a one-day student strike on March 5th, 2003.  See < http://www.nyspc.net <http://www.nyspc.net/>> for details.

As students and youth, our futures will be shaped by the actions that the Bush administration takes today.  A US attack on Iraq will inevitably:

- Endanger the lives of US servicemen and women
- Increase the suffering and misery of the Iraqi people while slaughtering thousands of innocent people
- Encourage terror attacks against the US around the world and at home,
- Be used as an excuse to erode civil liberties
- Divert resources from education and social services
- Subvert historical precedent and international law

As students and youth, the future of this country, we are disturbed by the lack of attention paid to the real needs of Americans, especially education.  Financial aid opportunities and family income are rapidly losing ground to the rising cost of higher education. *1  Low-income
families are facing decreasing access to education.  Student debt is increasing. *2  All while the US military budget steadily increases (12% from 2000 to 2002 *3).

We say NO! to this war of terror to increase American power and take control of strategic oil supplies.

JOIN US IN A STUDENT STRIKE MARCH 5TH TO DEMAND:

US Government:
- End the drive for military action and sanctions that target the people of Iraq
- Fund education to ensure that everyone in the US has access to higher education
- Re-allocate military funds to eliminating poverty and building peace and home and abroad

Campus Administrators:
- Declare opposition to the war
- Disclose and eliminate military research contracts
- Freeze or lower tuition and fees
- Transfer money for JROTC to college preparation and counseling and from and ROTC to financial aid

The Bush Administration's war on Iraq is a venture for control of the region and its oil supplies, not national security, democracy, or human rights.  Our campuses provide implicit support for this through military research, recruiting, and ROTC programs.  As students who value freedom, democracy, and our education we say: THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE!  The best way to improve our national security is to halt drives for illegal and immoral wars and redirect public funds from the military and arms trade to education and social services at home and humanitarian aid abroad.
Take a stand with students across the nation on March 5th to build toward this collective vision.

*Sources:
1. College Board (as reported in the Michael A. Fletcher, Washington
Post, Dec. 10, 2001, Page A01)
2. Sherschel, Particia M.  USA Group Report.  June, 2000.  See: < http://www.luminafoundation.org/Publications/research.shtml <http://www.luminafoundation.org/Publications/research.shtml>>
3. Deen, Thalif.  "U.N. says Nations Reveal Arms Spending - but Spend More."  Inter Press Service.  Oct. 7, 2002

*As of Jan. 1st, 2003, this campaign is heating up!  We need your help! In addition to organizing on your own campus, the campaign needs your help with outreach, resource development, and fundraising.  See < http://www.nyspc.net <http://www.nyspc.net/>> for details as they become available!

*NYSPC is a coalition made up of the following national organizations: 180/Movement for Democracy and Education, Black Radical Congress-Youth Division, Campus Greens, Muslim Students Association of the US and Canada, National Youth Advocacy Coalition, "Not With Our Money" (project
of the Prison Moratorium Project), Student Environmental Action Coalition, Student Peace Action Network, Students United for a Responsible Global Environment, Students Transforming and Resisting Corporations, United Students Against Sweatshops, United States Student Association, Young Communist League, Young Democratic Socialists, Young
People's Socialists League.