A.N.S.W.E.R. Volunteer Interview

The following is from an interview of "John," who calls himself a "Human-rights Activist," and who was present at Saturday's A.N.S.W.E.R. rally in Washington D.C. John stressed repeatedly that he does not "speak for International A.N.S.W.E.R. directly, or indirectly."

by John S. Pappas

10/27/03

"The Iraqi occupation is a continuation of brutal abuse by America who seek to set up a government in Iraq in order to occupy Iraq." These are the words of John, a "human-rights activist" who has voluteered for the group International A.N.S.W.E.R. since it was founded, and who was present at Saturday's A.N.S.W.E.R. rally in Washington D.C. "America has a long history of injustice," he says, speaking of U.S. Government policy both abroad and domestically, "the slave paradigm is alive and well (here)."

John is answering the question of why he, and thousands of others who protested Saturday, oppose the U.S. Policy in Iraq. "George Bush lied about the imminent threat when he said Saddam Hussien could launch a nuclear attack within 45 minutes," he says. "I saw many people Saturday opposed to this war," he says, "I spoke with one man who served over there in the military who recently came back, and he said that in the five months he was there, it was all downhill. He said that anger of the Iraqi people was up against the Americans and that if you look at key areas; security and electricity, both of those were getting worse not better."

When asked about reports of increased electricity John asserts they are inaccuracies advanced by the U.S. Government. When asked if war if ever just, he replies that only when one nation is attacked by another, should war be considered. What about the recent action in Afghanistan? "The Afghani people were not responsible for 9-11," he says. Who was? "What difference does it make? There are so many unknowns." Was the war against Japan by the U.S. a just war? "Yes, as much as one imperial power defeating another imperial power can be considered just."

John does not say when asked directly if he is a communist; "what does that word mean?" he asks. He does speak to the wealthy corporations and upper-class as exploiting the working of this country and says (Carl) Marx had some great ideas, that he was right about a lot of things. He describes America as an oligarchy and plutocracy.

When asked about his experience at Saturday's rally, he describes it as a complete success. He says turnout exceeded expectations and that what he witnessed was very positive. He says the police were very professional and presented no problems for the protesters.

When asked about reports that there were clashes between protesters and counter-protesters he says he did not witness any. When asked about reports of rough treatment of counter-protesters by A.N.S.W.E.R. volunteers (described by Johnny P News as security personnel) he says; "Yes, that would be the security people, they have those yellow vests. That would be a very unfortunate incident if it occurred." He says that A.N.S.W.E.R. does not condone this behavior that he has ever been made aware of. "It is possible that one of the A.N.S.W.E.R. security people did this, but it could also be someone who infiltrated the A.N.S.W.E.R. security people in order to discredit A.N.S.W.E.R.."

John says "this is precisely the type of thing that A.N.S.W.E.R. would want to avoid. Again, I do not speak for A.N.S.W.E.R., but they have always tried to create an atmosphere where families can attend and feel safe."

Johnny P News called International A.N.S.W.E.R. to request comment on a previous story (Protest Security Personnel/Counter-Protesters Clash in Washington, updated 10/27/03) but has received no response.

Comments: editor@johnnypnews.com