U.S. Troops Raid IFC Head Office in Baghdad (Kathlyn Stone)

[Tace]

(This is DU's own Katinmin)

Kathlyn Stone -- World News Trust

The Baghdad headquarters of the Iraq Freedom Congress were raided by U.S. troops last week, according to IFC member Amjad Al-Jawhary.

The IFC, a nonviolent secular resistance movement, condemned the attacks Sept. 7-8, and pledged to continue its peaceful struggle to end the occupation.

The raid came after a series of civil activities against the occupation. (see Iraqis Plan Nationwide Walkout September 24). IFC leaders said U.S. forces were outraged by the anti-occupation banners and posters on the walls showing international solidarity with Iraqi people. They reacted violently and broke all internal doors, destroyed furniture, and confiscated most of the office property, IFC leaders said Friday.

more

http://www.worldnewstrust.com/content/view/111/lang,en/

[sutz12]

1. Ah, yes....another blow for freedom of speech...

:sarcasm:

[papau]

2. Iraq Freedom Congress was not known to me prior to the World News Trust

report by DUer Katinmin. They seem spot on as to their goals - so of course we raid them

:-(


Aims of the Iraq Freedom Congress

End the occupation of Iraq -- the US forces must leave Iraq immediately
End the interference of the Islamic currents from people's lives
Guarantee the right of the Iraqi people to make an informed and free decision on the future of the political system
Restore civil life to Iraq

Structure
The organizational structure of IFC is based on mass, popular networks and achievement of local control in the neighborhoods and districts. Wherever the balance of power is favorable, “People’s Houses” are formed. “People’s Houses” are grassroot lcentersntres which unite the lneighborhoodrhood. “People’s Houses” are where local people organize, decide and exercise their sovereignty. IFC offices are all elected except for the initial start up period or where elections can not be held due to security considerations. In such circumstances, the upper tier offices will appoint relevant officers. Local Organizations are headed by a city or district committees. There is an annual general conference of delegates who come together to make decisions and elect members to a Central Council. Members of the Central Council serve two year terms.


Members of the Iraqi Freedom Congress:
Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq
Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq
Movement for Democratic Socialism (Japan)

Official IFC Website (http://www.ifcongress.com/)
National Organization for the Iraqi Freedom Struggles (http://no-ifs.org/index.html)] (IFC Solidarity GroupOfficial
Offical Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq website (http://equalityiniraq.com)
Houzan Mahmoud Blog (http://houzanmahmoud.blogspot.com/)
Houzan Mahmoud Interview (http://www.ww4report.com/node/1798)

[Tace]

4. Hey papau!

How you been? We're getting the new site up and running. Come on over and register. Chrs, Tace

[papau]

7. Will do - by the way I like the new look! n/t

n/t

[Tace]

11. Tandalayo_Scheisskopf Deserves At Least Half The Credit For The New Site

We've been teaming up to get this going.

[katinmn]

5. Thanks papau. IFC is only about a year old.

I think it's a fascinating group so I've been writing about them for a while now. One labor activist here said there is a US news blackout of IFC because it would give people a choice between occupation and a sectarian takeover.
The missing peice?

International Labor Leaders Predict More Iraq Labor Strikes
http://www.worldnewstrust.com/content/view/36/lang,en/

Labor and peace activists should unite in support of the courageous Iraq southern oil workers strike
http://electroniciraq.net/news/2438.shtml

Iraq Freedom Congress Rejects Violence of Occupation and Insurgency
http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_kathlyn__060703_iraq_freedom_congres.htm

[AlamoDemoc]

3. We would never raid Shia bases, or offices, or the interior ministry

...yet we have full knowledge of where the sunni political parties are hiding!

on edit: :sarcasm:

[Mr_Spock]

6. Another idiotic overreaction that will come back to bite them

Oh, and they'll blame the protesters because these morons can't take responsibility for ANYTHING!

[teryang]

8. "hypocrisy about...freedom and democracy"

“These kinds of acts reveal the true face of the occupation and its hypocrisy about the freedom and democracy they brought to the Iraqi people,” said IFC in a written statement.

The IFC said the U.S. occupation and the U.S.-backed government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have “failed miserably to bring security and basic civil services to Iraq.” It also blames the U.S. occupation for unleashing the widespread violence perpetrated by sectarian militias and for “turning a blind eye to the daily killing of civilians in broad daylight.”

[lonestarnot]

9. Oh so bushitler really doesn't want democracy. Another lie for more

serial killer attacks. That fuckface!

[katinmn]

10. Let's see. WMD? No. Ties to Al Queada? No.

Bring freedom and democracy to Iraq?
Um. No.

So why are we there again?
I forget.

[lonestarnot]

12. Trophy hunt?