WASHINGTON, Jul. 10 (Peoples Dispatch) – On July 6 and 7, anti-war organizations and activists gathered by the hundreds in Washington, DC to protest the upcoming NATO Summit, to be held in the US capital from July 9 to 11. The actions were organized by the Resist NATO Coalition, which includes over 60 anti-war and human rights organizations. Protesters held a People’s Summit on July 6, and rallied and marched in opposition to the NATO Summit on July 7.
The 75th NATO Summit will be held this week, and the war in Ukraine continues to be a key topic, as well as NATO’s presence to the East of the alliance. “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine poses the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades, shattering peace in Europe and reinforcing the need for NATO to ensure that its deterrence and defense posture remains credible and effective,” writes NATO.
“NATO has increased its military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance as a direct result of Russia’s behavior, which reflects a pattern of aggressive actions against its neighbors and the wider transatlantic community,” writes the alliance, regarding how NATO is prioritizing the alliance’s presence in eastern parts of Europe.
Organizations which participated in the actions this weekend include the US Chapter of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS), the Palestinian Youth Movement, BAYAN-USA, Pan-African Community Action (PACA), the Resist US-Led War Movement, the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. This group of anti-war and anti-imperialist organizations denounced NATO for its leading role in spreading militarism, imperialism, and genocide across the globe, diverting billions to war while people in the US and around the world struggle for their survival.
Filipino diaspora organizers, such as those affiliated with BAYAN, used the platform of the People’s summit to denounce the US’s role in building an Asian NATO.
“They are trying to make Asian countries like the Philippines the next Ukraine,” BAYAN USA chairperson Andan Bonifacio said at a July 7 rally that was held as part of the People’s Summit. “In the Philippines, more than a dozen youth were recently killed by the fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines, who are backed by the US. These are youth who dedicated their lives to the cause of national democratic revolution, who, when faced with the convergence of NATO in Asia Pacific, including the Philippines, and the guns of the US military—they did not back down, and they pointed their guns back!…They gave up everything, so we must continue their struggle and never hesitate.”
At the July 7 rally, which gathered at McPherson Square, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement outlined that NATO is “the armed wing of US-led imperialism suppressing liberation movements, led by ‘Genocide Joe’ and ‘Bloody Blinken.’”
“NATO member countries have led genocide and wars not only against Palestine, but Syria, Iraq, and Libya. Steadfastness is what drives Palestinians in Gaza against the genocide by Israel, and all people in the world around NATO,” PYM articulated.
