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Actions against the US Missile Shield in Poland
Akai47, Pon, 2007-10-15 05:57 English
On Oct.13-15, a series of actions were held against the building of a US military base housing elements of the Anti-Missile Defense System in northern Poland.
The US has been negotiating to build a base housing long-range ABMs in Redzikowo near the Baltic Sea. US government literature supporting the plans focuses on defensive capability against Iranian missile attacks. Radars are to be built in the Czech Republic.
A majority of Poles are against the location of the missile shield in Poland, as are several political parties.
Fears about the consequences of complicity with US military operations has recently increased in Poland following some attacks on Polish military and diplomatic personnel in Iraq. Those claiming responsibility for the acts say that they are in response to torture which members of the Polish military have been involved in and that Poland will suffer retribution like in England. While the average person may fear the consequences of having American ABMs in Poland, many in the government seem just as enthusiastic of the American wars in the Middle East as the Americans and are also eager to appear more threatening to the Russians. The current government is vehemently anti-Russian and tries to project a strong-man presence in Europe.
Despite the fact that the majority of people may be against the shield, few people in Poland take part in protest actions. But many tens of thousands have signed petitions against the shield or demanding a referendum on the issue.
Over the weekend, anarchists from the Anarchist Federation, from La Lucza collective, CKLA, Food Not Bombs and other organizations organized protests actions in a few cities. In Warsaw there was an anti-militarist street theatre followed by a Stop War demonstration. In Torun there was a picket as well. In Redzikowo, anarchists met with local people, protested and collected petitions. On Monday there will be a demonstration also in Poznan.
Another action in Redzikowo is planned next month and an international protest mobilization will take place in the spring.
