Yesterday, the Trump administration struck three nuclear sites in Iran, joining with the Israeli government’s attacks that began earlier this month. Hundreds are already dead and Trump is threatening further escalation.
In the coming days, it is critical that those of us who are white Americans do everything in our power to demand “No War on Iran.” We must unequivocally direct blame where it belongs: on the billionaires and politicians who are enriched and empowered by global war.
The Iranian people are not our enemy. They are not the reason that medicaid is being cut, that food pantries are empty, that rent is skyrocketing and our schools are crumbling. Last week, Trump wanted to cast blame for the suffering of our people on immigrants, and this week, he’s at it again: same playbook, new target. Those who benefit from war and militarism at home and abroad are a tiny number of people who are already on top and who are quickly advancing their agenda to the detriment of us all with horrific costs to communities.
War on Iran would cause death and destruction across the Middle East. And US wars around the world fuel repression and violence at home– escalating Islamophobic attacks, increasing policing and surveillance, crackdowns on dissent, violence targeting vulnerable communities, and more money in the hands of corporations and the wealthy few. After 9/11, we saw an unprecedented increase of state surveillance of Muslim and Arab communities that has now become standard operating procedure.
It would also serve to further accelerate the consolidation of the Trump administration’s authoritarian power, further undermine our civil liberties and our movements, and rapidly expand the power of the carceral state, including ICE.
Throughout the 20th century, American wars have been fueled by the propaganda of strategic racism, justifying acts of brutality against citizens around the world and giving cover to American imperialism. Here at home, poor and working class communities of all races overwhelmingly bear the brunt of the choices made by rich white men in power.
Anne Braden, white anti-racist ancestor from Louisville Kentucky and SURJ movement ancestor explained:
“The real danger today comes from the people in high places, from the halls of Congress to the boardrooms of big corporations, who are telling the white people if their taxes are eating up their paychecks, it’s not because of a bloated military budget, but because of government programs that benefit Black people…Our problem is the people in power who are creating a scapegoat mentality.”
At SURJ, our task remains the same as ever: to stay in committed, strategic action, and to bring more and more white people with us into the multiracial, antiracist, anti-war movement we need.
Here’s what you can do this week to put pressure on people in power:
- Tell your members of Congress to intervene immediately to stop Trump from continuing these illegal, unconstitutional, and deadly attacks. Members of Congress in the House and Senate have introduced War Powers Resolutions to halt Trump. Write your member of Congress, tell them to support the War Powers Resolutions and to stop arming Israel.
- Take action. Connect with a local organization in your town that is anti-war or rooted in the communities who will be most impacted and take action with them. We need as many people as possible actively opposing war.
- Join us on Wednesday night for our action hour. Register here to join with thousands of others to fight back against ICE, the horrific budget in front of Congress, and say no to War.
As the Trump regime continues to scapegoat communities across the country and the globe, we remain committed to taking the bold action needed to slow authoritarian consolidation, fight for working people of all races, and fight back against white supremacy. Join us this week.
In solidarity,
SURJ
Showing Up for Racial Justice
PO Box 1376
Buffalo, NY 14205
United States