LOCAL ANTI-WAR PROTESTS PLANNED TONIGHT IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT’S ESCALATION OF AFGHANISTAN WAR

Rep. Hunter supports greater troop escalation than President seeks to deploy

December 2, 2009 – Local peace activists are staging rallies to protest President Obama’s announcement yesterday to increase troops in Afghanistan. Organizers say that funds would be better spent to address serious domestic issues, such as the healthcare crisis, unemployment, and more.

San Diego Coalition for Peace & Justice (SDCPJ) plans a rally this evening from 5 to 6 p.m. outside Congresswoman Susan Davis’ office at the intersection of University Avenue and Fairmont Avenue in City Heights. Davis has posted a poll on her website  asking constituents their views on the troop surge. An additional candlelight vigil is being planned by the Ramona Forum tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at 10th and Main Street in Ramona.

Yesterday President Barack Obama announced plans to deploy an additional 34,000 troops to Afghanistan in early 2010 an effort to maintain pressure on Al Qaeda, halt the Taliban’s resurgence, and stabilize the war-torn country’s government. Obama also stated his intent to begin withdrawing forces in July 2011. View his complete speech and read text here.

“We are in the deepest economic crisis in over 70 years, with the highest unemployment rates in living memory, and deep cuts in education and social services,” a statement issued by SDCPJ reads. “We should not be forced to tighten our belts to pay for their imperial adventures.”

Presently there are 68,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The surge would push that to over 100,000. As many as 4,000 of the additional troops slated for deployment could be sent from Camp Pendleton.

While protests of the troop escalation are springing up across the nation in the wake of the President’s announcement, others believe the surge is not enough. U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal had asked for 40,000 to 60,000 troops.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, (R-El Cajon), who represents most of East County, met with McChrystal during a recent trip to Afghanistan and has called on the Persident to provide McChrystal the number of troops requested by the General.  "There appears to be unanimous agreement among military commanders and their civilian counterparts that additional combat troops are needed - and needed fast," he said on November 1st. Hunter, a former Marine served one tour of duty in Afghanistan and two in Iraq before taking his father’s seat in Congress. Hunter also stated that he believes victory in Afghanistan is within reach.
 

In response to the President’s announcement yesterday, Hunter told the Union-Tribune, "I want to know what this means for our timeline in getting out of there" and questioned why the President is sending fewer troops than McChrystal requested. "
 

Organizers of the protest at Davis’ office ask participants to bring candles or flashlights. In Ramona, participants are requested to bring candles and paper cups to serve as wind breaks.