Minneapolis, MN – Over 150 people lined the sidewalks here Oct. 16 with protest signs and banners calling for an end to the war Oct. 16, the ninth anniversary of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

The Minneapolis event was held in solidarity with other anti-war events in cities across the U.S. Oct. 7-16 to call for an end to the war in Afghanistan. Peace groups have been holding vigils, rallies and other activities to speak out against the war.

“The U.S. government is escalating the war in Afghanistan, sending over 30,000 additional troops there this year,” said a statement issued by organizers.

“The people of Afghanistan have suffered attacks on their families and the destruction of their homes and villages. The people of Afghanistan deserve to be free of occupation and can determine for themselves what happens in their own country,” the statement continues.

The Oct. 16 protest came just weeks after raids at the homes of several Twin Cities anti-war activists.

“The anti-war movement will stay in the streets and continue speaking out. We are not going to be intimidated by the recent FBI harassment of anti-war activists. We demand an end to the FBI and Grand Jury witch hunt that has been unleashed,” the statement said.

Speaking at the protest, Misty Rowan of the Anti-War Committee said, “These attacks on anti-war activists demonstrate a turn for the worse in this war on terror. That the government would go after its own citizens, mothers and community leaders of the peace movement, is a gross injustice that the average American cannot afford to ignore. It is a violation of our rights! It is a crucial time to stand together and unflinchingly demand an end to this war. We need to be more visible than ever, we need to be louder, we need to show that we are not afraid to exercise our right to protest – to become the popular movement to stop the war.”

The U.S. war in Afghanistan is also escalating into Pakistan, with an ever-increasing number of drone attacks against targets in that country. The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported a dramatic increase in the number of civilian casualties in the Kandahar area of Afghanistan as a result of the escalating U.S. war.

Groups participating in the Saturday event included the Twin Cities Peace Campaign, Women Against Military Madness, Anti-War Committee, Military Families Speak Out, Iraq Peace Action Coalition and others.

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