Kingston, NY – Please see the statement below:

“There is no imperialist shortcut to liberation.”

“As someone who grew up in Nepal under a monarchy, multiple uprisings for democracy, and a prolonged civil war fueled by abject poverty, I know military intervention by countries like the United States has never built democracy abroad, and it never will.On the contrary, these wars, like the latest assault on Iran, as well as the CIA-backed coup of a progressive Iranian government in 1953, are a front for a permanent war economy – an economy in which grotesque military spending and a policy of forever wars allow the powerful to control the world’s resources and keep the working class weak at home.

As we grapple with Donald Trump’s latest illegal war, we must remember: every nation has the right to self-determination, no country has the right to break international laws, let alone bomb children at school, and wars and sanctions are not tools of democracy and freedom; they are the opposite: tools that impose collective punishment on entire nations, and undermine their chances of building a thriving democracy for all.

The United States must end its policy of sanctions, and stand against Trump’s war, and with Iranians struggling for democracy. Members of Congress must use the War Powers Act to force votes and hold Trump accountable, support bills (H.Con.Res.38, H.Con.Res.40) that curb Trump’s military aggression against Iran and end unconditional aid to Israel.”