Fighting for Peace: Veterans and Military Families in the Anti–Iraq War Movement

Appendix. Timeline of Major Events: Wars, Public Opinion, and Protests

| 249 Appendix Timeline of Major Events Wars, Public Opinion, and Protests Jan. 2001 President George W. Bush’s first cabinet meeting discusses toppling Saddam Hussein’s government in Iraq. Feb. 2001 Polls reveal 52 percent of Americans favor military action in Iraq.1 Sept. 2001 Terrorist attacks in the United States by fundamentalist Islamic organization al-Qaeda kill about 3,000 people. Oct. 2001 U.S. and British forces bomb Afghanistan and enter a ground war. The United States has fewer than 2,000 troops in Afghanistan. Nov. 2001 American support for military action in Afghanistan (89 percent) and Iraq (74 percent) are at highest levels. Dec. 2001 Bonn Conference leads to Afghan Transitional Authority, with Hamid Karzai appointed head, creates International Security Assistance Force (ISAF, a UN-initiated peace-keeping force) in Afghanistan. June 2002 At the United States Military Academy at West Point, President Bush outlines legal case for preemptive attack against nations seeking to harm the United States, focuses on Iraq. Sept. 2002 President Bush begins encouraging U.S. Congress, United Nations, and international allies to consider war with Iraq. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld claims links between Iraq and al-Qaeda.2 Polls reveal Americans favor war if United States has support of its allies. Oct. 2002 Large national protest held against impending war in Iraq in Washington, D.C., features VFP members. Other 250 | APPENDIX VFP members spearhead protests in cities across the United States. Nov. 2002 MFSO founded. Press conference announces its formation the following January in Washington, D.C. Feb. 2003 Secretary of State Colin Powell claims Iraq has weapons of mass destruction in UN address.3 Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki says several hundred thousand troops are needed to fully secure Iraq. Millions take part in coordinated international day of protest opposing war in Iraq. Mar. 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, with about 90,000 American troops in-country and a smaller international coalition than in Afghanistan, quickly overthrows Saddam Hussein’s government. About 70 percent of Americans believe this was the right decision. Apr. 2003 VFP spearheads Operation Dire Distress, a series of teach-ins against the war in Iraq. May 2003 President Bush declares “Mission Accomplished” in Iraq while landing on U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Over 60 percent of Americans believe United States made right decision in going to war with Iraq. Aug. 2003 Violence in Iraq intensifies as various factions using low-intensity guerrilla warfare fight for power and against U.S. forces. Oct. 2003 After NATO assumes leadership of ISAF operation in August, UN extends ISAF’s mandate to all Afghanistan. Polling and media attention remains on Iraq, largely ignores Afghanistan for four years. Nov. 2003 Arlington West in Santa Barbara, California, begins. Mar. 2004 U.S. troop level in Iraq averages 150,000 until surge begins in 2007. July 2004 IVAW founded at VFP convention in Boston. Americans’ support for Afghanistan War begins steady decline. Now, 25 percent, compared with 9 percent at its start, think war was a mistake. Oct. 2004 Support for Iraq War slips below 50 percent as insurgency and troop casualties increase.4 Military peace APPENDIX | 251 movement takes part in A Trail of Mourning and Truth from Iraq to the White House, a funeral-style procession and rally in Washington, D.C. Nov. 2004 Parliamentary and presidential elections end in Afghanistan after new constitution is drafted earlier that year. Bush reelected over Vietnam veteran Senator John Kerry. Jan. 2005 Iraq holds first post-Hussein elections. Constitutional ratification follows in October. Support for Iraq War remains under 50 percent in the United States. GSFP is founded. Feb. 2005 While most Americans no longer believe the war was the right decision, 55 percent want troops to stay in Iraq until country is stabilized.5 Mar. 2005 National protest held on third anniversary of Iraq War near Army base Fort Bragg in North Carolina features military peace movement. May 2005 Troop level in Afghanistan is 18,000. Troop level in Iraq is 162,900. Aug. 2005 Military peace movement begins Camp Casey protest encampment outside President Bush’s Crawford, Texas, ranch, gathering intense media coverage for months and culminating in Bring Them Home Now bus tours. Sept. 2005 Large national protest in Washington, D.C., features many military peace movement activists. Oct. 2005 GSFSO is founded. Nov. 2005 Vietnam veteran and Democrat hawk John Murtha calls for withdrawal of...