In Defense of Iraqi Women: For solidarity with our sisters and an immediate end to the occupation!

Whereas the only weapons of mass destruction in Iraq belong to the U.S. and its allies, and the U.S. government's profit-driven military policies are killing U.S. soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, we, the undersigned stand in solidarity with those hardest hit by the occupation: the women of Iraq.

The situation facing females in Iraq is dire. In the name of spreading "democracy," U.S. support of reactionary Islamic fundamentalists has resulted in widespread femicide - including the beheading of feminist activists and "honor killings" - compulsory veiling, kidnapping, and torture. Iraqi women are imprisoned in Abu Ghraib and other jails and have been raped and brutalized by both U.S. and Iraqi guards. Economically, they are hit hardest by the nearly 70\% rate of unemployment. And as casualties of the war, women and children are the overwhelming majority of those wounded and slain by "precision" bombs. Iraqi feminists, such as groups like the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq, stand as courageous leaders in the movement to take back their country but we recognize that their efforts need urgent support by all those opposed to this racist war.

Therefore, we demand the following actions be taken at once:

- Reparations to Iraq paid by U.S. war profiteers, from Halliburton to Bechtel! Restoring the economy is essential to restoring public safety.

- Release all women in custody of the occupation or the puppet Iraqi government! Their safety cannot be guaranteed.

- Stop U.S. support of Islamic fundamentalists! For a fully democratic, secular government that ensures complete freedom for women.

- U.S. out of Iraq now! No more invading, bombing, or occupying under the guise of liberating women!