◆ SpookStack

"_ with the NPAC on the date for a mass mobilization in Washington, and that day was April 24. .- . During the last two weeks of April ‘and the firet, week of May, the ‘nation’s capital was the scene of various rallies against the war. In © the week of April 19-23 an organization known as Vietnam Veterans - Against the War appeared in the city and conducted’a series of demon-. strations against the continuation of the fighting in Vietnam. On - . April 24 the NPAC and PCPJ held a giant “March Against the War”. - followed by a rock concert, In the following ten days the PCPJ spon- sored activities designed to “close down the government.” The tenor for the protests was set when the demonstrators received - a message from Mme Binh. In het April 19 letter the Communist leader wrote: Dear AMERICAN FRIENDS, ; -+' JY wish to extend miy warmest greetings to all American friends of all social positions, political tendencies; and religious beliefs participating . in the spring offensive. . ‘Mme Binh’s instructions for her American associates ¥ were contained in the body of the message, where she demanded .that Mr. Nixon set a reasonable date for the total withdrawal of “American troops so we may havea cease-fire between the Liberation — armed forces and the U.S. forces, and to discuss the question of ensuring safety for the withdrawing troops and ‘the question of releasing military men captured in the Vietnam war. 32. On April 18 members of the VVAW. began a arriving in Washington, . D.C. Their announced purpose was to conduct a “limited incursion. into the District of Columbia.” By ‘the next day the ranks of the. veterans numbered a little over 900 men. Their spokesman was John F. Kerry, a former Navy Heutenant in Vietnam. The ex-servicemen conducted a march to the capitol and held a rally where they de- .. _ manded: “immediate unconditional and unilateral withdrawal of .- _American forces from Vietnam.” For the next few days the veterans..-", visited their states’ congressmen and conducted mock “search and ~ -. “ destroy missions.” Their most effective demonstration occurred on’ -: | April 22, 1971, when 700 former members of the armed forces dis- ~ . carded medals in a protest gathering at the ‘capitol. The veterans . ~ struck, camp onthe following day, with a few of them remaining in... "Washington to joint the Protest march scheduled for or Apri 24. At their | 7 a Bid, p. 239, Committee of Concerned Asian Scholars. After the reporters arrived, 7 ~ the PCPJ leaders announced that they had arrived at an agreement. - rallies the former §. McGovern (D., : (D., Mich.), Edwe Bella Abzug (D., - Three days aft ington, Richard ¥ his evaluation of - the war had succe that these detrac: Washington of hu: The editorialist cc going to be swaye. Nothing that t! hour closer, but t! various Democrat: way out of the wa commitments can 1971} On April 24 the Against The War” The lead group ca: contingents presen gade,; one of the A Spanish Civil War. tion Front. The demonstra: rally was held. An meeting were: Coi George Wiley, NW ger, PCPJ; Joseph journalist 1. F, Ste The Congress w: who urged immed: dillo (D., N.Y.), w! because I don’t has action.” Other con: Abner Mikva (D., | N.Y). The rally receive WTOP, WMAL, W singers Peter, Pau: ald led the demon- last speaker had m: