Friday, 22 February 2013
Appeal from Stockholm

WORLDWIDE APRIL 10 MUSEUM PROTEST
Help put accountability for the destruction of Iraq´s cultural heritage on the agenda during the 10th anniversary year of the US-led invasion! Join us in supporting an international effort to bring attention to the facts by arranging candlelight vigils and by leafleting visitors outside as many museums as possible on Wednesday April 10, 2013 for a few hours. This was an initiative started by Donny George, the now deceased former Museum Director and was on many occasions repeated by organization Saving Antiquities (SAFE). It is a tradition worth maintaining, especially in this anniversy year. __
Let 2013 be a campaign year “For Justice and Accountability for Iraq” in all areas. The world will not forget the criminal destruction of Iraqi culture.
Contact us if you can arrange a small vigil or protest on this date in your city.
The Iraq Solidarity Association in Stockholm info@iraksolidaritet.se
Example of leaflet text
Dig for culture, not for oil!
_______________________
On April 10-12 2003 the national museum in Baghdad was looted as US troops stood by to protect the Ministry of Oil. Countless artifacts were stolen, most have never been returned. Valuable religious minority archives were seized and brought to the US where they remain. Numerous monuments of historical importance were desecrated and destroyed. The ancient ruins of Babylon were flattened in places to build landing pads for coalition helicopters! Much of this destruction could have been foreseen and avoided. Aghast at the destruction of one of the cradles of civilization, the French President described the situation as a “crime against humanity”. Today, a pipeline for transporting oil has been drawn under the ruins in Babylon, further threatening our world heritage. This must be stopped!
We demand:
That the UNESCO resolution adopted on protecting Iraq culture be fully implemented
That all trade in stolen artifacts be vigorously stopped and the criminal perpetrators be persecuted and
That the US, as the occupying power, be held responsible for the restoration of destroyed cultural sites and the return of stolen property.


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