(as adopted at the June 2003 national conference)

Introduction

UFPJ was built on an understanding that the crisis in Iraq was part of a much larger dynamic of US foreign and domestic policies and practices. In the coming months many demands will be placed on UFPJ: issues that rightly need our attention, crisis situations that arise, constituencies that reasonably want their issues addressed. In addition, the nation is about to enter an important election season and this will be part of the context we work within. UFPJ needs an overall framework that sets clear goals and allows for our collective assessment of what our priorities should be.

There are several reasons to agree on an articulated framework:

a) With a framework in place we will be better able to determine which specific proposals to take up.

b) It will help us be clear with others as we explain what UFPJ is about: what we stand for, what we want to see changed, what we hope to be heading toward.

c) It will help us more strongly draw the connections between issues, and therefore between varied constituencies.

SECTION 1: The Role of UFPJ

UFPJ is needed as a broad coalition to:

(1) remain a constant in opposition to occupations in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan,
(2) oppose empire-building and the policy of permanent war,
(3) oppose domestic repression,
(4) offer support to domestic struggles for social and
economic justice.

We do not need another organization to replace existing organizations. We need a movement-building coalition that coordinates and supports the work of existing groups as well as builds linkages and solidarity where none or little exist. We face the danger that with the end of the conventional war in Iraq that there will be a sense that a formal anti-war body is no longer necessary. UFPJ should help maintain a public and national debate on the dangers inherent in US foreign policy; the criminality of the occupations of Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan; and the domestic justice struggles that are closely related because they center on "national security" and militarism.

SECTION 2: The Main Goal of UFPJ

UFPJ's over-arching goal in the coming year to 18 months is to impact and mobilize public opinion in order to force a shift by the US government away from its present policy of permanent war and empire-building, and to address the ramifications of that policy both abroad and at home.

To achieve these goals, we understand that a range of tactics and types of work (educational, protest, media efforts,
pressuring elected officials, lobbying, civil disobedience, direct action, etc.) should be examined to decide which will serve our goals at a given time. We should maximize the creativity of different local groups and national organizations, and continue to develop ways to tie the varied initiatives together.

SECTION 3: Areas of Concentration

Our challenge to the policy of permanent war and empire building will have four major areas of concentration, and each of these will have specific campaigns and projects:

1) The "post-war" and post sanctions situation in Iraq, and opposition to occupations in Iraq, Palestinian territories and Afghanistan.

2) Confronting the drive toward empire and its varied manifestations around the world, both military and economic.

3) Domestic issues tied specifically to the posture of permanent war and empire-building, such as the militarization of the economy, attacks on civil liberties, assaults on immigrants and immigrant rights, intensification of racism, etc.

4) Confronting the destruction of democracy.

[Please note: there was agreement to add language on workers rights, the environment and non-violence but we do not yet have the final wording.]

SECTION 4: Types of Action Proposals

It is important to distinguish
the
following types of action proposals:

1. Those major campaigns/actions that UFPJ will initiate and/or take the central responsibility as a national grouping for executing. These should be a select few major projects so that we can truly mobilize our resources to have major impact.

2. Those that UFPJ will support or co-sponsor but will not initiate.

3. Those that UFPJ will endorse, officially lending out name to the action, but not contributing national organizational energy or resources.

SECTION 5:

UFPJ will immediately propose to the other major national anti-war coalitions, including ANSWER, US Labor Against War, Not In Our Name, Racial Justice 911 and Win Without War, creation of a standing inter-coalition liaison committee, with the aim of pursuing greater communication, coordination and wherever possible joint work. Examples of such joint efforts include the July 4th Philadelphia protest against George Bush, the September 27th international day of anti-war actions,
and protests at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.