Ferguson, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine…

It has been an exhausting few weeks in world events. Every day I look at Twitter and Facebook and there is always something new and discouraging. From the astonishingly violent Israeli attacks on Gaza to the police violence in Ferguson, from the secessionist fighting in Ukraine to the advance of ISIS in Iraq, I’m more than a little worn out by the news.

National Priorities Project has recently reported that the US is on track to spend a total of $1.5 trillion on Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and the end of the 2014 fiscal year, while the ramping up of involvement in Iraq bodes poorly for reductions in war spending. But things aren’t all bad on publicity about military spending, conscientious objection, and resistance to war taxes.

For example, the latest Israeli operation in Gaza has roused more interest in war tax resistance than we expected, with attention to how US tax dollars pay for Israeli war crimes. Likewise, folks are making connections between military spending and the way the police in Ferguson were outfitted for a war. The recent imposition of a 1.5% war tax amid the unrest in Ukraine makes me curious about the opportunities for nonviolent resistance to war in that area. I’m sending all my best wishes to folks in each of those communities working for justice, peace, and self-determination.

“No U.S. tax $$ for Israel’s Occupation.” “Jews oppose Israel’s war on civilians and the siege of Gaza.” (Photo: Ayesha Durrani via Scarry Thoughts blog. Click image to read blog.)

Some other things that are keeping me grounded and vaguely optimistic include:

• Seeing fellow white friends and acquaintances take a real interest in the issue of police brutality and racist targeting of black people. Check out this great article in Jacobin, by the way – militarization is a problem, but not the only problem with the police.
• The Block the Boat campaign that is stopping major imports by an Israeli shipping company at ports up and down the west coast.
• I’m about to spend the weekend tabling for war tax resistance at the Seattle Anarchist Bookfair – always a fun time. Come say hi if you’re in town!

And finally, an acquaintance of mine, due in part to my talking about war tax resistance on Facebook, has decided to take on war tax resistance themselves. Keep talking about resistance – you never know who is listening.

-Post by Erica