(April 8-15)* We, as American citizens, condemn our government's role in Vietnam. We condemn its support of puppet regimes in Saigon, the massive troop and arms intervention, the daily bombing attacks on the people of North and South Vietnam. We condemn our government's acquiescence in the torture of prisoners. We condemn the use of chemical warfare and the napalm, phosphorus, and “lazy dog" bombs, which together with other innovations in weaponry mark American intervention in Vietnam. The United States government is conducting a criminal war against the Vietnamese people, which is every bit as horrible as the French operations in Algeria, and 3 the Nazi atrocities in World War II, This war against the Vietnamese people is being carried out in violation of the Geneva Accords, the r United Nations Charter, our nation own Constitution, and all standards of humanity.
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Periodically, our government has issued declarations of peaceful intent, and has stated its willingness to hold "unconditional" discussions. But these hypocritical declarations are almost always followed by new escalation of the war. Thus far, our government has been unwilling to put an end to this horrible war, by getting out of Vietnam and letting the Vietnamese people determine their own destiny. The overwhelming majority of mankind, from Melbourne to Moscow, from Manila to Montevideo, have e justly condemned the war in Vietnam. And never in our nation's history has a war been so unpopular among our own people. * The peace movement in our country continues to grow as thousands upon thousands of people come to iearn the truth about the war. We realize that, of all the world's peoples, it is ourselves who have the primary responsibility and burden to bring a halt to this war. Toward this purpose, we are calling for a nationwide student week of protest, April 8-15, culminating in massive demonstrations in New York and San Francisco on April 15th. This will be the largest expression of antiwar sentiment among students ever held in our nation's history. We issue this statement to call upon the peoples of the world to join us during Vietnam Week in an international demonstration against U.S. aggression in Vietnam, We ask the students of the world to join us April 8-15 in making our protest an international student protest against " the war. We ask this expression in the name of International brotherhood and peace, in the name of humanity. Enclosed is our call for action within the United States. Please wire or write us of plans you have to join our protest. The key part of the American call for action reads: "We, the Student Mobilization Committee, urge all those students who wish to oppose the criminal war in Vietnam to dedicate themselves anew to the! task of ending the war. Specifically we propose that April 6-15th be Si designated as Vietnam Week which will culminate in the transportation of as many students as possible to New York and San Francisco as part of the ‘general Spring Mobilization of the antiwar movement on April 15th. Finally, we propose that the focus ofEnd the War in Vietnam Week be on: (1) Bringing the GI'S home now; (2)Opposing the draft, and supporting the right of individuals to refuse to cooperate with the military system; and (3) Ending campus complicity with the war effort..... We American students, .... support the right of self-determination throughout the WOD1dss 6 6s GGbieueneece pene” * From the STUDENT MOBILIZATION COMMITTEE, c/o Linda Dannenberg,
29 Park Row (5th Floor), New York, N.Y. 10038.