Passive Resistance: Iraq's Best Hope For Removing US Troops

Imagine millions of Iraqis demonstrating across the country for an immediate withdrawal of US troops. Imagine half the country shutting down for one day every week - Wednesday, for example - until the US occupation is finished. Imagine how it would be reported in the global media... Imagine Bush trying to respond ...

Obviously, having assumed the moniker Gandhi for my online pseudonym, I am a pacifist and an advocate of non-violent, passive resistance. But it's not a topic I have written about a lot - truth is, there have been precious few signs of it in the news over the past few years (orchestrated US political manouevering in Ukraine, Ohio and elsewhere, with paid crowds of "spontaneous protestors", is more like passive offence).

So it was interesting to read about a group calling itself The Islamic Front for the Iraqi Resistance (Jama), which has urged all its members to remain committed to the Front's guidelines in fighting the US-led occupation.

These guidelines include "avoiding the use of bobby-trapped cars inside the cities, the slaughter of hostages and the killing of any Iraqi". Not quite passive, non-violent resistence, but it's a start! These guys are obviously trying to deflect criticism by distinguishing themselves from "Terrorists", although they probably will get very little support from Western media for their troubles.

Isn't it about time that Iraqis leaders (of all parties, tribes and religions) began calling for peaceful, widespread protests with a single, unified purpose - calling for US troops to leave Iraq?