International Action Center

International Action Center is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 by Ramsey Clark, former United States Attorney General, and Sara Flounders, a Workers World Party activist. The organization is known for its anti-imperialist and anti-war stance, often working in solidarity with groups such as the ANSWER Coalition and National Council of Churches. The International Action Center has been involved in various campaigns and protests, including those against the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), often in collaboration with organizations like Code Pink and Veterans For Peace. The center's activities have also been supported by notable figures such as Cindy Sheehan, Michael Parenti, and Howard Zinn.

● History

The International Action Center was established in response to the Gulf War and the Sanctions against Iraq, with the goal of promoting peace and opposing United States foreign policy. The organization's early work focused on supporting the people of Iraq and Kosovo, often in partnership with groups like the American Friends Service Committee and Oxfam. The center's founders, Ramsey Clark and Sara Flounders, have been instrumental in shaping the organization's mission and activities, which have included protests against the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and the invasion of Afghanistan. The International Action Center has also worked closely with other anti-war organizations, such as the Not in Our Name project and the United for Peace and Justice coalition, which includes groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

● Organization

The International Action Center is headquartered in New York City and has chapters in several other cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The organization is led by a board of directors, which includes Sara Flounders and other long-time activists, such as John Parker and Brian Becker. The center's work is supported by a network of volunteers and staff, who often collaborate with other organizations, such as the Institute for Policy Studies and the Center for Constitutional Rights. The International Action Center also publishes a newsletter, Workers World, which features articles and analysis on current events, often written by contributors like Monica Moorehead and Larry Holmes.

● Activities

The International Action Center engages in a range of activities, including organizing protests and demonstrations, such as the Million Worker March and the anti-war protests of 2003. The organization also provides support to grassroots movements and activist groups, such as the Occupy Wall Street movement and the Black Lives Matter movement, often in partnership with organizations like the National Lawyers Guild and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. The center's work has been endorsed by notable figures like Noam Chomsky, Cornel West, and Angela Davis, who have spoken at events organized by the International Action Center, such as the Socialism Conference and the Left Forum.

● Notable Campaigns

The International Action Center has been involved in several notable campaigns, including the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal campaign and the Hands Off Venezuela campaign, which have been supported by organizations like the National Association of Social Workers and the Latin American Studies Association. The organization has also worked to support the people of Palestine, often in partnership with groups like the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and the Jewish Voice for Peace. The center's campaigns have been endorsed by notable figures like Alice Walker, Harry Belafonte, and Danny Glover, who have spoken out against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the US blockade of Cuba.

● Criticisms_and_Controversies

The International Action Center has faced criticism and controversy over the years, particularly for its support of governments and leaders like Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, which has been criticized by organizations like the Human Rights Watch and the Amnesty International. The organization has also been accused of promoting a pro-North Korea and pro-Iran agenda, which has been criticized by groups like the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. However, the International Action Center has maintained that its work is focused on promoting peace and opposing imperialism, often in collaboration with organizations like the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the International League for Human Rights.

● International_Presence

The International Action Center has a significant international presence, with partners and allies in countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. The organization has also worked with groups in Europe, such as the European Social Forum and the World Social Forum, to promote anti-war and anti-imperialist activism, often in collaboration with organizations like the Transnational Institute and the Focus on the Global South. The center's international work has been supported by notable figures like Jean Bricmont, Samir Amin, and Aijaz Ahmad, who have written about the importance of international solidarity and cooperation in the face of globalization and imperialism. The International Action Center's international presence has also been recognized by organizations like the United Nations and the European Union, which have acknowledged the center's work on issues like human rights and sustainable development. Category:Anti-war organizations