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U.S. Threatens to Shoot Iraqi Protesters Dead

HeadlineDec 19, 2003

In Iraq, Reuters is reporting that the U.S. has banned all forms of protests against the U.S. occupation around Saddam Hussein’s birthplace of Tikrit. After a recent rally in support of Saddam Hussein, U.S. military vehicles and tanks raced through the streets. One of the vehicles broadcast a recording of the U.S.-backed regional governor in the area, Hussein al-Jaburi. His message was “Any demonstration against the government or coalition forces will be fired upon. This is a fair warning.” According to Reuters, all demonstrations have been declared illegal in the province. Iraqis face a year in jail for participating in a protest. And any Iraqi civil servants or teachers who participate in protests will lose their jobs. Reuters reported one U.S. military officer warned a local Iraqi in Tikrit not to organize any protests, The U.S. officer said ” Let me make something very clear. If our ears and eyes see and hear you are connected with demonstrations, and anti-coalition activities you will be going to jail for a very long time.”

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