U.S. corporations are making billions off of conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout Africa. On October 27, activists and supporters of human rights, peace and justice, sustainable development, and true human security will be speaking out about abuses by private military contractors in these regions, poets and musicians will help us make some noise, and we will shine the spotlight on the mercenaries’ meeting in DC during a critical time for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the escalation of U.S. military involvement in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and other Africa nations.

As the mercenary industry gathers in DC for their annual summit, we will gather outside the offices of their trade association — the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA) — in Farragut Square Park to say NO! to mercenaries profiting off of wars and the suffering of the people in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.

According to the private military contractors’ trade association’s website, the “IPOA 2009 Annual Summit is the premier event of the Stability Operations Industry.” Last year’s summit was focused on Africa and this year’s is on “developments in the Afghanistan region, including Pakistan and other neighboring nations, giving overarching consideration to the role of the private sector in such missions.”

We say the private sector should not be making billions off of the horrors of war and conflict. Come help us get our message out!

This event is co-sponsored by the Resist AFRICOM campaign, the Institute for Policy Studies, the TransAfrica Forum, the Mennonite Central Committee, the African Security Research Project, the African Faith and Justice Network, and Friends of the Congo.