Scott Ritter speaks at First Unitarian

Scott Ritter, the former UN weapons inspector, spoke on Thursday evening to antiwar activists about his analysis of the weaknesses of the antiwar movement, and what should be done to strengthen it.

The speech was sponsored by the Building Peace group of First Unitarian, Peaceworks, a community antiwar organization in Worcester and by Channel 13.

About 65 people attended the meeting; about one third was from First Unitarian.

Ritter presented a bleak assessment of the antiwar movement saying that is being isolated and defeated in an ideological struggle with pro-war elements. He argued that the antiwar movement needed to develop a greater capacity to engage in coordinated actions, and pursue strategic objectives rather disconnected tactics. His speech drew heavily on his new book: Waging Peace: The Art of War for the Antiwar Movement, published by Nation Books.

On the current situation, Ritter argued that further actions against the war in Iraq should be placed on hold, while the antiwar movement directs its energy to educating people about a war with Iran, which is already covertly underway. The antiwar movement should be pressing Congress to rescind the resolutions authorizing the use of Military Force passed after 9/11 and before the Iraq war, which also authorize the use of force against other countries, including Iran.