https://themilitant.com/2019/04/06/iraq-protests-win-firing-of-governor-in-ferry-disaster/
Iraq protests win firing of governor in ferry disaster
??By Brian Williams
Vol. 83/No. 15
April 15, 2019
Angry relatives of over 100 killed in sinking of ferry blocked road
chanting ???no to corruption??? when Mosul???s governor arrived March 22.
Victims had been celebrating New Year???s holiday.
AP/Farid Abdulwahed
Angry relatives of over 100 killed in sinking of ferry blocked road
chanting ???no to corruption??? when Mosul???s governor arrived March 22.
Victims had been celebrating New Year???s holiday.
Thousands took to the streets in the Iraqi city of Mosul March 22, the
day after an overcrowded ferry capsized in the Tigris River, killing
more than 100 people. ???Our demand is the governor???s resignation,??? a
protester told Kurdistan 24 news station at the action. ???All officials
must be dismissed,??? another added.
Most of those who drowned were women and children, who were taking the
boat to an amusement park on Umm Rabaen to celebrate Nowruz, the Kurdish
and Persian New Year???s holiday and Mother???s Day. Several dozen are still
listed as missing. The vessel was overloaded to five times its rated
capacity, according to the Mosul Civil Defense Authority. It was
traveling after heavy rains and a water release from a dam upstream made
water levels high and the current strong. The ferry flipped over onto
many of the passengers.
Working people in the city, who???ve lived through real economic
difficulties since the destruction wrought by Islamic State???s seizure
and occupation, the battle to throw IS out, and official mismanagement
during the recovery, were outraged. When Nawfal al-Akoub, the provincial
governor, came to the area he was met by people throwing rocks at his
convoy. As his car sped away, it hit two people who had to be rushed to
the hospital.
???We are protesting today for over 100 people who died because of
corruption, destruction and greed,??? one woman said in tears.
In response to the public outcry, Iraq???s parliament met two days later
and voted overwhelmingly to fire the governor. An Iraqi court issued a
warrant for Akoub???s arrest.
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???SWP launches drive to expand reach of books and ???Militant???
???Cease-fire can open political space in Israel and in Gaza
???New Jersey protest: ???Driver???s license is a necessity for immigrant
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???Two-year-long anti-Trump ???Russia collusion??? witch hunt fizzles out
???Ongoing trade rivalry between US and Chinese rulers ripples worldwide
Feature Articles ???Woodfox shines light on prison abuse, solitary confinement
Also In This Issue ???New Zealand rulers use mosque attacks to target
political rights
???Help us go over the top in $115,000 Militant Fighting Fund
???Kurdistan debate on road to women???s emancipation
???Iraq protests win firing of governor in ferry disaster
???Outcry hits attempt to gut Florida voting rights victory
???End solitary confinement! Voting rights for ex-prisoners!
On the Picket Line ???Chicago hospital workers rally to protest short
staffing, low pay
Books of the Month ???Fidel: ???Without Che???s ideas, communism can???t be
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