Peace Groups Challenge Congress to End the War

	Duration: 08:20 minutes Upload Time: 07-09-05 15:26:06 User: liamh2 :::: Favorites :::: Top Videos of Day
Description: On Sept. 5, 2007, at noon, on the West side of the U.S. Capitol, representatives of various Peace Groups challenged the U.S. Congress to end the Iraq War. The activists held a public signing of letters seeking a meeting, and a dialogue, with Congressional leaders. The Peace Groups want Congress "to cut off funding for the war in Iraq and to safely and swiftly bring the U.S. troops home." The National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR) coordinated today's event. Participating were activists from Code Pink, Declaration of Peace, Democracy Rising, Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Gold Star Families for Peace, Jonah House, Peace Action, Veterans for Peace, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Voters for Peace and the Washington Peace Center. Check out the Declaration of Peace's web site at: http://declarationofpeace.org/ for information on the "9 Point Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq," which is referenced in the letters to the Congressional leadership. Text-Letter to Members of Congress Rep. Nancy Pelosi, 235 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Sen. Harry Reid, 528 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Rep. John Boehner, 1011 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Sen. Mitch McConnell, 361-A Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator or Representative: As representatives of peace and justice organizations, we are writing to request a meeting with you as soon as possible at your convenience to discuss a most urgent issue. We are facing one of the greatest crisis of our times--the unmitigated disaster caused by the war and occupation of Iraq. The untold suffering in Iraq, in that region and here in the United States will be with us for decades to come. The healing of Iraq cannot begin until all occupation forces leave the country. Many of our elected representatives express concern for the troops in Iraq. However, under a false premise, they vote to fund the war in order to "support the troops." In reality, not much of the funding of the war actually went to the troops or the many veterans who returned home broken and damaged by what they experienced in this illegal war. Instead funding the war meant more money for profiteers like Halliburton and corrupt Iraqi officials. And funding the war inevitably led to more dead and wounded U.S. soldiers. We urge you to be a leader in ending this dishonorable war. The continuation of this illegal and futile occupation is a refusal to accept the November 2006 mandate of the people to end this war. As you are aware, an astonishing $12 billion is wasted each month on the war in Iraq. The money going down the rabbit hole in Iraq is funding denied to the poor and the working middle class. Money for war is money denied to children, many of whom have no access to health care. Money for war is money denied to our struggling public schools. Money for war is money denied to desperately needed social services. All of us, both legislator and peace activist, must act to end this ignoble crisis. Let us meet to discuss how best to end the occupation of Iraq as soon as possible. The Declaration of Peace has developed a framework for a 9-point Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq, which we would like to discuss with you at the meeting: 1] An end to all funding for U.S. military operations in Iraq. 2] Safe and rapid withdrawal of all U.S. troops and coalition forces from Iraq, with no future deployments. 3] No permanent U.S. military bases or installations in Iraq. 4] Support for an Iraqi-led peace process, including a peace conference to shape a post-occupation transition. 5] Return control of Iraqi oil and sovereignty in their economic and political affairs to the people of Iraq. 6] Support for reparations and reconstruction to address the destruction caused by the U.S. invasion, military occupation, and 13 years of economic sanctions. 7] Establish a U.S. "peace dividend" for job creation, health care, education, housing, and other social needs at home. 8] Increased support for U.S. veterans of the Iraq war. 9] No war against Iran or any other nation. The peace community warned the government not to invade Iraq. The peace community argued that the reasons for going to war were lies. The peace community predicted that the invasion and occupation of Iraq would become a quagmire. Following the current path will only mean more death and destruction. So representatives of various peace groups hope to speak with you, and through dialogue let us find a solution to the crisis. Please contact us and let us know when you are available to meet. We look forward to your response. In peace, Max Obuszewski on behalf of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance
Comments
ozone914 ::: Favorites power to the people!! 07-09-07 23:10:49 _____________________________________________________
theprits ::: Favorites Thank you so much. You are true patriots. 07-09-06 20:59:16 _____________________________________________________
petep69 ::: Favorites This was on Wednesday, September 5th. More actions will be needed, but I keep praying Congress will come to its senses. 07-09-06 07:55:31 _____________________________________________________
petep69 ::: Favorites Fantastic letter and we will need further action! I keep praying the Congress will come to its senses. 07-09-05 16:18:33 _____________________________________________________