Bush's escalation in Iraq is underway, and the bloodshed continues; dozens of people are killed and hundreds wounded nearly every day. And yet Congress, and its numerous presidential hopefuls, continues to dither on cutting the funding for the war and setting a timetable for withdrawal. Elected with an overwhelming mandate for peace, they can barely find the courage to pass a non-binding resolution to oppose the escalation, let alone stand up to the White House on plans to attack Iran.
On March 19th the fifth year of this illegal, immoral, disastrous war will begin, and we must mark this occasion with the loudest and widest demonstrations for peace that we can muster. ANSWER is organizing a March on the Pentagon on March 17, and Troops Out Now Coalition is calling for an Encampment to Stop the War beginning March 12 in Washington, DC. We encourage you to attend these actions if you are able to do so. At the same time, United for Peace and Justice knows that our movement must also be vocal and visible in every community across the country, around the 4th anniversary and beyond.
We must capture the momentum of the huge numbers of new people coming to the realization that this war must be stopped. UFPJ member groups and allies from Alaska to Florida are working hard to organize a wide array of actions, including vigils, marches, rallies, nonviolent civil disobedience and more, to mark this tragic milestone and to raise the demand to bring the troops home
We urge you to take a moment now to find an event to participate in, to begin planning one or to make your arrangements to go to DC. Whatever you do to mark the 4th anniversary, start spreading the word now to ensure a great turnout! To make Congress, the White House, the media and our communities take notice, we need to be loud and we need to be everywhere, saying, END THE WAR and BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
On January 27th, hundreds of thousands surrounded the U.S. Capitol to send a loud, clear message to Congress. Since then, our movement has been keeping the pressure on through initiatives like the Occupation Project, initiated by UFPJ member group Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Over the last few weeks, dozens of congressional offices around the country have been "occupied" by people demanding that their members of Congress pledge to cut off funding for the war.
And that momentum will continue through the 4th anniversary and beyond. Check the UFPJ calendar to find activities close to you, and be sure to post all activities you plan on that same calendar.
Several Major Events: March 17, Rally for Peace in Fayetteville, NC: The home of Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville is also the place where an annual rally for peace is held on the anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. On Saturday, March 17th, this military town will be where military families, Iraq war veterans, and veterans of other wars will gather with people from throughout the South to march behind the banner demanding: Real Support for the Troops, Bring Them Home Now!
Veterans Caravan to the Gulf Coast: Veterans for Peace will launch its second caravan from Fayetteville after the March 17th rally, bound for the Gulf Coast, where the huge task of recovery and rebuilding remains far from finished. The caravan will include representatives from Veterans For Peace, Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Iraq Veterans Against the War, signers of the Appeal For Redress, and possibly several war resisters.
March 16-19, the Declaration of Peace Campaign, building on the work begun last fall, will engage in nonviolent civil disobedience and peaceful resistance in cities across the United States to mark the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
More than 100 rural towns in Maine will participate in a campaign called "From Every Village Green." The organizers have put together a straightforward step-by-step action plan for those who would like to hold such an event in their town, in Maine or elsewhere.
On March 16, the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq will gather for a religious service in Washington, DC. Gathering to call for an end to the U.S. war in Iraq and to make it clear that they oppose Christian support for this bloodshed, Christians from many denominations will pray for an end to the war beginning at 7 p.m. at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and then take part in a candlelight procession to the White House. Over 400 people have already committed to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience at the White House as part of this event.
How You Can Get Involved:Check the calendar on the UFPJ website to find an antiwar activity near you -- and then be sure to help get the word out and help make that event as large as possible.
Plan your own activity (and be sure to post it on the UFPJ calendar!):
· organize a vigil in front of the offices of your members of Congress;
· get people together to stand with signs and banners against the war in the busiest part of your town;
· hand out leaflets to high school students to make sure they know the military recruiters are not telling the truth;
· plan an act of nonviolent civil disobedience at the office of a military contractor, a recruitment station, or the district office of your Congressional representative;
· organize a march through a part of your city or town where lots of people will see you, and in memory of Molly Ivins, bring pots and pans to appropriate events (i.e., not to silent vigils) and make some noise!
Collect signatures on our national petition to Congress: No matter what you are doing on and around the 4th anniversary, we hope you are talking to people about the war and how they can get involved. One tool you can use is the new petition being circulated by United for Peace and Justice.
Write letters to your local newspapers, call in to radio talk shows, and try to get media coverage for any antiwar activity you are involved in: Be sure to explain why you oppose the war, why you think it needs to end now, and why you don't want a new war in Iran!
Together, we the people will end this war!
ACTION ALERT * UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE www.unitedforpeace.org 212-868-5545 To subscribe, visit www.unitedforpeace.org/email
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