WASHINGTON - January 23 - Progressive Democrats of America, the grassroots ally of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is mobilizing its membership into the streets for this Saturday's peace march in D.C. Jan. 27 and into the halls of Congress Monday Jan. 29  to lobby on behalf of a prompt, orderly withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

Founded in 2004, PDA's multiracial Advisory Board includes six members of Congress, and legendary peace and justice activists such as Tom Hayden, Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin of Code Pink and Rev. Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus.

"Through our marching and lobbying, we are not aiming our communication at the White House," commented PDA Executive Director Tim Carpenter, "but at Democrats who have been complicit in prolonging a futile occupation of Iraq, that most Iraqis want ended. The voters spoke in November; some Democratic leaders aren't listening."

PDA is coordinating and rallying grassroots support nationwide behind two bills:

**  H.R. 508, The Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act, a comprehensive  alternative to escalation introduced by PDA Advisory Board members Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters that  would bring all US troops home within 6 months, while providing economic aid and a framework for stability in Iraq and fully funding the VA health care system.

**  Rep. Jim McGovern's Safe and Orderly Withdrawal Act, to be reintroduced this week, which would use appropriated funds for an orderly 180-day withdrawal of all troops from Iraq -- and upon completion of withdrawal, would terminate funding for the US occupation of Iraq. 

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country.  As a grassroots PAC operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice, PDA contributed mightily to the stunning electoral victory of November 2006.  PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up - from every Congressional District to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington. More info at http://pdamerica.org/

United for Peace and Justice , the national anti-war coalition with over 1,400 groups under its umbrella, is sponsoring the march. More info at http://www.unitedforpeace.org

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