March, 18 2009, 11:30am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co-founder, 415-235-6517
Blaine Clarke, CODEPINK DC, 757-870-0691
On War Anniversary, CODEPINK Calls for Shoe-Thrower's Release, Demands Arrest of True War Criminal: George W. Bush
WHAT: CODEPINK to call for al-Zaidi's release and arrest of true war criminal, Pres. Bush, on war anniversary
WASHINGTON
On the sixth anniversary of the disastrous Iraq War, members of the women's peace group CODEPINK and other activists will gather outside the Iraqi embassy here and call for the release of Muthader al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist sentenced to three years in prison last week for throwing his shoes at Pres. Bush, and the arrest of Bush.
With creative posters and banners, the women will highlight the irony of the sentence so close to the war anniversary: al-Zaidi was jailed for "insulting" Bush at a Baghdad press conference, while Bush, who lied to the world six years ago to launch an economy-draining, illegal war of "shock and awe" that has killed 4,000 Americans and more than 1 million innocent Iraqis, walks free.
"It's outrageous that al-Zaidi could get two years in prison for insulting George Bush, when Bush is directly responsible for the death and displacement of millions," said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK. "The one who should be in jail is George Bush, and he should be charged with war crimes."
For more information, please call Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co-founder, at 415-235-6517 or Blaine Clarke, CODEPINK DC, at 757-870-0691.
CODEPINK is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.
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