WASHINGTON - November 2 - A delegation of Afghan war veterans will meet with the head of the Progressive Caucus, Congress member Raul Grijalva, to discuss opposition to the White House's upcoming war plans and possible troop escalation in Afghanistan.  This visit will kick off a week-long schedule of lobby meetings with Democratic and Republican Members of Congress.

What: Veterans for Rethinking Afghanistan meet with Progressive Caucus Co-Chair. Press is welcome to attend the meeting.

When: Today, Monday, November 2^nd, 10:00am

Where: Progressive Caucus Chair Congress member Raul M. Grijalva's Office 1440 Longworth House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515

Afghan War veterans will be accompanied by former Afghan Member of Parliament Malalai Joya, who was suspended from parliament on the grounds that she had insulted fellow representatives.  Ms. Joya is also the author of her memoirs, A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice.

"Boots on the ground are doing more harm than good in Afghanistan. The refugee camps are breeding grounds for Taliban insurgents and Al-Qaeda. Concurrently, we are pushing Taliban extremists to the border of nuclear-armed Pakistan by our very presence in the region. Our military presence is no longer protecting America." Former Marine Corporal Jake Diliberto

"Our actions are creating a new generation of enemies in Afghanistan. Our occupation is the cause and it is totally preventable." Former Marine Sergeant Devon Read