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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Michael T. McPhearson, Veterans For Peace Executive Director, 314-725-6005; Barry Ladendorf, Veterans For Peace, President, 619-997-2772

Veterans Join D.C. Events to Mark 12th Anniversary of U.S. Invasion of Iraq

ST. LOUIS, MO

Members of Veterans For Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War will participate in four days of anti-war and pro-peace events in Washington, D.C., marking 12 years since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.

A rally and march will begin at the White House at noon on Saturday, March 21st.

The rally and march will be preceded by three days of activities including a concert on March 18th, lobbying and a tour of war sites on March 19th, and by teach-ins on the evening of the 19th and all day on March 20th.

On March 20th, members of Veterans For Peace will participate in three panels; "From Ukraine to ISIS to Drones: Why We Must Demilitarize US Foreign Policy", "End These Endless Wars: Perspectives from Veterans and Military Families" and "World Beyond War: An Alternative Global Security System". For more information click here.

Spring Rising is intended as an antiwar intervention into the world capital of war-making. The U.S. has spread its military across the globe and is engaged in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and, via drone strikes, in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. The U.S. government is provoking Russia in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, pushing for another coup in Venezuela, and expanding its military presence in Asia and Africa. The one war the U.S. President seems interested in avoiding -- with Iran -- a group of Senators has now taken it upon themselves to strive to bring into being. Meanwhile, Congress is debating whether to authorize more war making, while the President has made clear the wars will continue regardless of Congress, the United Nations, the rule of law, strategic common sense, or of course basic human morality.

More information, including the long list of participating organizations

Full schedule of events

Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars.

(314) 725-6005