For Immediate Release
Jean Stevens, CODEPINK national media coordinator, 508-879-2138
Paris Marron, CODEPINK online organizer, 310-968-3475
CODEPINK Launches Interactive New Site, RemindObama.org and Short Film to Inspire Americans to Push Obama to Keep Peace Promises
WASHINGTON - In honor of President-elect Barack Obama's promises for change and peace, CODEPINK has launched a new Web site, RemindObama.org,
and debuted its "Remind Obama" short film designed to inspire Americans
to keep alive their hope in him and move him to keep his promises
beyond this historic inauguration Tuesday.
"As Obama said in his campaign, 'I know where I want to take this
country, but I cannot do it without out you, I can't do it by myself,'"
said Paris Marron, CODEPINK's online organizer. "So, in this moment of
victory for the progressive community, we are standing up to support
Obama and remind him of his campaign promises for peace. We cannot
forget there is much work to be done."
RemindObama.org
and the film will accompany on-the-ground activities of nearly 200
CODEPINK women in D.C. at the President-elect's inauguration. After
eight years of protests, frustration and struggle, CODEPINK believes
this President can follow through on his promises (end the war in Iraq;
shut down Guantánamo; reject the Military Commissions Act; end the U.S.
policy of torture; work to eliminate nuclear weapons; hold direct,
unconditional talks with Iran; and abide by Senate approved
international treaties) but ONLY with the same prodding from Americans
who elected him, including the estimated two million gathered at the
inauguration and the millions at home.
From Facebook, to Flickr, to YouTube, RemindObama.org offers tools for people worldwide to connect online, share the "Promises to Keep!" message and invite others to get involved.
"With the technology available to us, we are more able than ever to
connect activists on the street with actions on the web," Marron said.
"People are able to send photos, videos, and Twitter or status updates
straight from the streets to the web instantly using mobile phones.
It's opportunity to engage in the event online, from wherever they are,
and spread the message of hope and peace as we look forward to the next
administration."
At the inauguration, CODEPINK will sing and dance "Yes, we can-can
live in peace!" in bright-pink ruffled "can-can" skirts, "Pink Police"
and "Waitresses Servin' Up Peace" costumes outside balls, rallies and
other inauguration events. CODEPINK will also hand out to the crowd
thousands of pink ribbons that read, "Obama, keep your promises for
peace." (Photos of parade-goers with their ribbons will be posted here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/
CODEPINK will spread their message of hope and change through organized events each day between Jan. 17 and 20 (listed below in bold).
On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights CODEPINK women will also gather
outside select balls and celebrations (call for details) and hand out
"Promises" ribbons. The CODEPINK calendar is available here, www.codepinkalert.org/
Saturday, Jan. 17:
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. : Banner & prop making, strategy session at CODEPINK Convergence Space.
- 6 p.m. : CODEPINK will welcome Obama to D.C. with a train station action (details TBD). At Union Station.
Sunday, Jan. 18:
- 9 to 11 a.m.: Banner & prop making, strategy session at CODEPINK Convergence Space
- 12 p.m.: Can-can dancing and celebrating at "We Are One" opening celebration concert. At Lincoln Memorial.
Monday, Jan. 19:
- 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: MLK Day Anti-oppression training and service projects at CODEPINK Convergence Space.
- 6
p.m.: "Send Bush Packing!" CODEPINK Says Goodbye to the Bush Years by
sending him off with suitcases, show tunes, and a hearty wave goodbye
during the "Sage-ing the White House" street theater event with
comedian Kate Clinton, a joyous "cleansing" the White House. At White
House perimeter on Lafayette Park side at DuPont Circle.
Tuesday, Jan. 20:
- 10 a.m.: CODEPINK activists to gather at McPherson Square (15th & K Streets NW)
- 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: March from McPherson to parade; hand out pink
"promises" ribbons to crowd, photograph parade-goers with ribbons and
signs
- 3 to 5 p.m.: CODEPINK celebration at CODEPINK Convergence Space!
- 7 p.m. : Peace Ball! Join CODEPINK women and supporters including
Howard Zinn, historian Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, Alice Walker,
author ("The Color Purple"); Eve Ensler, playwright ("Vagina
Monologues"); Bernice Johnson Reagon, vocal artist; Dick Gregory,
political comedian and activist; and performers Michael Franti and
Fertile Ground at Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts
Ave., N.E.
For more information, please call Jean Stevens at 508-769-2138 or email jean@codepinkalert.org.
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CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK rejects foreign policies based on domination and aggression, and instead calls for policies based on diplomacy, compassion and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.