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For Immediate Release
March, 17 2009, 10:52am EDT
Contact:
Jean Stevens, CODEPINK national media coordinator, 508-769-2138
Rae Abileah, CODEPINK local groups coordinator, 415-994-1723
CODEPINK Women Across America to Mark Iraq War's Sixth Anniversary
Call for immediate withdrawal from Iraq, aid to Afghanistan, end to war economy
Nationwide
To recognize and mourn six tragic years of war in Iraq, CODEPINK
women across America on its anniversary this year will host rallies,
film screenings, marches and conferences, connecting the failing U.S.
economy with continued military spending.
WHAT: CODEPINK events nationwide organized around sixth anniversary of Iraq War, occupation of Afghanistan
WHEN: March 18 to March 28
WHERE: Cities and towns across America
This March 18 to 28, most will call on Pres. Obama to keep his campaign
promise to withdraw all troops from Iraq by early 2010, urge him to
stop any military efforts in Afghanistan and rely on diplomacy first
and last. They will also call for investigation and prosecution of U.S.
officials, proper care for American veterans and refugees.
"After six devastating years of war, thousands of people from San
Francisco to Central Florida are planning inspiring marches, vigils,
film screenings and more to continue the call for end to war, proper
care for veterans, and a reinvestment in America," said Rae Abileah,
CODEPINK's local groups' coordinator. "In every pocket of the country
this month, they'll tell Obama they want U.S.-Middle East foreign
relations to be replaced with diplomacy and peaceful solutions."
Born in the lead up to the Iraq War in 2003, CODEPINK Women for Peace
has become a vibrant, creative voice in the peace movement, an outlet
especially for women in the United States and worldwide. The consistent
hard work of thousands in more than 200 chapters worldwide has helped
to turn public opinion against the atrocities of the wars in Iraq,
Afghanistan and Gaza.
Nearly two dozen sixth anniversary events are planned thus far
nationwide, and more are currently being finalized. For updated
information, please visit the CODEPINK website here or call Jean Stevens, national media coordinator, at 508-769-2138.
Tempe, AZ: March 19
* 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Vigil, talk with Robert Reich, Secretary of
Labor under Pres. Clinton, and social @ Arizona State University.
Contact: Liz Hourican at endthewarcoalition@cox.net
Bay Area, CA: March 19-21
* Week of actions include United for Peace and Justice vigils at BART stations.
* 11 a.m. March 21 Rally/march from Justin Herman Plaza (Embarcadero) to Civic Center Plaza.
Led by the ANSWER coalition. Contact: rae@codepinkalert.org. For more information, visit here.
Washington, DC: March 21
* 12 p.m March on the Pentagon to say "Bring the Troops Home NOW!" begins @ 23rd & Constitution.
More than 1,300 organizations and individuals have endorsed. Contact: Blaine Clarke, blaine@codepinkalert.org.
Largo, Fl.: March 19
* 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All day rally calling for immediate withdrawal of troops, closing of bases @ Clock Tower, City Park.
Hosted by Florida Peace Action Network. Contact" Heidi Ferrara, heidi@riseuptampabay.com.
Melbourne, Fl.: March 28
* 2 p.m. Mass march from @ Front Street Park (2205 Front Street) to Melbourne City Hall.
Hosted by Patriots for Peace, Humanists for Peace, and Central Florida Veterans for Peace. Contact: Jeff Nall, sabletide@yahoo.com .
Fort Myers, Fl.: March 19
* 12 p.m. "Eyes Wide Open!" shoe display of fallen Iraqi
civilians and US Troops @ Centennial Park, downtown Fort Myers at the
river.
Sponsored
by Environmental and Peace Education Center, AFSC, Military Families
Speak Out, CODEPINK SW FL. Contact: Holley Rauen, hrauen@comcast.net.
Tampa, Fl.: March 19
* 4:30 to 6 p.m. Protest of six years of illegal occupation,
call for jobs and education @ Federal Courthouse, 801 N Florida Ave,
Tampa.
Sponsored by CODEPINK Tampa Bay, Citizens for Sanity. Contact: Heidi Ferrara, heidi@riseuptampabay.com.
Wichita, KS: March 20
* 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Speak out against the wars --
Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine -- @ East 2nd and Mead at the Warren
Old Town Square.
Sponsored by Peace and Social Justice Center, Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom and others. Contact: Peace Center, staff@wichitapeace.org.
Muskegon, MI: March 21
* 12:30 to 6 p.m. Day of workshops and round-table discussions
surrounding veterans' concerns @ Bethany Christian Reformed Church,
1105 Terrace St.
Sponsored by CODEPINK, Community of Veterans, Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs and more. Contact Terrie Hampel at terrieham@hotmail.com.
Columbia, MO: March 21
* 1 p.m. Rally to end the wars @ Courthouse Square, 814 E Walnut.
Sponsored by Columbia Peace Coalition, St. Louis Instead of War Coalition. Contact Mid Missouri Peaceworks at mail@midmopeaceworks.org
Kansas City, MO: March 22
* 2 p.m. Screening of "War Made Easy" film, narrated by Sean Penn, @ organizer's home.
For location and more information, contact coordinator Deanna Kline at klinedeanna@rocketmail.com.
New York, NY:
* 12 p.m. March 18 CODEPINK, Granny Peace Brigade mark Time Square's Military Island a "crime scene" @ 44th St. and Broadway recruitment center.
* 6 p.m. Documentary "Operation Lysistrata" screening with panel discussion @ Int'l Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave.
Sponsored by CODEPINK NYC, Peace Action New York and others. Contact: Nancy Kricorian, nancy@codepinkalert.org.
Philadelphia, PA: March 19
* 12 p.m. Rally on March 19 at Philadelphia City Hall, Market & Broad Sts.
Sponsored by Brandywine Peace Community, Delaware River Area CODEPINK and more. Contact: Domenic Roberti, droberti@sju.edu.
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.
(818) 275-7232LATEST NEWS
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Since the Trump administration invaded Venezuela to abduct President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend, Graham Platner, a military veteran and Democratic US Senate candidate from Maine, has been calling out not only the attack, but also the Republican lawmakers who enabled it—particularly Sen. Susan Collins, whom he hopes to beat next November.
After the attack, Collins said that while "Congress should have been informed about the operation earlier and needs to be involved as this situation evolves," she was "personally briefed" by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Maduro is "a narco-terrorist and international drug trafficker... who should stand trial" in the United States.
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President Donald Trump—who was elected with the backing of fossil fuel billionaires—addressed the nation after the attack on Saturday and again made clear that he has set his sights on Venezuelan oil.
In response to Trump, Platner called "bullshit," adding, "I watched my friends die in Iraq in the wake of speeches like this one." He also posted photos from the Portland protest and declared, "No blood for oil."
Platner also put out a video blasting the failure of federal lawmakers to pass a war powers resolution requiring congressional authorization for military action against the South American country.
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Meanwhile, Collins has affirmed her support for the US operation in Venezuela, saying in a Monday interview with News Center Maine that Maduro "should stand trial on American soil."
During Maduro's first court appearance in New York City on Monday, he said that "I am the president of Venezuela, and I consider myself a prisoner of war," and pleaded not guilty—as did his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also captured in Caracas.
Amid mounting global outrage and arguments that their abduction violated the US Constitution and international law, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has pledged to force another vote on a bipartisan war powers resolution this week.
Maine's other US senator, Angus King, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, has voted for both previous war powers resolutions. After Trump abducted Maduro, King said that "I'm very concerned about where this leads."
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Under reported pressure from Schumer, Maine Gov. Janet Mills is facing Platner in the Democratic primary contest for the Senate race. Although she has been friendlier to Collins than her progressive opponent, Mills has also called out the Republican senator over the Venezuela attack, saying that she "gave Donald Trump the green light to move us unilaterally towards a costly and unjustified war when she voted with her party against a bill to check his power."
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The new plan opens up drilling in 21 areas off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of Mexico, and six along the Pacific Coast. These are in addition to 36 new offshore oil lease sales mandated in last year's Republican budget reconciliation package.
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