January, 13 2014, 10:56am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Madelyn Hoffman, Director, NJ Peace Action (973) 259-1126 work; (973) 876-1023 Cell
The Rev. Robert Moore, Director, Coalition for Peace Action (609) 924-5022 Work; (609) 937-6931 Cell
Rally to Give Diplomacy With Iran a Chance
NEWARK, NJ
As a Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez and co-sponsored by Sen. Cory Booker is being promoted in the US Senate, threatening to undermine the promising diplomacy on the Iran nuclear issue, there will be a Rally to Give Diplomacy (with Iran) a Chance from 4:30-5:30 PM on Thursday, January 16 in the Plaza adjacent to Gateway One (across from Penn Station) in Newark, where the NJ state offices for Senators Menendez and Booker are located.
The Rally is co-sponsored by the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action, the Bloomfield-based NJ Peace Action, and the Newark-based Peoples Organization for Progress.
Confirmed speakers and performers to date include:
Carol Gay, President, NJ State Industrial Union Council
Lawrence Hamm, President of the Peoples Organization for Progress
Madelyn Hoffman, Executive Director, NJ Peace Action
The Rev. Robert Moore, Executive Director, Coalition for Peace Action and Pastor of East Brunswick Congregational Church
Dr. Shapoor Vali, NJ resident, Iranian American Professor at Fordham University
Solidarity Singers of NJ State Industrial Union Council
Those wanting to join a "Peace Train" from Princeton Junction at 2:38 should purchase their own ticket and go to the car nearest the front of the train to connect with others. The public is invited, and further information can be obtained at www.peacecoalition.org or by calling NJ Peace Action at (973) 259-1126 or Coalition for Peace Action at (609) 924-5022.
In addition to the Rally, organizers plan to present a Grasstops letter co-signed by local and regional leaders from the region advocating robust support for diplomacy and opposing additional sanctions against Iran, which has over 25 co-signers to date.
"It is too bad that our Senators both support increased sanctions against Iran as that approach is most likely to increase the chance of war and military action against Iran, something that the majority of people polled do not support. Now is the time for increased diplomacy and efforts toward creation of a nuclear weapons free/weapons of mass destruction free Middle East. This is the way to genuine peace and security for all concerned." said the Madelyn Hoffman, Executive Director of NJ Peace Action.
"By proposing increased sanctions in direct violation of the Interim Agreement, showing bad faith in the negotiations, Senators who support this bill are undermining diplomacy and, as the Obama Administration has said in threatening to veto it, making war with Iran the only alternative. Polls show the vast majority of New Jerseyans want to Give Diplomacy a Chance, and most experts agree. Senators Menendez and Booker should heed their voices and shelve this bill " added the Rev. Robert Moore, Executive Director of the Coalition for Peace Action.
Peace Action is the United States' largest peace and disarmament organization with over 100,000 members and nearly 100 chapters in 34 states, works to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons, promote government spending priorities that support human needs and encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights.
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