[Peace-discuss] United for Peace calls for March 17 sit-in

[Randall Cotton]

United for Peace and Justice is the group that organized the mammoth NY
demonstration on Feb. 15 (and are organizing another for March 22 - see
unitedforpeace.org).

They are now calling for renewed Congressional pressure nationwide (both
Senators and Representatives) against the war in general and specifically
regarding the current bills in both the Senate (S. Res 32) and the House (HJ
Res. 20)  that would force further Congressional debate before going to war.

In addition, for the first time, they are explicitly calling for nonviolent
civil disobedience in the form of a sit-in on Monday, March 17 in Members of
Congress offices nationwide. Anyone interested in organizing this for Tim
Johnson's Fox Drive office? We wouldn't all necessarily have to get
arrested, but some of us, at least, have expressed an interest in productive
civil disobedience. Perhaps this is your cue =8-)

BTW, Tim Johnson was injured (broken rib/punctured lung) in a car accident
recently (he was at fault), but last report I saw indicated he would be back
on the job next week.

R



----- Original Message -----
From: <list at unitedforpeace.org>
To: <recotton at earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 7:35 PM
Subject: Our Chance to Stop the War and Reclaim Democracy Now


> Dear Friends,
>
> The world stands on the cusp of war - or peace. Each day the Bush
Administration becomes more isolated in the United Nations and in the court
of world opinion. Now, their one major ally, Tony Blair, is losing his grip
on power and it is very unlikely the U.S. can win even a symbolic majority
in the UN Security Council.
>
> It would be foolish of us, however, to become too hopeful, to feel any
certainty that we can stop a blizzard of "precision-guided munitions"
raining down on innocent Iraqi families. The president and his advisors have
gambled so much on this disastrous strategy that they may go to war simply
to save face.
>
> What can we do to tip the balance? Three days ago, on March 9, United for
Peace and Justice convened an emergency national meeting in Washington, DC,
attended by 100 people from over 40 national organizations and local
coalitions, to answer this question. We agreed on a short-term program,
including coordinated local actions, strong responses if Bush does go to
war, and doing the work needed to strengthen United for Peace and Justice
and build a permanent campaign.
>
> Most importantly, we enthusiastically united around an Emergency Action
Plan to Stop the War--over the next two weeks. The highlight of the plan is
a national campaign of civil disobedience in Washington DC, and throughout
the country, starting on March 17.
>
> To be successful, we need your help to carry it out. If every one of the
31,000 people receiving this email takes at least one of the actions below,
and forwards it to everyone they know, we can begin to reclaim our democracy
as we generate a storm of protest and visible outrage aimed at Congress and
the media.
>
> NOW IS TO THE TIME TO DO ALL WE CAN TO STOP THIS WAR.
>
> A. Immediate Congressional Pressure
>
> This week, on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14, call, email, fax or
visit the office of your Congressional Representative and Senators. Demand
their immediate action to block the president's rush to war. Tell them you
will be at their office on Monday, March 17 and will stay as long as
necessary to get their agreement. What kind of action should they take? Sign
on to Rep. Peter DeFazio¹s HJ Res. 20, to repeal the war resolution, or
Senators Kennedy's and Byrd's S.Res. 32, to require the President to return
to Congress for authorization to use force.
>
> B. Join Anti-War Protests in Washington, DC this Weekend.
>
> If you can, come to Washington, DC for the March 15 rally organized by
International ANSWER at the Washington Monument, and stay over for March 17.
On that day, United for Peace and Justice will blockade the Capitol. The
National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, the Iraq Pledge of Resistance
and the National Peace Lobby Project (all part of United for Peace and
Justice) have taken a lead role in organizing this important action. We will
demand that Congress rescind its war resolution of last October and call for
a peaceful resolution of the Iraq situation. Contact
reclaimthecapitol at yahoo.com and see www.unitedforpeace.org
<http://www.unitedforpeace.org/> for more information on this emergency
nonviolent direct action protest, including the time and location of the
civil disobedience training on March 16. We also urge you to participate in
the worldwide candlelight vigil at 7 PM on March 16, organized by Win
Without War and MoveOn (go to http://www.globalvigil.org <http://w!
> ww.globalvigil.org/>  for more information).
>
>
> C. Make Your Voice Heard at Home on March 17th
>
> If you cannot come to Washington, convene your local coalition - or create
one right now - and plan to sit-in at your Member of Congress' office this
coming Monday, March 17. And right away post your action on the United for
Peace and Justice website: www.unitedforpeace.org
<http://www.unitedforpeace.org/> The power of our collective action is
magnified one hundred times by our ability to bring it all together and
"project" it out to the mass media. The media want to hear from us, so
please let us know what you're doing.
>
>  D. Make a Much Needed Donation
>
> Go to http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=160 and make an
immediate donation to United for Peace and Justice. We've set up an Action
office in Washington DC, we're mobilizing nationwide to make March 17 the
loudest possible cry of distress, and we're working to ensure the best media
coverage possible. Your financial support is critical to the success of this
campaign. Send whatever you can, as much as you can--$5 or $50 or $500, but
please send something today.
>
> Time is very short, and we're counting on you. Think about our
responsibilities, as the people of this country, to the rest of the world
and to the children of Iraq. Let us not waste a moment to do all we can to
stop this war.
>
> In peace and hope,
>
> Andrea Buffa
> Leslie Cagan
> Bill Fletcher, Jr.
> Co-Chairs, United for Peace and Justice
>
>
>
> _____________________________________________________
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