[Peace-discuss] For UFPJ member groups: Actions to prevent escalation in Afghanistan

[Stuart Levy]

----- Forwarded message from UFPJ Steering Committee <listmaster at unitedforpeace.org> -----

Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:27:56 -0500 (EST)
From: UFPJ Steering Committee <listmaster at unitedforpeace.org>
Subject: For UFPJ member groups: Actions to prevent escalation in
	Afghanistan
To: slevy at ncsa.uiuc.edu

Dear UFPJ Member Groups,

Sometime soon we can expect an announcement from President Obama about his plans for Afghanistan. Now, while the final decision is still being deliberated, is the time to bring as much pressure to bear as possible. 
We call on your organization to act NOW to pressure the President to choose NOT to escalate the war and at the same time plan actions if he does decide to send more troops.
In this email are 3 things:
1.	Information about a nationwide call-in to the White House.
2.	A call for actions now and on the day or day immediately following an announcement of escalation in Afghanistan (if that should happen).
3.	A sample email to send to your membership about the call-in days and actions.


NATIONWIDE CALL-IN TO THE WHITE HOUSE

Now is the time to flood the White House with calls from people all over the country to make sure the White House knows there is massive opposition to sending more troops to Afghanistan and strong support for bringing the troops that are now there home!

Several national organizations - UFPJ, AFSC, CodePink, Peace Action, Just Foreign Policy, Voters for Peace and others - have agreed to issue a call for a massive nationwide effort to flood the White House with phone calls Monday, Nov. 23rd through Wednesday, Nov. 25th. At the same time, it is vitally important to keep the pressure on Congress which will be asked to fund any additional troops to Afghanistan.

We know that some organizations have called on people to contact the White House this week. That's great! There is no conflict between making calls now and joining the effort next week.

We hope your organization will join this effort by getting the word out to your members, affiliates, and other groups. Below is a sample text for an email that we hope you will use. Feel free to edit it if necessary.  Please let us know that are on board by sending us an email at ufpjafghanistan at gmail.com.



CALL FOR ACTIONS TO SAY NO TO ESCALATION

UFPJ and many other organizations are joining Veterans For Peace in a call to action both NOW and on the day or day immediately following an announcement for escalation. (See www.unitedforpeace.org for full call)
We call upon our members and every U.S. citizen with a love of humanity in their heart to pledge to at least the following actions:
1.   Within the next few days, conduct any of a wide range of local activities -- from calling Members of Congress to nonviolent civil resistance and everything in between -- demonstrating our opposition to and disgust with any decision to widen the war in Afghanistan.  To show unity of purpose, we suggest local "March of the Dead" to Federal Buildings, local Congressional offices and government buildings of any sort.
2.   On the day of or the day immediately following an announcement to escalate the war in Afghanistan, respond again in a variety of ways.  To show unity of purpose, we suggest
 a.   Reach out to a group in your community -- a church, union, civic group, etc. -- and make an appointment that day to go and speak with them about the war.
b.   Return to the streets with vigils, demonstrations, nonviolent civil resistance and be prepared to comment to the news media about the escalation of the war.
Endorsed by: United for Peace and Justice, Veterans For Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition, National Assembly, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Pledge of Resistance, Voices for Creative Nonviolence and World Can't Wait.



SAMPLE EMAIL TEXT FOR ALERT ABOUT THE NATIONWIDE CALL-IN TO THE WHITE HOUSE:

ACTION NEEDED: CALL THE WHITE HOUSE TO SAY NO MORE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN

Monday. Nov. 23 through Wednesday, Nov. 25 -- 9:00 a.m. ? 5:00 p.m. eastern time
Call 888-310-8637 (After a brief message, you will be connected to the White House.)

Now is the time to make your voice heard!

For 3 days people from every corner of the country will be flooding the White House with calls. We oppose sending more troops to Afghanistan; we want the troops that are there now to be brought home! If you cannot get through on Monday, call on Tuesday or Wednesday. Most importantly, make your call and make your voice heard.

Use this toll free number to call the White House: 888-310-8637
(After a brief message, you will be connected to the White House.)

If President Obama orders more troops to Afghanistan, UFPJ calls for protests at Federal buildings or other public places the day of or the day after the decision is announced.

News reports suggest President Obama has rejected the current proposals for additional troops until there is an exit strategy. This could be a good sign but we cannot sit by and assume the right steps will be taken. The first step is to not send more troops. The next step must be the withdrawal of the troops currently there.
 
The decision the president makes will have a dramatic impact on the future of Afghanistan and the stability of the region. It will have a tremendous impact on our country as well: will billions of more dollars be spent sinking us deeper into this war or will we have the money needed for health care, education, job creation and so much more here at home?
 
This is the moment when we can have an impact. 

Call the White House ? 888-310-8637 - and tell them:

o	No additional troops to be sent to Afghanistan.
o	Start the withdrawal of U.S. troops and begin serious diplomacy and dialogue with all parties to the conflict without preconditions.      
o	Redirect the tens of billions of dollars spent yearly on Afghanistan war funding to human needs in Afghanistan and at home. 

It is vitally important to also keep the pressure on Congress. While you are at your phone, won't you call to your Representative and Senators? They control the money for this war and will be asked for additional funds if more troops are sent. 

Representatives in the House should be asked to commit to voting NO on more war money and also to sign on to Barbara Lee's bill - H. R. 3699 - which would deny funding for more troops in Afghanistan. To see the list of co-sponsors: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3699

As a minimum every Representative should also be co-sponsoring Rep. McGovern's bill H.R. 2404, which calls for an exit strategy from our military occupation of Afghanistan. Check to see if your Representative is among the 100 co-sponsors at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2404

Ask your Senators to introduce legislation in opposition to sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and that calls for an exit strategy.

To call your members of Congress call the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or 202-225-3121. If you are not sure who your Representative is, click here http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials/ 

Please share the response to your calls by posting on the website: 
http://NoEscalation.org

In cites and towns around the country, local groups are already planning public activities and protests on either the day the President announces an escalation, or the day after. We encourage you to organize a protest, post any activity you have planned, and check the listings at http://unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php to find out what's planned in your area.  A sample press release is available at http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/409.    

The White House call-in days are being jointly organized by the UFPJ, American Friends Service Committee, Peace Action, CodePink, Just Foreign Policy, Voters for Peace? add more as groups sign on.



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