By CAITLIN DONNELL Colorado Daily Staff
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 8:47 PM MDT
As part of a nationwide action today, a coalition of concerned Coloradans will be taking part in a “Declaration of Peace,” in an effort to end the war in Iraq.
The peace group, helmed locally by members of the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, has already presented copies of the peace pledge to Congresspersons to sign, and today the group will return to the Congressional offices for the signed - or unsigned - pledges of peace.
As part of the pledge, the plan for peace in Iraq includes “a prompt timetable for withdrawal of troops and closure of bases; a peace process for security, reconstruction and reconciliation; and the shift of funding for war to meeting human needs,” according to the Web site for the Declaration of Peace.
“I think that over time, all antiwar activities are making an impact. It’s very hard to stop a war once it starts,” said Carolyn Bninski, staff person for the international collective for the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center.
“The efforts of people who continually speak out against the war, have demonstrations, go to congressional offices and try to be as public as possible are all parts of trying to end the war,” Bninski said.
Throughout the day, the group will be visiting the offices of Senator Ken Salazar, Congresswomen Marilyn Musgrave, Candidate Angie Paccione, Senator Salazar’s Colorado State Director Jim Carpenter, Congressman Mark Udall and Congresswoman Diana DeGette.
Lawrence Pacheco, spokesman for Congressman Udall, said he (Pacheco) is unfamiliar with the Declaration of Peace happenings tomorrow and does not know if Congressman Udall will sign the pledge or not. However, Pacheco said that Congressman Udall’s stance on the war in Iraq is that ᅓ� needs to be a year of transition in Iraq.”
Bninski said she would be surprised to see many signatures on the pledge from the different senators and congresspersons on today’s roster of visitations.
“I’m not saying that today will be the defining moment, but it’s just one more part of a long-term type of pressure that we need to bring to bear on Congress to not continue supporting the war,” Bninski said.
Citizens from Boulder and Denver will be a part of a larger, ongoing national movement that will be taking place in capitals and cities across the country in an effort to end the in Iraq.
Please contact Caitlin Donnell in regard to this story at (303) 443-6272, ext. 113, or at editor@coloradodaily.com.