The Declaration of Peace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept 21, 2006
CONTACT: Carolyn Eisenberg
Phone: (718) 624-5921
Cell: (347) 743 8401

Brooklyn Protest of Schumer’s Support For Iraq War Set for September 24

“Senator Schumer voted for the war in Iraq and continues to support it,” observed Charlotte Phillips, M.D., pediatrician and Chair of Brooklyn Parents for Peace. “He hides his position with critical sound-bites about President Bush, but when its time to vote he lines up with the Administration.”

Brooklyn Parents for Peace, a network of Brooklyn residents that works to inform themselves about issues of war and peace, is organizing a peace walk and vigil, to protest Schumer’s stand. Scheduled for Sunday evening, September 24, the protest will also memorialize those who have died in the war. Holding candles and carrying placards naming New York soldiers and Iraqi civilians who were killed, the group will gather at 6:30 pm at Grand Army Plaza, at the entrance to Prospect Park.

At sundown (approximately 6:50, when Rosh Hashanah ends), they will walk to Flatbush Avenue, then down 7th Avenue to Carroll Street and left to Prospect Park West. At 7:30 pm, the procession will conclude near Senator Schumer’s residence, with a reading of the names of the dead. Local vocalist Judith Gorman-Jacobs will lead the group in singing.

Members of Brooklyn Parents for Peace were appalled to discover that Charles Schumer was among the minority of Democrats to vote against an amendment to the defense budget bill introduced by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that would have banned the sale of cluster munitions for use in civilian areas. Cluster bombs contain large numbers of bomblets, many of which do not go off and lie wherever they fall. Children pick up the small cylinders thinking they are toys and end up blowing themselves up or losing limbs. Dr. Phillips, a Brooklyn pediatrician commented: “Given what we know of the horrible suffering these weapons cause children, as well as adults, “it I is shocking that a New York Senator would support their use.”

Carolyn Eisenberg, Professor of US Foreign Policy and Co-Founder of Brooklyn Parents for Peace notes that “Senator Schumer has also voted consistently for every appropriation to fund the war. Just recently, he voted against the Kerry-Feingold amendment to bring troops home by July 2007.”

“For all these reasons, we object to Schumer’s leadership,” concluded Eisenberg. “Polls have shown that most New Yorkers—like most Americans—want a real timetable for troop withdrawal. We hope to remind Senator Schumer that he’s not listening to his constituents. And we intend to make his voting record more widely known.”

Contact: Kelly Campbell 503-720-1815 (cell) kcampbell@afsc.org

For Immediate Release
Thursday, September 21 2006

Declaration of Peace: Nine Peaceful Protestors Arrested at Senator Smith’s office in Portland as part of national week of action; insist Senator Smith work to end the war in Iraq

Citizens attempt to visit Senator to ask him to end the war in Iraq are arrested outside office building

PORTLAND—In conjunction with the national “Declaration of Peace” campaign, a group of nine citizen lobbyists attempted to visit Senator Gordon Smith’s Portland office today to insist that he co-sponsor legislation to end the US military occupation of Iraq and sign the Declaration of Peace. The delegation of nonviolent civil resisters was prevented from entering the Senator’s office and was arrested by the Portland police outside the office building as they tried to send a message to Senator Smith and all of Oregon’s elected officials that the time has come to bring the troops home from Iraq.

“The voices for war are loud and shrill. The voices for peace are soft and insistent. I wish to join them,” explained PSU professor Tom Hastings, one of the participants in the delegation attempting to visit Senator Smith. “I invite the Senator to examine his heart and join us by signing the Declaration of Peace and offer leadership out of this disaster. Others have shown such courage; I am willing to believe the Senator can muster it.”

Dozens of supporters rallied outside the World Trade Center declaring that the time has come for a change in Iraq. They gathered around a simulation of a destroyed Iraqi home dubbed, “rolling rubble.” The exhibit calls attention to the impact of the war on ordinary Iraqi families.

Another participant in the action, Clyde Chamberlain wrote: “By my peaceful, nonviolent actions today and henceforth I am putting Sen. Smith, other Oregon Congresspeople and the current administration on notice. I will no longer tolerate or be silent to the lies and deception; the killing, torture, abuse and violence; the inhumanity and injustice. I will be an example of how civilized, intelligent, compassionate, caring people behave.”

The nonviolent civil resisters arrested include:

• Michele Darr, Corvallis resident and mother of six, age 36
• Rachel Joy, Portland State University Student and catholic worker, age 29
• Clyde Chameberlain, retired Portland resident, age 55
• Adam Sanchez, Lewis and Clark student, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) member, age 21
• Sam Downs, Lewis and Clark student, SDS member, age 18
• Mary Sackley, Lewis and Clark student, SDS member, age 20
• Frazer Lanier, Lewis and Clark student, SDS member, age 23
• Rob Ranta, lifelong Portland resident
• Tom Hastings, PSU professor and catholic worker, age 55

The Declaration of Peace is a nationwide campaign to establish a rapid and concrete plan for peace in Iraq, including:

• A prompt time table 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

Activists across the country have been meeting with members of congress to ask them to sign the Declaration of Peace pledge. Portland’s Rep. Earl Blumenauer is the only member of the Oregon delegation to sign so far.

Others include: Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA): Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA); Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA); Rep. John Lewis (D-GA); Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL); Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).

The pledge asks members of Congress to support these bills:

In the U.S. House:

• H.R. 4232: End the War in Iraq Act Introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
• H.Con.Res.348: Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to accomplishing the mission in Iraq Introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA)
• H.Con.Res.197: No Permanent Bases in Iraq Introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)

In the U.S. Senate:

• S.Con.Res.93: Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to accomplishing the mission in Iraq Introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Portland’s action is one of more than 300 events during the week of September 21-28 around the US that are part of the Declaration of Peace campaign, primarily targeting pro-war members of Congress. For more information visit http://declarationofpeace.org.

Local Declaration of Peace organizing is supported by Civil Resist Portland, CodePink Portland, Portland Chapter of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, the Portland Catholic Worker community, Oregon Peace Works, American Friends Service Committee, and Veterans for Peace Chapter 72.

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Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition/Atlanta
www.georgiapeace.org ; 404-522-4500

Friday, September 15, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Gloria Tatum: 404-374-4098 (c); 404-315-6950 (h);
Bob Goodman: 404-378-5424;

ATLANTA – High school and college students and other metro Atlantans will rally in support of a “Declaration of Peace” from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, September 21, at the intersection of Scott Boulevard and North Decatur Road, Decatur. Simultaneous events in dozens of American cities will kick off a week of activities demanding an end to funding for the Iraq war and occupation and the withdrawal of all US troops and bases. (www.declarationofpeace.org)

“Every campus should have an antiwar group,” said Brooke Campbell of Emory Students Against the War, whose brother Army Sgt. Ryan M. Campbell was killed in action in Baghdad in April 2004. “Student protests made all the difference with Vietnam, and they can make all the difference with Iraq. How many more have to die? How many more families destroyed?”

Kirstin Williams, 17, a Decatur High School senior and organizer of the Student Political Action Club, supports the vigil because “this is my way of being heard. Most people think my generation is self-centered and egotistical. But when people see 50 teenagers on the corner standing up for our rights and our future, they’ll begin to take us seriously,” she said.

[For interviews with Campbell, Williams or student organizers from any of the schools mentioned below, call or email one of the contacts listed above.]

Nationwide events Sept. 21-28 were initiated by a call from United for Peace and Justice. Other organizers of the Decatur vigil include Grady High School Social Action Club, Georgia State University Students for Peace and Justice, and the Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition/Atlanta.

Events will also take place in Brunswick, Georgia; and Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Oneonta and Fairhope, Alabama. Other activities will include call-in days to Congress; actions in Washington, DC; and nonviolent civil disobedience in various cities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PLEASE FORWARD

Contact:
Edric Guise, 562-434-1446,

September 15, 2006

Democratic Congressional candidate Jim Brandt responds to Stop-the-War Ministry Team Request to Sign Congressional Declaration of Peace Pledge

Local group urges candidate to support efforts to end the war in Iraq

LONG BEACH, CA – In response to a meeting with members of the Stop-the-War Ministry Team of First Congregational Church in Long Beach last Tuesday afternoon, Congressional candidate Jim Brandt today signed the Congressional Declaration of Peace Pledge. Mr. Brandt is running as the Democratic candidate for Congress from District 46.

The Declaration of Peace is a statement with eight distinct points that call for withdrawing U.S. Troops from Iraq, rebuilding Iraq and stabilizing the Middle East (www.DeclarationOfPeace.org). The Ministry team is a local group of activists, one of hundreds around the country, who seek Congressional support for the Declaration of Peace and who, if that support is denied, have committed to engage in nonviolent protests and/or civil disobedience throughout the nation.

The Stop-the-War Ministry Team has also met with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, who is Mr. Brandt’s Republican opponent in the upcoming election. At that meeting, Mr. Rohrabacher expressed agreement with the Ministry Team that the United States should not establish permanent military bases in Iraq, but he refused to sign on to the Pledge, disagreeing with the remaining points.

Describing Tuesday’s meeting with Mr. Brandt, Dr. Robert Kalayjian, who is a local physician, Vice-Moderator of First Congregational Church of Long Beach, and a member of the Ministry Team said, “Jim Brandt is a bit of an enigma. A businessman who suggested that we might liken the Iraq war to a business with a failing product. A good business will cut its losses and walk away from the product. But he also feels strongly and with heart that we will only see more death of Americans and Iraqis if we try to win a losing situation. I also like the fact that he is willing to stand up and take that position while his fellow Democratic Congresspeople keep talking politically and take no position and speak in circles.”

The Congressional Declaration of Peace Pledge is a commitment by Representatives and Senators to support the Declaration of Peace and to cosponsor legislation that will create momentum for a comprehensive plan to end the war and occupation of Iraq.

The pledge specifically asks members of Congress to cosponsor legislation such as H.R.4232 (End the War in Iraq Act of 2005), H.Con.Res.348/S Con Res93 (about military withdrawal and oil control) and H.Con.Res.197 (No Permanent Bases in Iraq).

Currently, local Declaration of Peace teams around the country are meeting with their representatives to secure pledges of support and to inform Congress about the Declaration of Peace project. This project not only involves direct work with Congress but also outreach to communities all over the country supported by nonviolent protests, including civil disobedience, aimed at ending the war.

For more information, please contact: Edric Guise at (562) 434-1446 or FCCPeace@aol.com.

PRESS RELEASE: April 23, 2008

For more information, contact: Timothy Baer

CLICK HERE for Report and News Coverage of the “IRAQ 2008” event.

“IRAQ 2008”

Town Hall Meeting with featured speaker Cliff Kindy

An Evening of Education, Inspiration, and Discussion on Iraq and Ending the U.S. Occupation

Thursday, April 24, 2008 ~ 7:00 p.m.

First United Church ~ 2420 E. 3rd Street

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana Students Against War and Bloomington Peace Action Coalition are pleased to present an evening of education and inspiration with Cliff Kindy, and offer the public an opportunity to come together to speak out about the war and military occupation in Iraq.

Cliff Kindy, an organic farmer from northern Indiana, pacifist, and long-time member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, has recently returned from Iraq. He will open the Bloomington Town Hall Meeting by speaking about his experiences living and working with the people of Iraq, and give an eyewitness account of life under U.S. military occupation.

Following Mr. Kindy’s presentation, those in attendance will have an opportunity to speak out – To ask questions, to voice an opinion on U.S. involvement in Iraq, or to suggest ways to move forward in resolving the conflict.

During the past five years, the U.S. Congress has approved the spending of more than 560 billion dollars for war and military occupation in Iraq. Since the United States launched the March 2003 invasion, hundreds of thousands of lives have been destroyed in Iraq. Now Congress is considering the appropriation of another $170 billion to continue the U.S. occupation of Iraq into the year 2009, with a decision expected in early May 2008.

The continuing U.S. military occupation of Iraq not only raises serious issues of U.S. national security. In addition, billions of dollars are being spent on war and occupation that could instead go into much needed domestic programs for health care, infrastructure and education, and into programs addressing global climate change and peaking world oil supplies.

For years, a majority of Americans has wanted the occupation to end. But, so far, even a Congress controlled by a Democratic majority has not moved to put an end to the occupation of Iraq.

How can this nation move forward on resolving the conflict in Iraq?

We invite your participation in this important discussion.

All 9th District Congressional candidates, current Indiana members of Congress, and the media have been invited to this important meeting. Bloomington’s Community Access Television Services (CATS) will be filming and broadcasting the event.

Join us on April 24th for a Town Hall style gathering with featured speaker, Cliff Kindy.

Sponsored by Indiana Students Against War and Bloomington Peace Action Coalition http://www.BPAC.info

Timothy Baer Campaign Coordinator, The Declaration of Peace http://DeclarationofPeace.org
Organizer, Bloomington Peace Action Coalition http://www.BPAC.info
(812) 988-1917

Press Release: March 19, 2008

Contact: Joy First (608) 239-4327

THREE PEACE ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AT MADISON MILITARY RECRUITING STATIONS

Madison, WI – On the 5th anniversary of the war and occupation of Iraq, nine peace activists went to the military recruiting stations at East Washington and Theirer Road in Madison at a little before noon on Wednesday March 19. They formed a circle on the sidewalk outside of the stations and began reading names of US soldiers and Iraqis who have died in the war and occupation.

Within a few minutes, a recruiter came and told them that they must leave or the police would come and they would be arrested.

Five individuals continued the vigil outside, while four of the activists went inside to talk to the military recruiters. The activists tried to talk to the recruiters about their concern with our young people being put into harms way by joining the military. They asked the recruiters if they had seen any of the Winter Soldier testimony.

The recruiters said again that the activists must leave or they would be arrested when the police arrived. “This is a public office, paid for by taxpayer money,” said Judy Miner from Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, “Why can’t we be here?”

When the police arrived and told the group they must leave or be arrested, a few individuals left the office. Joy First said, “I can’t leave. My conscience is calling me to stay here. It is my responsibility to call for an end to the military recruiting that provides bodies for the illegal war and occupation.”

The police arrested Joy First, Bonnie Block, and David Nordstrom, charged them with trespassing, which carries a $424 fine.

After the arrests, Joy, Bonnie, and Dave were required to leave the property, but the other activists were allowed to stay on the private sidewalk in front of the recruiting station and continue their vigil for peace.

This action was organized by Madison Pledge of Resistance, a member group of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Christine Glaser, Bloomington Peace Action Coalition, (812) 336-0360,

Hilary Scarsella, Indiana Students Against War, (574) 276-3821,

Erin Polley, Eyes Wide Open, American Friends Service Committee, Chicago, IL, (312) 427-2533 ext. 25

“5 Years Too Many – PEACE NOW!”

Demonstration and Action

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

Bloomington, Indiana

4:00 pm: IU CAMPUS (Woodburn & Ballantine Halls)

4:30 pm: GATHERING AT SAMPLE GATES (Indiana Ave. & Kirkwood Ave.)

4:40 – 5:00 pm: PROCESSION TO COURTHOUSE SQUARE

5:00 pm: RALLY AT MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE SQUARE w/ Speakers (Kirkwood Ave. & Walnut St.)

5:45 pm: PROCESSION TO SHOWERS PLAZA

6:00 - 6:30 pm: SHOWERS PLAZA w/ Congressional Candidates (in front of City Hall, Morton Street)

(see details below) ~ Join us for all or part of the event!

Bloomington, IN — Wednesday, March 19, 2008 marks the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. Five years ago, hundreds gathered around the Bloomington Courthouse Square, incredulous and devastated, when the bombs started falling on Baghdad.

Now hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and nearly 4,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed. Untold numbers of Iraqis and nearly 30,000 U.S soldiers have been wounded. Two million Iraqis are living as refugees in other countries, and another 2.5 million are displaced within Iraq.

More than 500 billion dollars have been spent on the U.S. occupation of Iraq, so far.

The great majority of the people of this country want the U.S. occupation of Iraq to end. Yet, policymakers in Washington, D.C, including 9th District Representative Baron Hill and Indiana Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar, to this day have not used their power to end funding for the war and begin bringing the troops home.

On the 5th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, residents of south-central Indiana will come together in Bloomington, Indiana, to:

• Mourn all those who have been killed, maimed, orphaned, widowed, brutalized, tortured, displaced and impoverished as a result of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.

• Make a powerful statement to Congress that the U.S. occupation of Iraq must end, and that all U.S. troops and military contractors must be withdrawn immediately.

• Demand that Congress seek peace with Iran.

All are encouraged to join the peace demonstrations/action planned for March 19th in Bloomington, IN, and to visit the “Eyes Wide Open” Exhibit on the Bloomington Courthouse Square.

MARCH 19, 2008

4:00 pm: IU CAMPUS • Indiana University students will gather on Campus between Ballantine Hall and Woodburn Hall for a peace march to Sample Gates. • Bloomington South High School “Panthers Against War” will join the IU student march.

4:30 pm: GATHERING AT SAMPLE GATES (Indiana Ave. & Kirkwood Ave.) Hilary Scarsella, a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, will speak about the power of nonviolence.

4:40 – 5:00 pm: PROCESSION TO COURTHOUSE SQUARE This includes a “5 Minutes for 5 Years – Freeze Action” at the National Guard Recruiting Office.

5:00 pm: RALLY AT MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE SQUARE (Kirkwood Ave. & Walnut St.) • Greeting and Passing of the Peace with Sura Gail Tala. • Speakers Scott Russell Sanders and David Keppel address nonviolence and U.S. policy on Iraq. • Participants are encouraged to write messages to Congressman Baron Hill about ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq. • Reading of the names of Indiana soldiers and Iraqi civilians killed in Iraq during the war and occupation.

5:45 pm: PROCESSION TO SHOWERS PLAZA

6:00 - 6:30 pm: SHOWERS PLAZA (in front of City Hall, Morton Street) • Delivery of postcard messages to Congressman Hill’s office. • Invited members of the U.S. Congress and 9th District Congressional candidates will speak about ending the war and U.S. troop withdrawal. Congressional candidates Democrat John Bottorff, Democrat Gretchen Clearwater, and Libertarian Eric Schansberg have confirmed their participation.

On March 19, 2008, between 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Bloomington Friends will host an ”Eyes Wide Open” exhibit, a project of the American Friends Service Committee. Residents of south-central Indiana are invited to see this powerful and moving display of 85 boots representing Indiana soldiers killed in Iraq.

The exhibit on the Monroe County Courthouse Square in Bloomington, IN. also includes shoes representing Iraqi men, women and children who have been killed as a result of the U.S. invasion and occupation. See http://www.afsc.org/eyes/ for more information.

Bloomington’s “5 Years Too Many – PEACE NOW” Demonstration and Action is one of hundreds of demonstrations and actions planned around the country on March 19th. See http://www.5yearstoomany.org/ for more information.

Sponsored by: Bloomington Peace Action Coalition, The Declaration of Peace - Bloomington, Indiana Students Against the War, Truth in Recruiting, Bloomington South’s Panthers Against War, Progressive Faculty Coalition, Just Peace Taskforce of the Bloomington Unitarian Universalist Church, MoveOn.org - Bloomington, and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – Bloomington.

United Methodist Council of Bishops Resolution on the Iraq War

Whereas, the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church, meeting Nov. 9 at Lake Junaluska, N.C., is committed to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world; and

Whereas, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, calls his followers to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9); and

Whereas, “We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ” (Book of Discipline 2004, Par. 165.C); and

Whereas, the cost of the war in Iraq as of Nov. 7, 2007 has been the lives of 3,843 members of the U.S. military, 171 members of the United Kingdom military, 132 members of the other Coalition military, 28,385 U.S. military wounded, and the lives of at least 76,241 Iraqi civilians; and

Whereas the war in Iraq has displaced 2 million persons and forced another 2 million persons into refugee status;

Whereas, every day the war continues more soldiers and innocent civilians are killed with no end in sight to the violence, bloodshed and carnage;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS calls on the President and Congress of the United States and the leaders of all the nations in the Coalition Forces:

To begin immediately a safe and full withdrawal of all military personnel from Iraq, with no additional troops deployed;

To declare that there will be no permanent military bases in Iraq;

To increase support for veterans of the Iraq war and all wars;

To initiate and give strong support to a plan for the reconstruction of Iraq, with high priority given to the humanitarian and social needs of the Iraqi people, such as healthcare, education and housing;

FURTHER, THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS calls United Methodist people throughout the world:

To pray for peace and to have regular prayer vigils for congregations and communities;

To care for all impacted by the war, including combatants and noncombatants by honoring the dead, healing the wounded and calling for the end of the war;

To be peacemakers by word and deed that we may be called the children of God.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Contact: Coalition to End the War, 916-996-9170

10 arrested, including 4 vets and mother of soldier in Iraq, inside office of Rep. Doris Matsui, who refuses to sign ‘Declaration of Peace’

SACRAMENTO – Ten anti-war activists – including four veterans and the mother of a U.S. soldier now in Iraq – briefly occupied and then were arrested Monday inside the offices of Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) as they attempted to get her to agree to a “Declaration of Peace.”

The 10 were handcuffed about one hour into the demonstration around noon Monday, and charged with a “disturbance.” Outside the 12th floor office, dozens of other activists held a “Die-In” to protest the war.

“For the past several years we have repeatedly and politely met with the representative’s staff, and asked her for a meeting, but it has not worked. She still supports the policies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which includes providing more money for the war,” said Cres Vellucci, a Vietnam veteran and member of Veterans for Peace and Coalition to End the War.

“Nearly 4,000 U.S. troops have now been killed and tens of thousands horribly wounded, along with hundreds of thousands of Iraqi killed…it is past time for the voters of her district to not only ask, but demand, that Rep. Matsui officially declare her desire to end the war now,” he added.

He said that Matsui has refused to sign the “Declaration of Peace,” which simply states that she supports legislation to end the war now and won’t vote for any money for the war.

At a similar demonstration in March – on the 52nd day of a “peace-in” at Matsui’s office – seven people were arrested inside Matsui’s offices, including five veterans, as they read the names of U.S. and Iraqi civilian dead. It was the longest such sit-in of the Iraq War.

This month Congress is expected to vote on another war-funding measure – $148 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, including $116 billion for Iraq. Monday’s action coincides with similar Die-In protests across California and the nation this week, and a Monday People’s March to Congress in D.C.