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.

Peace Activists,

I and my colleague have been invited to present to humanitarian organizations in Kabul next week, as part of our work for an alternative, peaceful solution, http://jobsforafghans.orgFollowing is my analysis of the House Supplemental war funds bill and a request for action on Sen. Dan Inouye (D-HI). Inouye is the man to flood with calls. They will take a vote next week. please say, “JOBS NOT BOMBS FOR AFGHANS.” SEE JobsForAfghans.org if you can’t email the synopsis, which is here;

Jobs for Afghans Letter to Congress: http://jobsforafghans.org/lettertocongress.html

Jobs for Afghans: http://jobsforafghans.org/

Thursday, May 21, 2009

http://kabuljourney.blogspot.com/

Inouye Holds Key to Troops Out of Afghanistan by Next Year

by Ralph Lopez

I have a number of people ask me why I’m doing this Jobs for Afghans thing. Why not work to stop the war, and end all funding? This is a fair question. Because I don’t want to end all funding, just the military component, including getting our troops out. And the way I see it, boosting the reconstruction component in a smart way will bring down the violence and make it easier for that to happen.

There is no contradiction between pushing for the pittance in civilian funding which can make a real difference in most peoples’ miserable lives there, and with 40% unemployment and getting enough food each day a dicey proposition, life is miserable, and pushing for an end to war funding. If we pulled out all the troops tomorrow and left nothing but shovels and tools and dropped money from helicopters, it’s 50-50 they would get rid of the Taliban themselves. Which are better odds than we’re facing turning this into a quagmire.

As the House Supplemental Appropriations Bill (Friends Committee Action Page) goes to the Senate, now is the time to call Sen. Dan Inouye (D-HI) and your own senators to tell them to stop the war by fighting it the smart way. The House Supplemental contains $1.5 billion for civilian reconstruction assistance, a pittance compared to the $40 billion military component.

Perhaps a bigger problem is that it is set to get wasted in large quantities like previous civilian aid, due mostly to foreign contractors being hired for unaccountable work and taking huge profit margins. Up to 50% of foreign assistance for the Afghan reconstruction has been taken via multiple layers of subcontracting before a dime reaches the country.

In the end there is no insurance that the funds will end up helping many ordinary (read, dirt poor, the vast majority) of Afghans. These are the people who have seen absolutely no change in their lives since the Taliban was driven out in 2001, and for whom if anything, things may have gotten worse.

At least under the Taliban you ate, perhaps poorly, but fairly predictably. The brutal rule provided some semblance of order. Now you are hungry or starving, and you can get killed by a band of armed thugs as well, who turn into armed thugs because they also have nothing else to turn to (besides the insurgency.) To top it off, the Taliban pays a wage for joining up. Unemployment is at 40-50%. One could be forgiven for believing this is a deliberate recipe for further war.

OXFAM’s Matt Waldman summarized the “aid effectiveness” problem in a report 2008 sponsored by ACBAR, the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief:

• Over half of aid is tied, requiring the procurement of donor-country goods and services (i.e. equipment and material are purchased outside Afghanistan, even if they are available inside.)

• Over two-thirds of all aid bypasses the Afghan government.

• Less than 40% of technical assistance is coordinated with the government and only one-third of donor analytical or assessment work is conducted jointly (meaning, no one asks Afghans what they really need before we shove, say, a new school down their throats in a district where there aren’t many children.)

• Profit margins on reconstruction contracts for international and Afghan contractor companies are often 20% and can be as high as 50%.

• Most full time, expatriate consultants, working in private consulting companies, cost $250,000 - $500,000 a year.

The bill working its way through Congress does not change the way in which funds are disbursed by USAID, the agency which will handle most of that $1.5 billion. It’s not USAID’s fault. These are for the most part dedicated development professionals who do the best they can with the way the politicians write the rules, and with the politics surrounding those rules.

Think of aid effectiveness as traction. You can be moving forward, or just spinning your wheels and wasting gas. The parameters of the Afghan reconstruction in the House Supplemental now going to the Senate is a recipe for smoke coming out of the transmission. What’s missing? What’s missing is a sizable fund of at least $3 billion devoted exclusively to cash-for-work projects, which put money directly into the hands of the poorest Afghans, doing the thousands of day labor projects across the country which need doing.

Cash-for-work projects bypass most of the problems Waldman describes and give traction to reconstruction assistance. They have already been tried and proven successful in Afghanistan. Now they need to be put on steroids.

What Afghans need is a economic “shock and awe”, a “jobs surge.” It makes more sense than plopping a bunch of guys armed to the teeth in the middle of nowhere. The Taliban is not well-liked. They cut off hands and had mass executions. Afghans remember that.

Senator Daniel Inouye, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is the guy who can make it happen. Please call him at 202-224-3934, and fax a letter to him, maybe along with a print-out of this post marked FYI. IN your call please ask him to include “cash-for-work job programs in Afghanistan, as detailed at JobsForAfghans.org” JOBS NOT BOMBS FOR AFGHANS.

It’s time to pull the military-industrial complex from the pig trough.

After you call and fax Inouye, please call as many of these Senate Appropriations Committee members as you can, and fax or email their office staff the letter here: http://jobsforafghans.org/lettertocongress.html

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D- HI), Chairman 202-224-3934 Fax: 202-224-6747

Info on House Supplemental Appropriations Bill (Friends Committee Action Page) http://www.fcnl.org/action/alert_print.htm

Job for Afghans Mission Statement at http://JobsForAfghans.org/

Senate Appropriations Committee:

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D- HI) 202-224-3934

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D- WV) 202-224-3954

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D- VT) 202-224-4242

Sen. Tom Harkin (D- IA) 202-224-3254

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D- MD) 202-224-4654

Sen. Herb Kohl (D- WI) 202-224-5653

Sen. Patty Murray (D- WA) 202-224-2621

Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D- ND) 202-224-2551

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D- CA) 202-224-3841

Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D- IL) 202-224-2152

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R- KY) 202-224-2541

Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R- AL) 202-224-5744

Sen. Judd Gregg (R- NH) 202-224-3324

Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R- UT) 202-224-5444

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R- TX) 202-224-5922

Sen. Tim Johnson (D- SD) 202-224-5842

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D- LA) 202-224-5824

Sen. Jack Reed (D- RI) 202-224-4642

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D- NJ) 202-224-3224

Sen. Ben Nelson (D- NE) 202-224-6551

Sen. Mark Pryor (D- AR) 202-224-2353

Sen. Jon Tester (D- MT) 202-224-2644

Sen. Thad Cochran (R- MS) 202-224-5054

Sen. Arlen Specter (R- PA) 202-224-4254

Sen. Kit Bond (R- MO) 202-224-5721

Sen. Sam Brownback (R- KS) 202-224-6521

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R- TN) 202-224-4944

Sen. Susan Collins (R- ME) 202-224-2523

Sen. George Voinovich (R- OH) 202-224-3353

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R- AK) 202-224-6665

Washington, May 14 - Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) issued the following statement today on voting against H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009:

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) Statement on H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 Thursday, May 5, 2009

The Defense Supplemental funds a number of worthy and important projects, including international humanitarian assistance for refugees and medical assistance for people suffering from HIV and AIDS. I applaud my colleagues, Chairman Obey in particular, for addressing these priorities. Unfortunately, the positive aspects of this bill cannot hide its underlying premise-funding a misguided war in Iraq and Afghanistan-a policy that I believe must be changed.

At its heart, this bill is about increasing and prolonging US military involvement in Afghanistan, which I do not support. I recently traveled to both Iraq and Afghanistan and saw first-hand the very real challenges that our presence creates. Let´s be clear-President Obama inherited two wars and I know he is committed to ending both responsibly. I, however, do not believe there can be a military solution to the conflict and therefore cannot support this bill.

The occupation of Afghanistan will not help us defeat the very real threat of Al Qaeda. Although I am especially encouraged by the “diplomatic surge” and Special Forces´ efforts to defeat the threat of Al Qaeda, our resources could be better spent on diplomacy and targeted security operations, rather than continued occupation. I strongly support President Obama and his efforts to end our presence in Iraq. I believe that the best way to support the President is for me to use my vote to help force a discussion about our strategy and tactics in Afghanistan, and for that reason I am voting no.

We cannot achieve peace through the occupation of an entire country. We tried and failed in Iraq, and we cannot afford to do so again. We need a fresh look at our policy in Afghanistan, and this can only come through open discussion and debate. My action today is not a vote against our military or a vote against our President, but an urgent call for an exit strategy for Afghanistan and a plan for peace and security.

AFGHANISTAN WAR ACTION RESULTS IN 14 ARRESTS AT CREECH AIR FORCE BASE

Saturday, 11 April 2009

Indian Springs, NV – Earlier this week, fourteen peace activists were arrested at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The arrests occurred during a ten-day vigil whose goal is to raise public awareness of the increasing use of unmanned drones in the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Air Force personnel based at Creech pilot the Predator and Reaper drones being used in Central Asia.

The 14 people walked through the open main gate shortly after 3:00 p.m. Air Force security personnel stopped them after they walked into the base. They were seeking to engage in dialogue with the Air Force service members controlling the Predators and Reapers used in Central Asia. In a gesture of good will, they offered to break bread and share pizza with Air Force personnel.

The Nevada State Highway Patrol responded, as did the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. The activists were arrested on the charge of trespass and transported to the Clark County Detention Facility. The 14 are currently being booked and processed at the facility. Those arrested include:

        John Dear, S.J. (New Mexico)
        Kathy Kelly (Chicago Illinois, she has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize)
        Dennis DuVall (Arizona)
        Renee Espeland (Des Moines, Iowa Catholic Worker Community)
        Judy Homanich (Binghamton, New York)
        Steve Kelly, S.J. (California)
        Mariah Klusmire (Albuquerque, New Mexico Catholic Worker community)
        Louis Vitale, O.F.M. (Oakland, California)
        Jerry Zawada, O.F.M. (Tucson, Arizona)
        Sister Megan Rice, SHCJ (Nevada Desert Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada)
        Brian Terrell (Strangers & Guests Catholic Worker, Maloy, Iowa)
        Eve Tetaz (Washington, D.C.)
        Brad Lyttle (Chicago, Illinois)
        Elizabeth Pappalardo (Crystal Lake, Illinois)

For more information:

Jeff Leys - 773-619-2418 http://www.nevadadesertexperience.org

Gerald Paoli - Co-coordinator, Voices for Creative Nonviolence

1249 West Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60640

773-878-3815 http://www.vcnv.org

Our Troops and Iraqis are Still Dying

March 19, 2009

An Open Letter to the Peace/Anti-War Movement from Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, and Veterans For Peace

After six years of war and the historic election of a new President, we as veterans, military and Gold Star families felt an urgent need to reach out to the larger peace/anti-war movements to make our position on Iraq clear during this time of political and economic uncertainty. Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out and Veterans For Peace continue to stand together in our demand to Bring the Troops Home Now! We ask all those who have stood with us in the past to stay faithful to the cause.

President Obama has announced a plan to gradually reduce troop levels in Iraq. Many in the peace/anti-war movements are breathing a sigh of relief, and suggesting that it is time for us to scale back our efforts to bring an end to the occupation of Iraq. But for our troops on the ground, their families and the Iraqi people, the nightmare continues. They need all of us to stay in the struggle. IVAW, MFSO and VFP have been long united in our call for an immediate and complete end to the occupation of Iraq and will not shift our stance under any circumstances.

President Obama’s plan will result in more casualties and suffering for U.S. troops, their families and Iraqis. To the American public facing hard times here at home, two and a half more years of occupation may not sound like that long — but for our troops and their families it means two and a half more years of fear, pain, and separation in a war and occupation based on lies. Hundreds of the troops deployed in the next two and a half years will not come home alive. Many more will return forever scarred by deep wounds to their bodies, minds, and spirits. Well over a million Iraqis have died as a result of this war — many more will be killed as the occupation continues.

We cannot afford the cost of empire. Today we are in the midst of the worst economic crisis most of us have seen in our lifetimes. Yet our government continues to allow the occupation to drain $10 billion a month from our nation’s coffers. Meanwhile, veterans and military families struggle to put food on the table and get decent housing and adequate medical care. Women and men who risked their lives for this country are often forced to fight tooth and nail to get health care from an underfunded and overburdened Veterans Administration. Hundreds of thousands of veterans are homeless.

The occupation of Iraq is the source of the violence not the solution. Living under occupation the people of Iraq are held back from taking control of their own lives to determine their destiny. The continued U.S. military presence there is a cause of the violence they face, not its solution. U.S. continued interference contradicts the principles of democracy and self-determination our country was founded on.

IVAW, MFSO and VFP will continue to keep pressure on Congress and the President to bring all our troops home from Iraq NOW, ensure that veterans receive the care they need and deserve, and that the U.S. provides resources to rebuild a country we destroyed. But we cannot do that alone. We need your help to reach out to the vast majority of the American people who are completely isolated from the realities of this war. Please don’t abandon this struggle or shift your position before the occupation is over and our veterans and the Iraqi people are on the path to healing.

— Signed by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, and Veterans For Peace

Media Advisory: March 23, 2009

Contact: Timothy Baer (812) 679-9915

Noah Baker Merrill, co-founder and project director of Direct Aid Iraq, will be available for interviews while in Bloomington on March 25th, or prior to Wednesday.

Noah has been interviewed on dozens of radio stations across the U.S., including Seattle Public Radio, Vermont Public Radio, Chicago Public Radio, Pacifica radio affiliates KPFA-Berkeley (on “Voices of the Middle East and North Africa”) and KPFK-Los Angeles (on “Flashpoints”), as well as many talk radio and independent stations.

Most recently, Noah talked about Direct Aid Iraq on Chicago Public Radio on March 20th. http://audio.wbez.org/wv/2009/03/wv_20090320c.mp3

Noah Baker Merrill Phone: (802) 451-6931

Iraq humanitarian aid director will speak in Bloomington on Wednesday

March 19th marked the 6th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Over the past six years, more than one million Iraqis have died and approximately five million Iraqis have fled or been forced from their homes and livelihoods because of war, violent sectarianism, and military occupation. Iraqi refugees have fled to Syria, Jordan, or other neighboring countries. Over two million Iraqis are displaced within Iraq. Hundreds of thousands are now in need of medical attention and humanitarian aid.

In response to the humanitarian crisis, Benefit for the People of Iraq will take place on Wednesday, March 25th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the John Waldron Arts Center Auditorium, 122 S. Walnut Street in Bloomington.

The benefit concert will offer live musical performances by Janiece Jaffe, Deborah & Jonathan Hutchison, and Curtis Cantwell Jackson.

Middle Eastern culinary delights will be a part of an evening of music, education, and inspiration in support of the people of Iraq.

Featured speaker, Noah Baker Merrill of Direct Aid Iraq, will talk about the needs of Iraqi refugees and the work of Direct Aid Iraq. Merrill will also present a new film, “The Rivers,” just released on March 20th. The new film features injured and displaced Iraqis, speaking for themselves, in their own words, about their experiences and needs.

Noah is an Indiana University graduate, with a double major in Anthropology and Independent Studies in Cross-cultural Conflict Transformation. Before co-founding Direct Aid Iraq in 2007, Noah worked for the American Friends Service Committee, as well as working with Voices In The Wilderness.

While in Bloomington, Noah was a member of the Bloomington Friends Meeting (Quakers).

Noah currently lives in Vermont and is a member of Putney Friends Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Noah Baker Merrill serves as project director for Direct Aid Iraq, a grassroots aid, advocacy, and peace-building organization supporting Iraqis in the Middle East through partnerships between Iraqis and Americans. At the core of the work of Direct Aid Iraq is the recognition of relationship building through direct aid as a vital step toward a future of peace for Iraq.

As part of his ongoing work, Noah participates in frequent consultations with international humanitarian organizations, UN staff, and representatives of Iraqi civil society and political groups. During travels in the Middle East, he conducts interviews with Iraqi families and assesses developments in the humanitarian and political situation in Jordan, Iraq, and the region. During travels in the United States, he shares the stories of Iraqis displaced by war, chaos, and occupation – stories of injustice, tragedy, dignity, and hope.

The Iraqi and American members of the Direct Aid Iraq team are involved in advocacy and service work with and on behalf of Iraqis facing acute needs. Their work involves ensuring that Iraqis gain access to needed medical care, improving delivery of services, providing material aid, reporting human rights abuses, accessing and disseminating information about services to refugees, facilitating freer movement for internally displaced Iraqis and refugees, working to secure the release of detained Iraqis, and sharing the stories of the people who are Iraq’s future, Iraqis themselves.

Funds raised at the March 25th Benefit will go to Direct Aid Iraq. More can be learned about Direct Aid Iraq at their website: http://www.directaidiraq.org/about/

Benefit tickets ($15) are now available at Howard’s Bookstore and Athena in Bloomington, and will also be on sale at the door.

Questions about the event can be directed to or by calling (812) 988-1917.