Press Release —
CENTRAL OREGON RALLIES FOR PEACE WITH A ‘DIE-IN’
BEND, OREGON
September 14, 2007
The people of Central Oregon under the leadership of local and national peace groups gathered on Friday in front of the offices of our elected representatives to implore them to act on behalf of the American people.
On Hawthorne Street outside the offices of Senators Wyden and Smith and Congressman Walden, a number of local peace activists gathered for readings and street theater to mourn the US troops as well as the Iraqi civilians who are victims of the war.
During the week of September 14 – 21, 2007, at congressional offices across the country, nonviolent actions are occurring to end the funding for the war in Iraq and to establish a comprehensive peace plan. According to Kathy Paterno, spokesperson for the event, this political action was planned to coincide with the report of General Petraeus, President Bush’s speech from the Oval Office and the upcoming request for additional funds from Congress to finance the war. “This week we’re being bombarded with a public relations campaign aimed at rationalizing an endless war and instilling fear of terrorism in the American people,” said Paterno.
A delegation from the group visited the Senators’ and Congressman’s offices to deliver a Declaration of Peace Comprehensive Plan for Iraq. The Comprehensive Plan consists of nine points including a safe withdrawal of US troops, an end to further military funding, support to the Iraqi people for reparations, closing of bases, and an end to US attempts to control Iraqi resources.
“Congress has the constitutional right and a moral responsibility to use the power of the purse to withdraw all U.S. soldiers and contractors from Iraq on a rapid and binding schedule,” Paterno explained.
At noon, the vigil spilled into the street as several people took part in a ‘die-in’. Mourners surrounded the fallen who represented dead Iraqi civilians and US military. Because the street drama blocked the flow of traffic, the police arrived on the scene. At this time, most of those involved in the street drama moved back to the sidewalk.
One activist, Betsy Lamb, chose to show her commitment to ending the war by an act of civil disobedience, refusing to move from the street.
Because of this, she was arrested for disorderly conduct.
When asked why she would risk arrest, Lamb responded by saying, “Some feel so strongly and are so frustrated that their voices have not yet been heard, that they cannot resist what they feel called to do: to put their bodies ‘on the line’ to get the message across.” She said “I am a person of faith and my faith compels me to do what I can to promote peace, even at personal risk.”
The peace action was sponsored by the local CODEPINK chapter, Central Oregon Peace Network (Bend); Human Dignity Advocates (Prineville); Human Dignity Coalition (Bend); Interfaith Action for Justice (Redmond); Peace Center of Central Oregon (Bend); and Witness for Peace Northwest (Central Oregon), in conjunction with the Declaration of Peace “Days of Decision” Campaign.