The Declaration of Peace

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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Oregon Says: “Cut the Funding! - Stop the War!”

Eugene PeaceWorks (EPW) wants your help to stop the ongoing spending for War in Iraq.

Despite the renewed opposition to the war with the most recent election, congress is telling us that they plan to continue funding it. Many congress people who have voted against and spoken out against the war have continued to vote for enormous spending packages that ultimately allow the war to continue.

Many are calling to oppose the war and resist the “surge” of new troops. Many include a call to bring troops home. An important piece to ending the war must include opposition to the constant spending for the war.

EPW wants your support to stop an upcoming spending bill for the war and the continual support of these spending packages from some OR congress people.

Sign the Petition and see more at: http://www.efn.org/~eugpeace/Cut_Funding.html

Mar. 22, 2007
By Tony Fuller and Barney Lerten
See KTVZ.com for photo and video news coverage.

Listen to the Interview by Scott Burgwin on the Occupation Project Radio

Six women showed up for a meeting Tuesday at Rep. Greg Walden’s Bend office, wanting to personally urge him to oppose any more funding for the war in Iraq. That began a sit-in, and nearly 12 hours later, despite an offer to chat with him the next day - if they left - they still refused to leave and were arrested on criminal trespass charges, officials said.

In a statement issued Thursday, Walden’s office claimed the women were ordered removed only after they tried closing the office door, and one apparently urinated into a bottle. They had been told that if they went down the hall to use the bathroom, they could not return to the sit-in, and one eventually left the office to do so, but was still in the building and arrested.

The six women - Margaret Brookover, Frances Davis, Ann Havill, Francis “Betsy” Lamb, Peggy Miller and Kathleen Paterno - were taken to the Deschutes County Jail, booked on second-degree criminal trespass charges (a misdemeanor) and released around 11:45 p.m., said a jail officer.”

All we are saying, is give peace a chance” - the mothers and grandmothers held hands and sang John Lennon’s tune in the conference room of Walden’s office on Hawthorne Avenue, which they occupied from 10 a.m. on, reading the names of Iraqis and Americans killed in Iraq, marking each name with the ringing of a small bell.

Each woman was taking part in the sit-in for her own reason, part of the Code Pink Women for Peace movement carrying out similar events around the country. But all agreed they want this war to end - now.

“We set up an appointment to speak with Walden (from) Washington and present information about the war,” said Lamb.

Davis said, “It was a war based on lies. If you want to be graphic about it, we’re the ‘weapons of mass destruction.’”

Another participant said, “We want the troops home now, and we don’t want (the war) extended to Iran.”

The congressman’s office closed at 5, the building an hour later, but they weren’t leaving without what they came for, a talk with Walden. Finally, Walden’s Bend constituent representative, Judy Trego brought an offer to the table.

“We have arranged a conference call with the congressman tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, 15 minutes with just you and him, but if we could wrap this up tonight,” Trego said.

The women negotiated with Walden’s aide, but in the end decided to stick to their original plan, to wait and hear from Walden directly.

Hours passed, and Walden’s office, along with the building’s landlord, decided to have the six women removed. That happened around 9:45 p.m., and the women left quietly, their hands cuffed behind their backs and put into a police car.

Walden’s press secretary, Andrew Whelan, released the following statement Wednesday regarding the events that transpired at the congressman’s Bend district office Tuesday:

“A group of anti-war protestors who said they were affiliated with Code Pink arrived at Congressman Greg Walden’s Central Oregon Office in Bend at 10 am Tuesday for a scheduled appointment with Constituent Services Representative Judy Trego. They demanded a commitment from the Congressman for an immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq, the immediate cessation of all funding for the troops and a prohibition on any military action involving Iran. After a brief discussion, the six women proceeded to conduct a 12-hour sit-in in the Congressman’s personal office. Judy, who staffs the one-person office, accommodated them for the rest of the work day, despite their interruptions. She made sure they had access to water and agreed to their request to watch the local news so they could see themselves on television. At approximately 6:10 pm, she offered them the opportunity to have a video conference with Congressman Walden on Wednesday, March 21, but only if they wrapped up their protest and left peacefully. After nearly 30 minutes of private discussions among themselves, including cell calls from them to others, they declined that opportunity and continued their sit-in.

“At approximately 7:30 pm, one of the protestors asked if she left to use the restroom down the hall would she be allowed to return to the sit-in. Judy informed her that she could use the restroom, but if she left the sit-in she would not be allowed to return. The protestor expressed understanding, but disappointment, and resumed her sit-in.

“At approximately 8 pm, one of the protestors left to use the restroom, and was not allowed back into the office and apparently departed the office building. At approximately 9 pm, the protestors closed the door to Congressman Walden’s personal office. When Judy informed the remaining five protestors that the door had to remain open, one of the protestors told Judy that if that were the case then she was ‘going to see the woman’s bare butt,’ and the implication was that the woman was urinating.

“The Bend City Police were called and the protestors were removed, along with the bottle the protestor allegedly urinated in, from the office at approximately 10 pm.”

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski joined the growing number of state and local leaders coming forward to publicly oppose the Iraq war in a meeting with the Oregonian newspaper editorial board. (Oregonian newspaper, October 7, 2006.) Kulongoski, who at one point supported President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq, now says the war is “just spinning out of control and the United States should set a strict time table for getting out.” Kulongoski said that, like a growing majority of the American public, he believes the continued presence of U.S. troops in Iraq “is making things worse” and added, “I don’t think this is good for America.”

As Commander In Chief of the Oregon National Guard, the Governor, a former Marine, has traveled to Iraq and has attended nearly every funeral of Oregon soldiers killed there.

The Governor’s statements reflect public opinion in a state that has lost more than 70 natives in the Iraq war, predominantly National Guard troops, and has spent almost three billion of its tax dollars on subsidizing the war, while suffering from rising cutbacks in federal funds for education, housing, and human services.
“We wholeheartedly agree with the Governor,” said Francie Royce of Oregonians Against the War, one many organizations supporting a rapid exit strategy. “It is our strong belief that no war can end without a plan and negotiations.”

“As family members of those who have served in Iraq, we support the Governor in his efforts to end this disaster of a war,” said Michael Taylor, father of a soldier who served in Iraq and member of Military Families Speak Out Oregon. “Bringing the troops home now is the best way to honor our fallen soldiers and all who have served, and we are pleased that the Governor is with us on this”.

Thousands of Oregonians have signed petitions, sent letters, and met with the Governor and his staff to urge him to take a strong public position against the war. On March 19, 2006, on the third anniversary of the Iraq war, Portland was the site of the largest rally and march against the war in the United States, drawing more than 10,000 people from around the state.

Several member of Oregon’s congressional delegation have taken strong positions against the war, as well. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, for example, has opposed the war on national television and is currently sponsoring public forums on the issue. “This too, is an example of the leadership Oregonians expect of their elected officials,” said Kelly Campbell, Portland Area Peace Director for the American Friends Service Committee. “We hope that more elected officials will follow their example and call for the troops to come home now.”

Oregonians Against the War.

Thursday, September 28 By Theresa Hogue
Gazette-Times reporter

Corvallis peace activist Leah Bolger of the local branch of Veterans for Peace has been arrested again in Washington, D.C. for her anti-war, anti-torture activities.

Bolger spent Wednesday night in a downtown Washington, D.C. jail after being arrested that afternoon in the House of Representatives. She interrupted a House debate on H.R. 6166, the Military Commissions Act of 2006, shouting down a speaker who was in favor of the bill.

H.R. 6166 will allow the creation of military commissions to prosecute terrorism suspects, as well as allowing interrogation techniques that do not fall into the category of torture, rape or biological experiments. Opponents call the bill unjust and claim it violates the Geneva Convention and allows the use of some forms of torture.

Bolger, speaking by cell phone shortly after she was released from jail Thursday afternoon, said she was charged with a misdemeanor charge of unlawful conduct disrupting Congress. She pled not guilty during her arraignment Thursday, and will stand trial Nov. 7. She faces up to six months in jail if found guilty, but said she would more likely face a large fine.

She said she was held overnight because of her previous arrest in front of the White House last week after attempting to deliver a large version of the International Declaration of Peace.

She returns to Oregon today, but will fly back to D.C. for her trial.

Theresa Hogue is features reporter for the Gazette-Times.

Festive rally marks world day for peace

Corvallis Gazette-Times
By Theresa Hogue
September 22, 2006

CORVALLIS, OREGON - More than a hundred pinwheels cheerfully spun alongside Fourth Street Thursday evening, their colorful whorls lining the edge of the courthouse lawn.

To LoErna Simpson, organizer of Corvallis’ commemoration of International Peace Day, the pinwheels were evidence that community members of all ages were participating in the event, even if it was simply their artwork that ended up on the lawn of the Benton County Courthouse.

“I’m thrilled,” she said, after looking at the pinwheels, and scrunching her face as an unaware rally participant trod on one. Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis made 153 of the pinwheels, and church youth groups made others.

While the rally participants numbered just a little more than the pinwheels, the mood was festive, more so due to the live music and the craft tables full of paper pinwheel supplies that kept the younger crowd, and their parents, engaged.

Oregon State University senior Anne Yemaya and her 4-year-old daughter, Mehalia Irvine, were busy at one of the craft tables. As a mom, a student and an employee, Yemaya said it isn’t always easy to participate in social activism, and the peace rally was her first such event in Corvallis.

“I try to make it more so,” she said of keeping activism as a priority.

Simpson said Pinwheels for Peace was a national project, started last year, that commemorates International Day of Peace by involving students in art projects. More than half a million pinwheels were placed across the nation last year on Sept. 21, the day chosen to honor peace and call for ceasefires across the world.

Music, poetry and speeches were all on tap for the Corvallis celebration, which included the second performance by “The Raging Grannies,” the new local incarnation of a national phenomenon.

Not all the members of the group were grannies, but the singers dressed in aprons, hats and little-old-lady attire, using the outfits to juxtapose the radical, and often funny, lyrics they spouted.

“We follow the tradition of elder women sharing their wisdom and caring to improve the future,” said organizer and “granny” Rachel Ozretich, after the group sang the words, “Are you sleeping, are you sleeping, Uncle Sam? Uncle Sam? Anti-war bells ringing, hear the people singing, ‘No more war, no more war.’”

Bolger arrested at White House

Meanwhile, across the country, Corvallis resident Leah Bolger, a member of Veterans for War, reported that she had been arrested in front of the White House earlier Thursday.

Bolger, who is spending a month in the nation’s capitol participating in peace-related activities, was arrested with 34 other demonstrators after attempting to deliver a large version of the International Declaration of Peace to the White House.

She and the others were charged with demonstrating without permits, and were booked and released. They will likely face a $75 fine.

Bolger said the arrest was worth the hassle, and said peace activists are frustrated with the current situation. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans do not favor the war in Iraq and want, at the least, a timeline for troop withdrawal, but she is not seeing those numbers reflected in participation at peace rallies.

“You don’t see it out in the street, and that’s what so curious about it.”

link to Portland Mercury Blogtown section

Posted by Amy Jenniges at 12:57 PM

Matt Davis just called in a report from the World Trade Center, on SW Salmon downtown.

Nine anti-war protesters (including one who’s holding a baby) are camped out at the base of the escalator that leads into the building (it’s a weird building—basically, they’re on the outside plaza, barred from entering the building). They’re demanding a meeting with Senator Gordon Smith—or one of his staffers—and they’re refusing to leave until that happens.

It’s likely they’ll be arrested soon, says Matt, because they’re on private property (at the public Federal Building, where another anti-war sit in happened last spring, the activists were arrested when the building closed at the end of the day). There are four cops standing around, in addition to the building’s security guards. The activists are with Civil Resist Portland—the group that organized a similar sit in last spring at Senator Wyden’s office—and four are freshmen from Lewis and Clark, affiliated with the group Students for a Democratic Society. “There are about 300 actions like this starting today around the country,” says Kelly Campbell with the American Friends Service Committee. She’s on the scene, lending support to the action. Their message? “It’s time to end the war in Iraq. Here in Portland there are nine people ages 18 to 55, who are trying to get a meeting with Senator Smith to get him to sign the declaration of peace,” and co-sponsor a bill that would end the war, Campbell says. “They’ve been prevented from going up to his office,” Campbell adds. “They were prevented by police and security from even getting onto the escalator.” Samantha Downs, one of the Lewis and Clark freshmen, says the activists gathered at 9 am—she doesn’t recall when they tried to enter the building.

“But we are now sitting in front of the world trade stairs leading up to Senator Smith’s office, and we are waiting for him to possibly send a representative down to speak with us. And until he does that we are going to continue sitting here,” Downs says. She’s not sure how long they’ll be allowed to block the escalator before the police move in to arrest them. “They really aren’t answering any of our questions right now. We’re pretty much just going to stay here until something does happen or until the place closes.”

Matt checked in with the cops to see when the cops might make a move: “Hopefully it won’t take that long because I’m hungry,” Police Officer Mark Friedman told Matt.

Stay tuned…

Link to photos of Portland sit-in