Friday, July 18, is Iraq Moratorium day #11.
It is a day, as is the Third Friday of every month, on which individuals and groups across the country take some action to call for the end to the war and occupation of Iraq.
The number of listed events on the Iraq Moratorium national website, IraqMoratorium.org, is approaching 100, with more still being added.
Since it began in September, more than 1,000 events in 41 states and 235 communities have taken place under the Iraq Moratorium banner.
Participants either take part in a group action or do something individually — wear an armband or button; write, call or email their Congressional representatives; put up a yard sign, or donate to a group working to stop the war. Group actions include rallies, marches, vigils, speakers, films and other activities.
There are lots of ideas and organizing tools on the website, as well as reports, photos and videos from around the country.
This month, many peace groups are asking people to contact Congress members on Iraq Moratorium day and ask them to stop a new proposal, House Concurrent Resolution 362, which essentially calls for a blockade of Iran and is steamrolling its way through the House.
HCR 362 is a dangerous bill calling for severe sanctions–far beyond those proposed by the Bush administration–and could be interpreted as an act of war under international law. It would further alienate Iran and could trigger retaliation against our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, blockage of oil shipments through the straits of Hormuz, and potential involvement of other nations in the region. If we want catastrophe in the Middle East, deeper recession and gas at $6 per gallon, this would do it.
United for Peace and Justice, the nation’s largest antiwar coalition (and an endorser of the Iraq Moratorium) has designed July 19-21 as days of action to stop a war with Iran. Details here.
The whole concept of the Moratorium is to do something to interrupt business as usual — to stop what you’re doing on Friday, interrupt your normal routine, and do one thing, whatever it may be, to end this senseless, bloody war.
Will you do something?
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How about it? Will you join us on Friday? Or do you think it’s all futile?
Also to antiwar groups in states not yet represented in the Moratorium. We’ll be on the street in Baltimore on Friday.
…on KPFA – Pacifica Radio a couple of days ago on the past week in Congress, Kucinich’s Article of Impeachment, Rove’s empty chair in the Judiciary subcommittee.
Lee’s disappointment with the failure to achieve real change was evident. She puts lots of responsibily on us, we the rabble (my word, not hers), because we have not been getting out there in whatever form to pressure and push Congress.
A couple of weeks ago there were 200,000 people in the streets of San Francisco for Gay Pride. Hoorah! I’m all for that! BUT, we must get out in the streets in similar numbers to stop the murders, wars and destruction of one country after another, including ours!
Congress will not move unless we push, push hard and relentlessly.
So, as xoff says, DO SOMETHING!
Contact your friends, relatives. We must stop the attack on Iran.
as much as possible, i’m sorry. one more week and i’ll feel a little safer to publically start speaking out again. in the meantime, i wear black on IM Fridays and keep you all in my heart and send a little $ when i can.
Namaste
Old Woman and the Child
He asked,
“It is dark.
Did the comet die?”
She answered,
“Yes, it is dark,
the comet is gone,
dark prayers are planted in the land.
But look,
here, in the round-
we still have our fire.
I tell you,
before they come,
drink blood from our fingers,
eat bowls of our dead,
we’ll show them the river’s source in the stars,
found in each of their palms.
And one-by-one
they will sit down, and remember.”
~~kj