http://www.peaceintheprecincts.org/index.geni?mode=content&id=238The Plan for Peace Rally on Sunday Sept. 26 drew overflow crowds.
THANKS TO EACH OF YOU WHO TOLD YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, COWORKERS! THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR LEAFLETTING GATHERINGS, SPREADING THE WORD TO YOUR CHURCHES, COMMITTEES AND EMAIL NETWORKS! People came in droves! We energized each other and our elected officials to "keep on keeping on" until Iraq is sovereign and secure and our troops are brought home. It is no understatement that many, many who came to the rally left ready to keep sending the strongest message to our Congress people and to the Bush and Kerry campaigns: stop the killing, start rebuilding, bring our troops home!
Here are some highlights from our press release sent on Monday:
On September 26, 2004, Peace in the Precincts called for leadership to plan for peace, not corporate takeover, in Iraq. An overflow crowd of over 500 filled the chapel at Augsburg College in support of the Roadmap Out of Iraq. Joining the public in support of the Plan were local, state, and federal elected officials who spoke about the failure of the Bush administration’s plans for post-war Iraq. The plan lays down six signposts for securing peace in Iraq and bringing our troops home. The key to the plan is making full Iraqi sovereignty the link to security and to successful engagement of the international community.
”George Bush’s recipe for Iraq has failed, and my sons have been sent to serve in a disaster of this administration’s making” stated Julie Larson, of Blaine, rally speaker and mother of two servicemen deployed to Baghdad and Kuwait. State Representative Keith Ellison of North Minneapolis talked about how the war has cost over 200 billion dollars, representing resources not spent here at home to promote opportunity and prosperity for people in his low-income district. Iraqi-American speaker Salih Radhi “cheered the fall of Saddam” and visited his family in Iraq for the first time in 25 years afterward. "However,“ he said, “the mismanagement and lack of a plan for peace afterward leads me to believe we need an alternative plan and the 6-point Roadmap Out of Iraq plan is an excellent one. It’s what is needed”. U.S. Representatives Betty McCollum and Jim Oberstar pledged to continue working in Congress to advance a plan for peace in Iraq that makes Iraqi sovereignty, not military offensives, the center point for success. Rep. McCollum stated that U.S. foreign policy should be based on human rights, the rule of law, economic justice and international cooperation, not pre-emptive war (our Peace Platform!). Congressman Dennis Kucinich delivered a video-taped message to the rally congratulating Minnesotans for taking the lead nationally to promote a plan that puts sound principles at its center. He said we are leading the way!
WHAT'S NEXT?
Peace in the Precincts is working with Congressman Oberstar and Congresswoman McCollum's offices to craft a resolution calling for Congress to pursue a plan that meets the objectives of the Roadmap Out of Iraq. Congressman Oberstar has committed to advance a resolution with his colleagues.
Congressman Sabo has provided his support of the Plan. Senator Dayton's office is interested in what we are doing, as well.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich has come out with strong support and we are pursuing opportunities with his national network to help make the Roadmap Out of Iraq campaign available nationally! What a gift Dennis has given the progressive community - a national network arising from his national campaign for president.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Write or call your Congress person! Thank you calls are due to Oberstar, McCollum, Sabo, and Dayton. Letters asking Kline, Ramstad and Peterson to support the Plan still needed. Ask Kennedy, Gutknecht and Coleman for a meeting to present the Plan to them - these three still haven't given us a face to face meeting.
Write letters to the editors of your state and local newspapers. Letter writing guidelines and talking points are at www.peaceintheprecincts.org in the Tool Shed.