KC Iraq Task Force Meeting tonight & FW: A pivotal moment to end the Afghan war

[Ira Harritt]

Dear Activist and Concerned Citizens,

 

I want to invite you to the KC Iraq Task Force meeting tonight at 6:30pm at the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO.

 

We can use your help in planning activities to intensify opposition to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and increase pressure for non-military strategies to increase security in the region and repair the damage we have done.

 

I also want to encourage you to call to Pres. Obama today, tomorrow and Wednesday, National White House Call-in Days on Afghanistan. (See email below.)

 

Now is a critical time during which Obama will decide whether to send thousands more troops and dig us deeper into a quagmire which will waste many more lives, many more billions of dollars and make us less safe in the process.

White House comment line: 202-456-1111

Or Toll Free-1-888-310-8637

 

Please read the email below and tell Obama – No More Troops in Afghanistan; create a timeline for withdrawal; focus on diplomacy and development!  

 

Thanks for all of your actions for peace.

 

Hope to see you this evening.

 

Ira

 

---

From: Peter Lems and Mary Zerkel, AFSC [mailto:action...@afsc.org]
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 11:12 AM
To: Ira Harritt
Subject: A pivotal moment to end the Afghan war

 

View this message as a web page Dear Ira, Today, we have much news to share about our Afghanistan peace campaign and an opportunity for action. First, thank you all for your calls to the White House last week -- and for your photos and comments on our Facebook Postcards to Obama initiative. Postcard submitted to our Facebook group by a supporter from the Nova Community. This week, we are redoubling our efforts. AFSC is joining with many other peace and justice groups for White House Call-in Days, Monday through Wednesday. And we need your help. Last week, the White House held three meetings to reach out to academics and peace activists, development agencies, and representatives from faith communities to elicit their views on Afghanistan strategy. An AFSC colleague of ours in Washington attended the faith communities meeting, and tells us that the Obama Administration is clearly listening. So, this week’s call-in days are all the more important. Please take action today and join with the pro-peace majority in calling for an end to this war. Call the White House to Say “No More Troops in Afghanistan” National White House Call-In Days Monday, November 23 - Wednesday, November 25 We are at a cross roads. President Obama will soon announce the U.S. strategy for Afghanistan, including the role of U.S. troops. Call him and tell him that more troops will not bring more peace. This situation needs a strategy based on diplomacy, the rule of law, government accountability and development. This long-term vision requires transparent and sustained support for civilian led and accountable community institutions. Investment in civilian institutions helps citizens strengthen their communities, which will help to prevent rather than escalate violence. It also costs a fraction of the price of a military surge. This would mean more money at home for job creation, prevention of foreclosures, healthcare and other human needs. Previous U.S. governments have shown that the U.S. is prepared to invest lives and treasures in war. Encourage this administration to invest in peace. White House comment line: 202-456-1111 Or Toll Free-1-888-310-8637 Talking points: No additional troops to Afghanistan. A timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and for diplomacy and dialogue with all parties to the conflict, without preconditions. Badly needed development aid provided, to be coordinated by civilian-led organizations, not the military. Redirect the more than $44 billion spent yearly on war to supporting real human needs in Afghanistan and at home. Help President Obama make the best decision on Afghanistan. Please take a moment and make your call today. The National White House Call-in Days are being jointly organized by United for Peace and Justice, American Friends Service Committee, Peace Action, CODEPINK, Just Foreign Policy, Voters for Peace, Pax Christi USA, Common Dreams, Historians Against War, and others. Please forward this action alert to your group or community.  Thank you for taking the steps to support a more peaceful world and have a happy Thanksgiving. Peace, Peter Lems and Mary Zerkel American Friends Service Committee P.S. While you are at your phone, won't you call to your Representative and Senators? They approve the money for war and will be asked for additional funds if more troops are sent. United Against Afghanistan Escalation is an excellent companion to this effort that provides contact information for your representative, bills to support, and a grid that will allow you to post the response you receive. P.P.S. For more ideas on what a better strategy for Afghanistan will look like, see AFSC’s op-ed in the Huffington Post. If you’d like, take a moment to share your thoughts on the site as well.

 

Forward this message to your friends. Help support AFSC's worldwide work for peace, justice and human dignity. Make a donation today. American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 http://www.afsc.org/ If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific AFSC list, or update your account settings, you can visit your Subscriptions Page.