KC Iraq Task Force Update
Ira Harritt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Peacemakers,
Those who pay attention to the news have noticed that there has not been much coverage of the Iraq war. It is as though the war is already over.
However, the war continues: more than 100,000 U.S. troops and 130,000 military contractors are still fighting and dying in Iraq; over 4,300 U.S. troops and 1 million+ Iraqi civilians have been killed; over five million Iraqis have fled their homes and are internally displaced or refugees outside their country… Now that the deadline for the withdrawal of all U.S. “combat” troops is approaching (August 20, 2010), the pundits are speaking up and the media responding.
The recent Iraqi election is being hailed by some as a vindication of U.S. policy, but at the same time it is being used as grounds for delaying withdrawal of combat troop.
In contrast columnist Glenn Greenwald observed, “It's nothing short of nauseating to watch those responsible glorify what they did without weighing … the extreme amounts of death and suffering that they caused, all based on false pretenses.”
So without our voices reminding our elected officials of the history and present reality of the Iraq war and actively calling for an end to the U.S. military presence in Iraq, more U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians will die, billion more U.S. tax dollars will be wasted, anti-U.S. violence will continue… There is no certainty that peace or that an escalation in violence will descend on Iraq.
One thing is clear though, it is time for the U.S. occupation of Iraq to end; it is time to extract the U.S. presence from the equation so that the necessary political compromises can be forged among Iraqis, so that they can begin to rebuild their devastated country. (See recent action below.)
Join us at the Remember Seven Years of War in Iraq Vigil, Rally, Theater and More event on marking the anniversary of 7 years of war! We are excited about the progress being made in rehearsals for the two readers theater scenes based upon listening projects with Iraqi mothers and U.S. vets and their family members; the Remembering The Iraq War Puppet Play – giant puppets are being made as you read this; and all of the other activities planned for March 20. (See flyer above or Click here to download a flyer.)
In this alert we invite get involved in work for justice and peace: See Five things you can do for peace; join us and tell others about the March 20 Remembering Seven Years of War in Iraq: Peace Vigil Rally, Theater and More, and help plan activities to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
With the passing of the grim 1,000th death milestone we have begun our 1,000+ Postcards for Peace Campaign. We invite you help turn this tragic event into an impetus for a change in U.S. policy! See how you can be involved in the campaign below.
Thanks for your work for a just and peaceful world!
Peace and Blessings,
Ira Harritt
KC American Friends Service Committee
816 931-5256
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here Are 5 Things You Can Do For A More Just And Peaceful World
ÿ Host or organize a showing of ReThink Afghanistan documentary-.Rethink Afghanistan is a ground-breaking, full-length documentary which raises critical questions about Afghanistan which inform the public and challenge policymakers
ÿ Help plan the 2010 Festival for Justice and Peace -The Festival theme will be “Stories of Justice and Peace.” We are seeking collaborations with arts organizations and want to showcase artistic expressions and visions of peace and justice. Our next Festival planning meeting will take on Monday, February 22 at 6:30pm at the AFSC office
ÿ Organize a presentation on the Iraqi Refugee Crisis and What Can be Done to Help for your school or group– a 30 minute to one hour presentation can be scheduled for school, faith and community groups.
ÿ Bring the AFSC some old shoes to use in the new Afghanistan Eyes Wide Open exhibit to use in the new Afghanistan Eyes Wide Open exhibit
ÿ Volunteer to collect signatures for the 1,000+ Postcards for Peace in Afghanistan Campaign.
We welcome your help! Contact us at 816 931-5256 or ihar...@afsc.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sadly we have surpassed 1,000 U.S. fatalities in the Afghanistan War and Operation Enduring Freedom.
With your support we can turn this
tragic milestone into an impetus for a change in U.S. policy!
Help Send a Message to Congress
1,000+ Postcards For Peace Campaign
We are now beginning a campaign to send 1,000+ postcards to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi each with the name of one of the U.S. service persons killed in Operation Enduring Freedom.
· Help us collect signed postcards.
· Contact us and let us know how many cards you want to borrow.
· All Cards need to be returned to AFSC by March 20th.
Contact us at 816 931-5256 or ihar...@afsc.org.
Monday, March 22,
We invited to
KC Iraq Task Force meeting – 6:30pm
Community Festival for Justice and Peace Planning meeting – 7:30pm
Fourth Monday of each month, 6:30pm
at American Friends Service Committee office,
4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Peace and Justice Activities
Click on link or scroll down for more information about the peace and justice activity
March 13, Saturday, Celebrate Sr. Mary McNellis’ 100th Birthday! celebrate her at Argentine Family Health, 3200 Strong, KC, Kan., from 2 to 5 p.m. For info, call Sr. Barbara Doak, 816-221-7417. No gifts, please; donations are encouraged to the Sisters of Loretto.
March 20, Saturday, Remembering Seven Years of War in Iraq: Peace Vigil Rally, Theater and More, 3:00-4:15 J.C. Nichols Fountain, 47 & Main, KCMO and 4:15-5:15pm Unity Temple, 707 W. 47 St., KCMO
March 22, Mondays, 6 p.m., Plan National Gatherings vs. KC Plant, which makes non-nuclear parts for nuclear weapons. Join the potluck at KC Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., KCMO For info, call Jane Stoever at 913-206-4088 and see www.kcnukeswatch.wordpress.com.
March 22, Monday, 6:30pm, KC Iraq Task Force Monthly Meeting, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO we will review recent activities and plan upcoming campaigns re. ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Join us in this important work!
March 22, Monday, 7:30pm, Planning Meeting for Festival for Justice and Peace, date and location to be determined. The proposed theme this year is “Stories of Justice and Peace.” At the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO. Call 816 931-5256 for more information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVERY Sunday: Iraq Peace Vigil, 4pm, JC Nichols Fountain, 47th & Main, Streets, Kansas City, MO http://www.kciraqtaskforce.org/
EVERY Tuesday, JOIN THIS Peace Demonstration Every Tuesday between 5PM - 6 PM in the median strip on the south corner of the intersection at 63rd & Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo. For more information email '63rd Street Patriots' at schwar...@sbcglobal.net
Afraid that President Obama has been taken over
by the military industrial complex?
Hold a house party to show the documentary film
to help educate your family and friends!
Simply invite ten, fifteen or more people to a viewing party in your home or for your school or religious group. We will provide a DVD, informational handouts and a volunteer to help facilitate discussion if desired.
Contact us to find out how to organize a Rethink Afghanistan House Party or to get more information!
Contact American Friends Service Committee
at ihar...@afsc.org or 816 931-5256.
RETHINK Afghanistan is a ground-breaking, full-length documentary focusing on the key issues surrounding this war. The film raises critical questions regarding Afghanistan which inform the public and challenge policymakers.
The film is broken into six segments (Afghanistan Catastrophe, Pakistan, Cost of War, Women of Afghanistan, Civilian Casualties and Security / Solutions) which can be shown in parts so that the length of the showing can vary in length.
To preview the film go to http://rethinkafghanistan.com/videos.php
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News and Alerts
Obama Gives Assurance for August 31 Withdrawal of Combat Troops
Many thanks to more than 1400 of you who took the time to email the White House last week asking President Obama know that we expect him to keep his commitment to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by August 31.
In addition to your emails, AFSC and nineteen other national organizations from across the political spectrum sent a letter to the White House. We called for a clear message that withdrawal from Iraq would not waiver from the August 31 timeline. This clarification was necessary after troubling signals to the contrary from Defense Department officials in recent weeks, saying that troop withdrawal may be tied to the military's analysis of the conditions in Iraq.
On Sunday afternoon President Obama gave the sort of assurance we were asking for. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to withdraw combat troops by August 31 and to withdraw all troops and military presence by the end of 2011 in accordance with the bilateral agreement.
We have thanked our contacts at the White House for this clear message, and expressed hope that in the days ahead the White House will take every opportunity to underscore the unconditional nature of this commitment.
We thank all of you who joined us in sending this message. It’s nice to see such immediate results once in a while!
For your information, here are the remarks by the President on the Elections in Iraq:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-elections-iraq
Excerpt from Pres. Obama’s speech
“We know that there will be very difficult days ahead in Iraq -- there will probably be more violence. But like any sovereign, independent nation, Iraq must be free to chart its own course. No one should seek to influence, exploit, or disrupt this period of transition. Now is the time for every neighbor and nation to respect Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“And as they go forward, the Iraqi people must know that the United States will fulfill its obligations. We will continue with the responsible removal of United States forces from Iraq. Indeed, for the first time in years, there are no -- now fewer than 100,000 American troops serving in Iraq. By the end of August, our combat mission will end. As I said last year when I announced our new strategy in Iraq, we will continue to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces, carry out targeted counterterrorism operations with our Iraqi partners, and protect our forces and civilians. And by the end of next year, all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq.”
Wage Peace,
Peter Lems and Mary Zerkel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter From AFSC And Nineteen Other National Organizations
Calling For No Delay In Withdrawal Of U.S. Troops From Iraq
March 5, 2010
President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20500
Dear President Obama:
We are deeply concerned by recent indications that the Pentagon is developing contingency plans to delay the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq if conditions on the ground worsen. Our organizations strongly support your Administration’s clear commitment to withdraw all combat forces from Iraq by the end of August 2010, and to comply with the bilateral security agreement requiring all U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraq by December 31 2011. Reneging on these commitments by returning to a conditions-based withdrawal plan would undermine conditions in Iraq, break this Administration’s promises to the American people, and violate our binding agreement with a sovereign nation.
News of General Odierno’s suggestion that the U.S. should keep troops in Iraq beyond the agreed timeline made front page news in Iraq and sparked alarm across the political spectrum there. Any attempt to link withdrawal to conditions on the ground would not only violate Iraqi sovereignty, it would provide disastrous incentive for further violence: any group fearing a loss of power in the wake of U.S. withdrawal need only seed further violent conflict to ensure perpetual occupation. This is not acceptable to either the American or Iraqi people.
t is likely there will be increased violence in Iraq as the U.S. withdraws – whether the U.S. occupation ends next month, next year, or two decades from now this transition will not be easy. The US military and political impact on the Iraqi government has delayed the development of a political system accountable to all Iraqis. The U.S. voice must be clear in saying that violent attempts to disrupt this transition and reignite conflict will not be grounds for the U.S. to break its commitment to withdraw from Iraq. Fulfillment of the U.S. withdrawal commitment on the agreed timeline is essential to make way for restored Iraqi sovereignty, meaningful political reconciliation, and future peace.
We have appreciated your Administration’s consistent confirmation of its unwavering commitment to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by August 31, 2010 and withdraw all non-combat troops from Iraq by December 31, 2011. We ask you to restore clarity in the wake of recent mixed messages by reconfirming your Administration’s absolute commitment to a time-based withdrawal in accordance with your existing plan and the bilateral security agreement, not linked to conditions on the ground.
Sincerely,
|
American Conservative Defense Alliance American Friends Service Committee Center on Peace and Liberty Independent Institute CODEPINK: Women for Peace Friends Committee on National Legislation Global Exchange Institute for Policy Studies Just Foreign Policy MADRE NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby New Security Action |
Pax Christi USA Peace Action Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Violence, War, and Alternatives Program The Shalom Center Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Unitarian Universalist Service Committee United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society United for Peace and Justice Voters for Peace |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Brave New Films
Dear Peacemakers,
The military-industrial complex has a well-oiled message machine. Just look at our latest video: despite killing more civilians in Marjah, Afghanistan, than the insurgents, the Pentagon is furiously spinning Operation Moshtarak as a move to "protect the people."
We're working to counteract their message machine every day, especially when it comes to the bloody, costly Afghanistan war. But, we need your help. Can you forward this video to three of your friends?
On Facebook, we're taking the Pentagon on directly. Right now, the Defense Department has 22,157 fans. We have 14,440. We're throwing down the gauntlet: we want to beat them. If you're on Facebook, please become our fan and suggest us to your friends.
As we move closer to this year's fight on war funding, we need all of you with us. Bring your friends.
Sincerely,
Derrick Crowe, Robert Greenwald
and the Brave New Foundation team
Click Here for Brave New Films video on the Marjah, Afghanistan Campaign
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on Thursday, March 11, 2010 by CommonDreams.org
War in a Box
by Norman Solomon
The event on the House floor Wednesday afternoon was monumental -- the first major congressional debate about U.S. military operations in Afghanistan since lawmakers authorized the invasion of that country in autumn 2001. But, as Rep. Patrick Kennedy noted with disgust on Wednesday, the House press gallery was nearly empty. He aptly concluded: "It's despicable, the national press corps right now."
Sure enough, the Thursday edition of the New York Times had no room for the historic debate on its front page, which did have room for a large Starbucks ad across the bottom.
Despite the news media and the lopsided pro-war tilt on Capitol Hill (reflected in the 356-65 vote Wednesday against invoking the War Powers Act), antiwar organizing has a lot of hospitable terrain at the grassroots. National polling shows widespread opposition to the Afghanistan war effort -- a far cry from the dominant lockstep conformity in Congress.
"Apparently, as with many issues in Washington," Congressman John Conyers said in a written statement hours before the vote, "those who are forced [to] bear the costs of war are the first to recognize a flawed policy, while those who profit from perpetual war do their best to blunt any change in course."
Yet the three-hour debate was a step forward, offering a basic clash of assumptions. Cogent eloquence came from many who spoke in support of the antiwar resolution, introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich. The 65 votes for it should serve as a floor to build on.
More> http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/03/11-1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ira Harritt
KC Program Coordinator
American Friends Service Committee