As Congress Eyes Iran Diplomacy, NOW is the Time to Engage!
Danny Postel
Dear Danny,
Help us prevent war with Iran by promoting engagement with Congress.
1. Watch and spread our video
2. Donate to Just Foreign Policy
A common question people ask us is, “why engage Congress about avoiding war with Iran? Isn't the President the one who decides these matters?”
At a panel discussion on preventing war with Iran organized by Just Foreign Policy for the March 3rd Occupy AIPAC Policy Summit, one of the three peace activist speakers, Kate Gould, Legislative Associate at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, answered this question by saying, “Congress is running the show on this issue.” From the unrelenting progression of sanctions legislation to the ever-present anti-diplomacy bill, Congress is—and has been for years—trying to push us further away from a negotiated agreement—and closer to war.
But some in Congress are trying to use their power for good: there's currently a bill before the House, sponsored by Barbara Lee, that seeks to promote diplomacy with Iran by, among other things, pressing the administration to repeal the State Department's “no contact” policy between US diplomats and Iranian officials.
We're not the only ones who understand the power of Congress—it's why organizations like AIPAC expend so much time and energy lobbying them. That's why we urge you to engage with Congress: to counter bad legislation pushed by organizations like AIPAC as well as support good legislation, like Barbara Lee's bill.
So this is what we're asking of you today:
1. Watch and spread our video about the importance of engaging with Congress to avoid war with Iran.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ilkdy5IZbK8
2. Donate to help us intensify our work in promoting pro-peace engagement with Congress.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate
If you would like to send a check instead, here's our address:
Just Foreign Policy
4410 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, #290
Washington, DC 20016
Thank you for all you do to help bring about a more just foreign policy,
Megan Iorio, Chelsea Mozen, Sarah Burns and Robert Naiman
Just Foreign Policy
