Polls show a majority of U.S. citizens want our troops out of Iraq. So do the Iraqi people. So do many in the Iraqi government. Even within the U.S. military, only 35 percent support Bush’s handling of the war.
In spite of this, the President is ramping up the war in Iraq, and an attack on Iran could be next.
Who has the power to decide?
“We the people.” Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war and determine where our tax money goes, but Congress answers to us.
Whatever your view, if you are a citizen of the U.S., you have the power to help determine what our government does. Here are some resources to make your voice heard:
1. Contact your representative in Congress. For a sampling of key legislation being considered in Washington, see the YES! Peace Page.
2. Write a letter to the newspaper. The letters sections are widely read. Or call in to a talk show. Or call your favorite television station and ask them to cover all sides of the issue. Here’s where you can find a listing of local and national media.
3. Get your city or town to pass a resolution. Cities for Progress shows how to do it, including examples of letters and petitions, toolkits, and resource guides.
4. Join in one of the many marches taking place on March 17, the fourth anniversary of the war, in Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and elsewhere.
5. Consider nonviolent direct action. “The Occupation Project: A Campaign of Sustained Nonviolent Civil Disobedience to End the Iraq War,” is organizing activities mostly centering on March 16-19. Get training in nonviolent civil disobedience during National Nonviolence Training Week, February 17-25.
6. Support our Troops, including those who resist going to war. The court martial of Lt. Watada, the first U.S. military officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, will begin February 5, and supporters are mobilizing around the nation.
7. Sign on to an ad by Rabbi Michael Lerner and Rev. Tony Campolo for Tikkun describing a way to peace, to be published in major U.S. newspapers.
8. Attend a worship service with the Christian Peace Witness on March 16 at the National Cathedral, and then a candlelight procession to the White House. Or plan your own local religious event.
9. Sign a petition that reflects your views. Peace Action is opposing military action against Iran; OutNow and United for Peace & Justice are calling for immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
10. Join the Global Virtual Peace March: Avaaz.org is gathering signatures from the international community to form a massive “Internet march.” Already, 89,000 people from over 100 countries have signed on.
11. Learn more about how you can make peace in all dimensions of life. See the YES! Peace Page.
12. Forward this email. Let people on all your lists know how they can be part of the solution.
This is a key moment for our country and the world. All U.S. citizens have the right to be heard and the responsibility, as sovereign people, to guide our government in a wise direction. Whatever your guidance, let it be heard.
Signed,
YES! Staff & Interns
P.S. If you are not already on the YES! list, you can sign up for a regular YES! newsletter featuring the best opportunities for meaningful change.
:: 12 WAYS TO STOP THE WAR
Here are some resources to make your voice heard:
- Contact your representative in Congress. For a sampling of key legislation being considered in Washington, see the YES! Peace Page.
- Write a letter to the newspaper. The letters sections are widely read. Or call in to a talk show. Or call your favorite television station and ask them to cover all sides of the issue. Here’s where you can find a listing of local and national media.
- Get your city or town to pass a resolution. Cities for Progress shows how to do it, including examples of letters and petitions, toolkits, and resource guides.
- Join in one of the many marches taking place on March 17, the fourth anniversary of the war, in Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and elsewhere.
- Consider nonviolent direct action. “The Occupation Project: A Campaign of Sustained Nonviolent Civil Disobedience to End the Iraq War,” is organizing activities mostly centering on March 16-19. Get training in nonviolent civil disobedience during National Nonviolence Training Week, February 17-25.
- Support our Troops, including those who resist going to war. The court martial of Lt. Watada, the first U.S. military officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, will begin February 5, and supporters are mobilizing around the nation.
- Sign on to an ad by Rabbi Michael Lerner and Rev. Tony Campolo for Tikkun describing a way to peace, to be published in major U.S. newspapers.
- Attend a worship service with the Christian Peace Witness on March 16 at the National Cathedral, and then a candlelight procession to the White House. Or plan your own local religious event.
- Sign a petition that reflects your views. Peace Action is opposing military action against Iran; OutNow and United for Peace & Justice are calling for immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
- Join the Global Virtual Peace March: Avaaz.org is gathering signatures from the international community to form a massive “Internet march.” Already, 89,000 people from over 100 countries have signed on.
- Learn more about how you can make peace in all dimensions of life. See the YES! Peace Page.
- Forward the link to our email. Let people on all your lists know how they can be part of the solution. Send them this link: http://www.yesmagazine.org/newsletters/stopthewar.html
Filed under: activism, Anti-War, media, Press Release Tagged: | book of the month
Avaaz.org is launching a climate change campaign early next week. The campaign will feature a 30 second video available in several languages asking people to contact their leaders and to urge them to do something about global warming.
Avaaz.org
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