Good News!
by Polly Mann and Lisa Ann Pierce, WAMM
Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against War
Rep. Barbara Lee (Dem., CA) voted against the use-of-force resolution that authorized George Bush's administration to embark on its "war on terrorism." Rep. Lee's lone voice for reason attracted a great deal of attention, from both supporters and detractors. Read Barbara Lee's Statement on the WAMM website. To send her your congratulations, e-mail her by going to www.house.gov/writerep or send her a letter at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515.
The WAMM office sent Rep. Lee a WAMM t-shirt to thank her for her courage and thoughtfulness. She and her staff liked it so much, they asked for nine more for the rest of the staff!
Global Anti-War Efforts
Over one thousand people demonstrated against U.S. war hysteria and racism in Montreal on September 23. More than 4,000 demonstrated on September 22 in London, dressed in black and calling for an end to violence. Demonstrators also marched in Belgium, Hungary, and Germany in opposition to possible U.S. military strikes. In several German cities, protestors shouted, "No Third World War!"
Teaching Peace
In August, 130 grade schoolers attended a three-day "peace camp" sponsored by the University of Rhode Island at Kingston. They were exposed to the teachings of practitioners of nonviolence, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mohandas Gandhi. Organizers plan to expand future camps to five days.
Internationals Accompany Palestinians
To make up for the international community's failure to send a protection force, or even monitors, to the occupied Palestinian territories, foreign human rights activists are volunteering to shield Palestinian civilians from Israeli abuse and military action. Forty newly arrived volunteers from the U.S. and Europe, and two Israeli women, will participate in mass actions to open roads, demolish earthworks and fill trenches around Palestinian population centers, and accompany Palestinian farmers to their fields. The volunteers maintain secrecy about their positions so the Israeli army does not know where they are, forcing gunners to curb random fire.