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Sharon Grimes, W A M M
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Minneapolis Resolves to Protect Civil Liberties
Minneapolis is one of 166 cities that have passed resolutions to protect civil liberties in response to the Patriot Act, according to Brian PaStarr, a Minneapolis teacher.
Israeli Reservists Refuse to Attack Civilians
Twenty-seven Israeli Air Force reservists signed a petition stating, “We refuse to participate in air force attacks on civilian populations” in Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The letter was presented to the head of the air force on September 25, 2003. A similar letter was previously signed by hundreds of reserve soldiers pledging not to serve in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip.
Greenpeace Checks Nuclear Contamination in Iraq
Greenpeace activists were concerned that Iraqi people around the Tuwaitha nuclear facility near Baghdad were displaying radiation-poisoning symptoms. Apparently, after the fall of Saddam Hussein, uranium and other nuclear material stored under UN control in Iraq were missing, and people were using contaminated containers to store water.
Greenpeace took clean water containers to the residents to trade for nuclear-contaminated containers. They also took soil and water samples to assess the extent of any contamination and are calling for a “full assessment of the situation at Tuwaitha and other nuclear sites.” For more information see www.greenpeace.org.
Muslim Woman Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Shirin Ebadi, a lawyer and human rights campaigner, won this year’s Nobel Prize for Peace. Ebadi, the first Iranian and first Muslim woman to win the prize, is a leader in Iran’s reform movement. She was Iran’s first woman judge, but lost the position when clerics ruled in 1979 that women could not preside in court. Her efforts include women’s rights and greater political freedoms and protection for refugees and children.
National Anti-War Movement Still Working for Peace
Win Without War, the country’s largest antiwar coalition, and MoveOn.org, ran an ad in the September 26, 2003, New York Times calling for the dismissal of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Larry Syverson, who was featured in the ad, says, “I’m a patriotic American with three sons in the military, two serving in Iraq. But the leaders they serve have not acted honorably. They have failed my sons. They have failed all of us. At the very least, Donald Rumsfeld must go.”
On September 24, Win Without War rolled out a campaign demanding two conditions on the President’s request for $87 billion for Iraq: dismissal of Rumsfeld and the transfer of governing authority to the United Nations. Win Without War Coalition, MoveOn.org, True Majority, and Working Assets had hoped to generate 100,000 calls, e-mails, and faxes to Congress urging legislators to vote against the $87 billion request unless the Bush Administration agreed to work with the UN and fire the staff responsible for the Iraq policy. Before the vote, 326,671 messages were sent to Congress in opposition to Bush’s request. Representatives Betty McCollum and James Oberstar voted against the measure.
Global Demonstrators Demand Pullout from Iraq
On September 27, 2003, thousands of demonstrators around the world turned out in a dozen countries (including France, Greece, South Korea, and Egypt) to demand an end to the occupation of Iraq. London drew the most protestors with 20,000.
Peaceful Tomorrows Releases Book
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows recently released the book Turning Our Grief into Action for Peace. Peaceful Tomorrows was formed by victims’ family members and is “dedicated to finding alternatives to war as a response to their personal and national tragedies.” They have marched on Washington, worked with activists in Afghanistan, and visited Iraq to try to prevent the war. Their recent book tells about their peace efforts. For information, see www.peacefultomorrows.org.
Peace CD Benefits W A M M
Amaze Me: Songs in the Key of Peace is a benefit compilation of women’s songs for peace. Amaze Me offers a challenge for America to “amaze us” by becoming a leader for peace. Artists on the CD include Ellis, Brenda Weiler, Pat Humphries and Sandy O, and Holly Near. Over 500 CDs have been sold! All CD sale proceeds benefit peace and justice organizations, including W A M M, Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, and Democracy Now! In the Twin Cities, Amaze Me is available at Amazon Bookstore, the Electric Fetus, and Cheapo. You can also purchase the CD online at www.cdbaby.com or www.peppermintcds.com. For more information about the project, see www.peacecd.com. |
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© 2003 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete November 2003 Index - click here
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