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Sharon Grimes, W A M M
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Women’s Call for Peace a Success
Women Say No to War is gathering momentum worldwide. In January, Code Pink members attended the World Social Forums in Mali and Venezuela and saw broad support for peace. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez became the 30,000th person to sign the Call for Peace. The World March of Women is sending the Women’s Call for Peace out to members in 76 countries, asking them to sign the petition. Code Pink aims to gather 100,000 signatures by International Women’s Day, March 8, when petitions will be delivered to the White House and U.S. embassies around the world. (Metro WILPF, Listen to Women for a Change, Feb. 2006; Code Pink e-mail, Feb. 2, 2006, with link.
Vets Run for Congress to Question War
An increasing number of veterans—about 40 Republicans and 55 Democrats—have decided to run for Congress, including at least eleven Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans. The former army, marine, navy, and air force members believe their experience gives them the credibility to speak out against the war without being dismissed by the Republicans and the Bush administration. Navy veteran Bill Winter thinks one of the things behind the movement is, “We’re not stupid in the military. We know when we’ve been used and misused.” Winter hopes to challenge Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.). Former Senator Max Cleland, who lost both arms and legs in the Vietnam War, said the veterans will be able to offer a “direct rebuttal” on the Iraq War. (“Iraq War Draws Veterans into Politics,” Associated Press, Feb. 7, 2006)
Polluting Military Base to Close
The U.S. military base La Magdalena, located on the island of Sardinia off Italy’s southern coast, will close. For years, pacifists and ecological organizations have been demanding the base’s closure after radioactive pollution appeared in waters off the island. The base, which served as a submarine port, will be moved to another country. (Prensa Latina, Havana, Nov. 24, 2005, in Nukewatch Pathfinder, Winter 2005-06)
Cindy Sheehan Receives Apology
Cindy Sheehan and Beverly Young received apologies after being removed from the president’s State of the Union speech because they were wearing T-shirts with messages about the war. Young, wife of Rep. C. W. Young (R-Fla.), left the gallery, and Sheehan was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct; the charge was dropped. The Capitol police chief said, “The officers made a good-faith but mistaken effort to enforce an old unwritten interpretation of the prohibition about demonstrating in the Capitol.” (Associated Press, Star Tribune, Feb. 2, 2006)
Local Gun Buyback Effective
Project Cease Fire, the Minneapolis gun buy-back program, had received 223 firearms through February 5, exceeding its goal of 200. According to a police officer, that represents 23 percent of what the police seize in a typical year. (Star Tribune, Feb. 7, 2006)
Holocaust Survivors Win Case
The U.S. government settled a class-action lawsuit with Holocaust survivors in the Gold Train case. The survivors lost money, jewelry, artwork, and other valuables when the U.S. Army commandeered a train from pro-Nazi Hungarian forces during WW II. So far, about $4 million of the $25 million settlement has been distributed to Hungarian survivors in need. (Star Tribune, Jan. 21, 2006)
President Cuts Salary in Half to Fund Teachers
Bolivian President Evo Morales has cut his salary in half to $1,875 per month and has said that no cabinet member may make more than that. The money saved will be used to hire more teachers, who make about $250 a month. The annual savings of more than $31,340 on Morales’s salary will pay for ten teachers. (Star Tribune, Jan. 28, 2006)
Troop Reductions Announced
On January 5, President Bush announced troop reductions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The number in Iraq has been reduced to 136,000, the lowest level since 2004. The high was 160,000, when additional troops were sent for security during the Iraqi election. He said the number in Afghanistan will drop from 19,000 to 16,500 this year. Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., the top U.S. commander, said troop levels may drop below 100,000 by the end of the year, depending upon how quickly the Iraqi army and police can be trained to take over and on the success of forming a new government. (Star Tribune, Jan. 5, 2006; Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 10, 2006). |
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© 2006 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete March 2006 Index - click here
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