|
|
|
|
|
|
by Sharon Grimes, W A M M
|
Wisconsinites Vote to Withdraw Troops
A referendum calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq was approved April 4 by Wisconsin voters in 24 of 32 communities. In Madison, 68 percent of voters supported the referendum.
Women Say No to War
Six Iraqi women visited more than 75 U.S. cities in more than 20 states as part of CODEPINK’s Women Say No to War campaign during March and April. They spoke about how difficult life is in Iraq and stressed “the need to end the occupation so that Iraqis can determine their own future.” They spoke to students, teachers, community organizers, elected officials, policy makers, and the general public. Press coverage was extensive and the women were praised for their courage in speaking out. (April 5, 2006, e-mail from CODEPINK)
Women’s Rights in Pakistan Advanced
Because of the courage of Mukhtar Mai, more women in Pakistan are willing to prosecute rapes and acid attacks, and some believe such violence is decreasing. Mai began a campaign to fight rape and illiteracy after her own personal experience. She began establishing and funding schools for girls, learned to read, and helped bring electricity and phone service to her village. Although she has been praised for her efforts, her success comes at a price. “The traditional landowners want me dead,” she said. “And the government doesn’t want me around, either.” (from an article by Nicholas Kristof, April 4, 2006, New York Times)
WAMM Member featured in The Catholic Spirit
It is encouraging news that The Catholic Spirit, a conservative paper, published an antiwar commentary, “Why aren’t more Christians against war in Iraq?” by Polly Mann. In the article she wrote of the human as well as the monetary costs of the war, and said that although the Pope and leaders of mainstream Protestant churches have denounced the war, most Christian churches remain silent.
Jerusalem Youth Spearhead Interfaith Giving
The Jerusalem Youth Interfaith Encounter announced that they would collect leavened food, which is forbidden to be eaten by Jews during Passover, and distribute it to Muslim and Christian people in need. They said that normally the food would be burned, but instead, by giving it away they hope to contribute to inter-religious reconciliation. They also held a study session devoted to the issue of giving charity to people of another religion. The Interfaith Encounter Association is dedicated to promoting peace in the Middle East through interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural study. It believes that “rather than being a cause of the problem, religion can and should be a source of the solution for conflicts that exist in the region and beyond.” (Online: www.interfaith-encounter.org)
Electronic Voting Setback
Diebold electronic voting machines were dealt a blow by Maryland’s House of Delegates in March. By 137-0, they voted to replace the machines with optical scanning equipment that will provide paper ballots. During the same week a Texas election using electronic voting machines showed at least 100,000 extra votes. Election officials claimed they knew which votes to eliminate to correct the vote. In 2004, security experts demonstrated to the Maryland legislature that they were able to hack into the machines and change the election outcome. Maryland’s governor said he would sign the legislation if it passes the state senate. (New York Times, March 23, 2006)
ACLU Wins Crucial Suit
Videotapes and photographs of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison will be released. The American Civil Liberties Union had sued under the Freedom of Information Act when the government refused to release the images in 2004. After Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York ruled that the images must be released, the Department of Defense appealed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. On March 28 they dropped the appeal. (The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, press release, March 28, 2006)
South Korean Feminist Nominated for Prime Minister
Han Myeong Sook, 62, a feminist legislator imprisoned under South Korea’s former military dictatorship, was nominated as the country’s first female prime minister. (Star Tribune, March 25, 2006) |
|
|
|
© 2006 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
|
 |
|
Complete May 2006 Index - click here
|
|
 |
|
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
|
|
|
|
|
