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Occupation Project: A Local Campaign of Sustained Nonviolent Action to End the War
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by Marie Braun, W A M M
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This local campaign will challenge our United States Congresspersons and Senators to publicly declare that they will vote against any further funding for the war in and occupation of Iraq.
Every Tuesday through March 27 (began February 6,) constituents will enter the offices of their Congresspersons and Senators at 9:00 a.m. and begin a vigil that will last until 5:00 p.m. or whenever the offices close. The plan is not to be disruptive, but rather to be a presence for one full day each week to remind our elected officials that the people of Minnesota want an end to the war on Iraq and that we want them to vote to stop funding the war and to bring the troops home now.
There are team leaders for each office, who will ensure that there is a continual presence for the entire day. It is recommended that the team leaders and those who accompany them, set up a visual in the office, which could include such things as a wreath, a peace flag, a poster indicating the number of dead and injured American soldiers and Iraqis, etc.
It is anticipated that people will be coming in at different times of the day and they are encouraged to bring in poems or other things that they might want to read and leave. People might want to dress in black and/or wear black armbands.
Groups are encouraged not to be disruptive to the work of the office; however, they might choose to quietly read the names of American and Iraqi dead and ring a bell every few minutes or some other meaningful action. Vigils will not take place in the offices of Minnesota Congresspersons and Senators who commit to vote against further funding for the war on Iraq.
The following individuals have been asked to be team leaders:
Senator Norm Coleman: Sarah Standefer, 612-379-4716, scsrn@yahoo.com.
Senator Amy Klobuchar: Marie and John Braun and Barbara Palmer, 612-522-1861, braun044@umn.edu; Joe and Elaine Mayer (Rochester), 507-289-4154, eljomayer@hotmail.com.
Congressman Jim Ramstad: Roxanne Abbas, 763-476-7643, rabbas@usinternet.com.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum: Betty McKenzie, 651-644-1337, macconis@usfamily.net.
Congressman John Kline: Sue and Greg Skog, 651-454-3850, family4peace@msn.com.
Congresswoman Michelle Bachman: Sr. Merle Nolde in the St. Cloud Area; other team leaders to be announced.
Congressman Tim Walz: Joe and Elaine Mayer, 507-289-4154, eljomayer@hotmail.com.
Congressman Colin Peterson: Jim Hubley (Marshall), 507-532-6846, jhubley@chartermi.net.; Lucy Tokheim (Willmar), 320-769-2142, lucytokheim@frontiernet.net.
Congressman James Oberstar: Michelle Obed Naar, 218-728-0629, obedsinduluth@yahoo.com.
Congressman Keith Ellison: Congressman Ellison has said that he will vote against funding.
If you are available to help, please contact your team leader or the Twin Cities Peace campaign-Focus on Iraq at 612-522-1861.
Organized by: Twin Cities Peace Campaign-Focus on Iraq. FFI: 612-522-1861. |
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© 2007 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete March 2007 Index - click here
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