May 26, 2006


Dear CODEPINKer,

When a group of CODEPINK women traveled to Iraq right before the war began, we were overwhelmed by the Iraqis' hospitality, kindness and generosity. While the U.S. government was threatening to bomb their country, the Iraqis were careful to make the distinction between the government and the people. Today, after this disastrous war has dragged on for over three years, that distinction is harder to make. Many Iraqis wonder why the U.S. people are not rising up en masse to oppose the occupation of their country.

Ads in Iraqi Newspapers

That's why, on Mother's Day, we not only held an amazing 24-hour vigil in front of the White House, but we also reached out to Iraqis. In a ground-breaking campaign, thanks to the generosity of many of you, we took out full-page ads in eight Iraqi newspapers. The newspapers represented a cross-section of the Iraqi people, both ethnically and politically, and opened up an important dialogue with political and social groups in Iraq that we are now cultivating. We plan to take out more ads to let Iraqis know about other efforts to end the occupation, such as our upcoming hunger strike called Troops Home Fast. Click here if you would like to contribute to this ad campaign that reaches out to the Iraqi people.

Troops Home Fast

In last week's alert, we announced the Troops Home Fast that will begin on July 4, and hundreds of you signed on to join at least one day of the fast. Our fasters now include Cindy Sheehan; environmentalist Diane Wilson; comedian Dick Gregory; singer Willie Nelson; Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches; Dr. E. Faye Williams, National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women; Colonel Ann Wright; Iraq veteran Geoffrey Millard; Kim Gandy, President of the National Organization for Women; and CODEPINK cofounders Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans and Gael Murphy. Click here for an interview with Diane Wilson on why we are doing this fast and what we intend to accomplish.

If you haven't already signed on, please consider joining this historic fast for a day, a week, or more. You can fast with us in Washington, DC in front of the White House, or in your own community. You can fast as an individual, or organize a rolling fast (each one taking one day) in a public place such as a congressional office, a recruiting station, a federal building or a church. And if you live outside the United States, we encourage you to fast on July 4th outside a U.S. Embassy or consulate. While the U.S. officials are enjoying their barbeques and festivities, we will be reminding them of the ongoing suffering of Iraqis and soldiers in this unjust war.

None of our efforts would be possible without your ongoing support, and for that we are deeply grateful.

In peace and solidarity,
Allison, Dana, Farida, Gael, Jodie, Katie, Medea, Nancy, Rae and Tiffany

P.S. In preparation for the summer hunger strike in front of the White House, and taking inspiration from the CODEPINK women doing daily actions in our nation's capitol this month, we're opening an office in DC! We have lots of needs, from laptops to office supplies to interns. Click here to see our wish list. Thanks so much for your help in growing CODEPINK!

P.P.S. Click here to find out other exciting ways to join with CODEPINK this summer.

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