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Call
for a Ceasefire in Israel and Lebanon!
Call Bolton or Kofi today.
For up-to-date info about the Troops Home Fast:
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Fleeing
from bombs.
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Dear CODEPINKer,
The
people of the Middle East are suffering once again as militarists
on all sides have launched yet another devastating round of violence
-- this time between Israel and Lebanon. Each bomb dropped, each
child killed, represents our collective failure to live together
as a human family, and the ascendance of irrational militarism over
the values of empathy and compassion.
We
are appalled not only by the violence itself but the lack of international
leadership to try to stop it. This is especially true for those
of us who are living in the United States: While
the world is crying out for global intervention to stop the madness,
our government is blocking the international community from calling
for a ceasefire -- confusing Israel's right to defend itself
with the choice to kill innocent civilians and blow up Lebanon's
bridges, airports and power stations.
Despite
the Lebanese death toll exceeding 200 and the Israeli count at 24,
efforts to turn to diplomacy have been met with extreme skepticism.
Last Thursday, July 13th, in response to Israel launching a massive
new military assault on Gaza because of the kidnapping of an Israeli
soldier, the U.N. Security Council introduced a resolution calling
for ALL sides to exercise restraint.
This resolution was vetoed by the John Bolton, U.S. Ambassador to
the UN. On Sunday, a UN
attempt to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah
was once again blocked by the U.S.
Meanwhile,
news about Iraq has fallen to the back pages of our newspapers,
despite the fact that over 100 civilians have been killed in the
past few days. Once again, we find the U.S. government impeding
efforts by the Iraqi government and armed opponents to move toward
a reconciliation plan that would include the withdrawal of U.S.
troops.
When
our government fails to act on behalf of those suffering,
we-as responsible citizens-must act. Here are some suggestions:
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Troops
Home Fasters Protesting outside the White House, July
17, 2006.
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1.
Contact Ambassador John Bolton at the U.S.
Mission to the UN by calling (212) 415-4050
or emailing usa@un.int
and ask him to call for a ceasefire.
2. Contact UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan and implore the UN must show leadership
and demand a ceasefire. Email: sg@un.org
and/or Fax: (212) 963-1921.
3. Attend local demonstrations
and vigils. You can find out more information about local
actions by clicking
here or by connecting with peace groups working
on this issue in your area. Read about one local community's
response to the conflict by clicking
here.
4. Join
the fast.We are entering our third week of the
fast, in which over 4,000 people have already participated.
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Today
is the 16th day of our fast in DC and
around the world. While we continue to focus on bringing our troops
home from Iraq, we're also incorporating the call to end the violence
throughout the Middle East into our peace work and specifically
into the goals of our Troops Home Fast. It's moments like this when
fasting can deepen our commitment and enhance our vision of the
world we want to live in.
With
undying hope for peace,
Allison,
Dana, Erin, Farida, Gael, Jodie, Katie, Laura,
Medea, Meredith, Nancy, Rae, Samantha and Tiffany
P.S.
-
Imagine 4 days of contemplating peace, creating peace, being
peace….Now imagine sharing those with amazing women like
Cindy Sheehan, Molly Ivins, Annie Lamott, Rha Goddess, Rhiannon,
the co-founders of CODEPINK and
a hundred other peace-loving women. This deeply inspiring retreat
offers leading edge trainings and workshops from dynamic women
leaders, intimate community conversations and rejuvenating spa
massages. Learn
more and join us.
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