CODEPINK outreach at the Willie Nelson Concert
By Medea Benjamin

We had a great time doing outreach for I Am a Voter For Peace at the Willie Nelson/Doobie Brothers concert in Napa this weekend. It was a fundraiser for the National Veterans Foundation, a group that helps veterans access the social services they need. The music was fantastic, as were the surroundings-- deep in the wine country on the grounds of a local vinery.

Hundreds of people signed the I Am a Voter For Peacepledge, and were delighted to have a chance to show their opposition to the war. Our booth was hopping all day, and it was a terrific opportunity to introduce CODEPINK and the voters pledge to a lot of new people.

We had a chance to hang out with Willie Nelson and his wife Annie, who is a great CODEPINK supporter.

We also met some of the members of the Doobie Brothers and several of them signed the pledge. They were wonderfully warm and friendly. I loved the fact that one of them, Skylark, wore a shirt with big letters saying: WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Another big treat was to meet former Senator Max Cleland from Georgia, a veteran who lost both his legs and his right arm in the Vietnam war. Cleland was "Swiftboated" during his reelection campaign in 2002--he lost the race when his opponent ran these horrible ads questioning his patriotism! We told him about our Peace Pledge and he was delighted.

"We've got to get our soldiers out of Iraq!," he insisted. He thanked us heartily for our efforts, and gave us big hugs!

What Ever Happened To Peace On Earth By Willie Nelson

There's so many things going on in the world Babies dying Mothers crying How much oil is one human life worth And what ever happened to peace on earth We believe everything that they tell us They're gonna' kill us So we gotta' kill them first But I remember a commandment Thou shall not kill How much is that soldier's life worth And whatever happened to peace on earth (Bridge) And the bewildered herd is still believing Everything we've been told from our birth Hell they won't lie to me Not on my own damn TV But how much is a liars word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth So I guess it's just Do unto others before they do it to you Let's just kill em' all and let God sort em' out Is this what God wants us to do (Repeat Bridge)

And the bewildered herd is still believing Everything we've been told from our birth Hell they won't lie to me Not on my own damn TV But how much is a liars word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth Now you probably won't hear this on your radio Probably not on your local TV But if there's a time, and if you're ever so inclined You can always hear it from me How much is one picker's word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth But don't confuse caring for weakness You can't put that label on me The truth is my weapon of mass protection And I believe truth sets you free (Bridge) And the bewildered herd is still believing Everything we've been told from our birth Hell they won't lie to me Not on my own damn TV But how much is a liars word worth And whatever happened to peace on earth

“I Am a Voter For Peace” at The Power to Peaceful Festival
By Nancy Mancias
September 12, 2006

Peacemaking is fun! A group of CODEPINK women headed over to Michael Franti's annual Power to the Peaceful Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

We showed up armed with pink ballot boxes, pens, and pledge cards. We were ready to sign up the masses!

The weather was the typical San Francisco foggy, doom and gloom day, but by wearing our brightest pinkest boas, outrageous sunglasses, Statue of Liberty crowns, and tutus we managed to brighten up everyone's day.

While carrying pink balloons, “Pink Posse” gift bags filled with pledge cards and pens, we weaved in and out of the dancing crazed crowd convincing them to sign onto the pledge, “I will not vote for or support any candidate for Congress or President who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq, and preventing any future war of aggression, a public position in his or her campaign.”

We were fortunate enough to arrange a backstage VIP pass ahead of time so we could meet the artists and talk about the “I Am a Voter For Peace” campaign. The artists backstage were so excited to see CODEPINK, so we took advantage of the situation and had them sign onto the peace pledge.

As you know, all day festivals can be exhausting, so after canvassing the crowd, we found our way back to the vibrant CODEPINK booth, where we were able to rest our heels and talk-up the campaign.

The Power To The Peaceful Festival is just one example of the many different ways to encourage people to sign onto “I Am a Voter For Peace,” and the easiest way to plug in, is to check on-line concert guides, look at free alternative newspapers, or read local cultural calendars to find out which concerts, festivals are happening in your town.