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Dear Supporter,
 Last
month, CODEPINK
NY inspired us with their powerful display of children's
shoes representing Iraqi civilian deaths. Our new campaign, "Walk
in Their Shoes" was born of that action. This quiet
and simple yet potent visual was just what we were looking for--a
message that speaks volumes without our having to yell. The shoes
force our politicians to confront the consequences of their votes
to go to war, to fund war, and 'stay the course.'
We
took this action to Richmond, VA across from where George
W Bush was presiding over a fundraiser for warmonger, Senator George
Allen-R. In only three days, over 300 pairs of shoes were collected
and set up across the street from the fundraiser. Everyone at the
rally, even the most irate protestor, respected the shoes and their
message of reverence for lost life.
This
Monday, CODEPINK women from several
states brought the shoes to New London, CT at the doorstep of the
Senatorial debate between Senator Joe Lieberman and Democratic challenger
Ned Lamont. With the help of local community members and the Vets
for Peace Bus, our collection of a few hundred shoes quickly turned
into nearly 1,000 pairs, each and every pair bearing a tag with
the name and age of a woman or child killed in Iraq. This "small
mountain of shoes" was staggering in itself, but
we made clear it represented far less than 1% of the civilian deaths
according to the most recent Pew
report. We lit candles as the sun went down and carried
a stretcher of shoes and our huge Give
Peace a VOTE banner to the candidates as they approached
the debate hall. These shoes of all sizes, shapes and colors helped
everyone visualize the unspeakable pain and suffering this war has
inflicted on the Iraqi people.
You can organize a Walk in Their Shoes Action in your city.
Read
our 8 step plan for creating this powerful visual in a public location.
It's as easy as gathering shoes, affixing name labels, creating
a banner/sign, picking a good place, inviting friends and press,
and holding a reverent vigil. Don't forget to tell us how your action
went by adding a report to the local
spotlight so we can include news of your action in national
media alerts.
As
we move into fall, CODEPINK women from
around the country are springing into action. Click
here to check out amazing, colorful, rock'n visuals from
Chicago, Hawaii and Stockton. Won't you join us in your own town?
Give
Peace a VOTE
Andrea,
Anedra, Dana, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jodie, Laura, Liz, Medea, Nancy,
Patricia, Rae, Samantha, and Sonia
P.S.
One way to walk in another's shoes is to Travel
with CODEPINK, the Jordan/Syria
trip deadline is fast approaching. Check out our We Will
not be Silent T-shirts at the CODEPINK
store.
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