The following are to two Utube videos of CODEPINK actions at hearings in Washington D.C. last week. CODEPINK has been very active in the last two weeks, with a constant presence in both the House and Senate hearings on the Hill.

The first is of CODEPINK members making their feelings known and their presence felt while the Senate Foreign Relations Committee questioned Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice about the Department's proposed budget. The Capital Police confiscated signs from members in the gallery and two representatives of CODEPINK were removed from that hearing for speaking up, encouraging the Committee to seek a diplomatic resolution in Iraq, and to prevent an attack on Iran. However, the Capital Police simply checked ID's and warned the women that if they disturbed the hearing again they would be subject to arrest. The CODEPINKers were free to go. So, they returned to the Condi hearing, to the second row, just past Jesse Jackson, who flashed them a thumbs up and a clenched fist of encouragement. Some continued to shout issues at the Senators after the hearing was adjourned, again causing the Police to step in.

The second video is of CODEPINK in attendence at the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the proposed Budget with General Peter Pace and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. CODEPINKmembers sttod in protest for over four hours at the hearing, speaking out several times. There were three CPers removed from the hearing. After hours of standing and restricted access to the public seats, CODEPINK found they were in a good position for utilizing CSpan's camera angles to their advantage. Gael Murphy, CODEPINKco-founder can be heard at the last of the clip suggesting a Cease Fire in Iraq, for which she was removed from the hearing.

Many thanks to Renee Schultz for recording, editing and posting the video from her home in Indianapolis.

What the Peace Activist said to the general... by Gael Murphy

During a break in the Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing I approached General Peter Pace and Secretary Robert Gates, the two witnesses who had been called to testify on Bush's proposal to escalate violence in Iraq. I shared my fear for the Iraqis and reminded them that a majority of American citizens, U.S. military and Iraqis want the U.S. soldiers to leave Iraq as soon as possible. I also brought up the Iraqi peace plan that has been underway for the past 8 months and includes armed resistance groups who have offered to lay down arms under certain conditions, notably amnesty and start of immediate negotiations for U.S. military withdrawal. I wanted to know if Pace and Gates were aware of the plan and if they were in discussion with the armed groups. General Pace responded that they are talking to the Iraqi Gov't. I hoped for a cease-fire. I explained my mistrust of the Bush Administration's motives. I told them that Pres. Bush, through Zalmay Khalizad, had pressured Iraqi Prime Minister Al Maliki to drop several key points from the reconciliation plan he presented to Congress in July, much to the dissatisfaction of many, including Iraqi citizens and elected officials. The meeting reconvened. Watch Video Coverage Now!

Copyright (c) by Jo Freeman, www.jofreeman.com