Dear CODEPINK supporter,

JULY 4th: CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE
DECLARE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

This Fourth of July, while President Bush and his cronies are out reveling at patriotic parades and fireworks while ignoring the global impact of their "shock and awe" policies, we the people won't be blinded by the dazzling lights of cheap firecrackers and White House photo-ops.

Show your patriotism by observing the 4th in the spirit of our founding mothers and fathers--by standing up for independence. Today that means independence not from King George's empire, but from George W's empire-building that drags us into imperial wars, wreaks havoc on foreign lands, callously takes the lives of our soldiers, and treats the prisoners of these wars as subhumans.

This July 4, there are many ways you can stand up for liberty and justice for all!

• Dress as pink statues of liberty and march in your city's parade with signs calling for the troops to come home;
• Have an "Independence from Empire" picnic where you have a dramatic reading of messages from our nation's founders about the dangers of foreign interventions, or on a more humorous note, turn your barbeque into a Bush Weenie Roast;
• Go to the local festivities dressed in a black cape and hood, "Abu Graib-style", or in an orange jumpsuit and shackles, with a sign around your neck saying "Liberty and Justice for All" or "Close Guantanamo"
• Join us in declaring your independence from oil - here are some ideas.

Check out the special July 4 page on the CODEPINK website for these and other awesome action ideas. Be sure to send us your ideas and events so we can add them to the page. And remember to send out a press release (scroll down to see sample) so the media can cover your actions.

Let's take back July 4 as we work to take back our country!

patriotically yours,

Dana, Farida, Gael, Jodie, Medea, Nancy, Rae, and Tiffany