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April
9, 2008
Dear
CODEPINKer,
on
Foreign Relations and Armed Services yesterday about the status
of the war and political developments in Iraq, he
left out an important part of the picture: the true experience of
the Iraqi people, especially Iraqi women, and their desire for the
U.S. troops to leave.
 CODEPINK
was in the hearing room, wearing death masks to represent the deep
grief and pain of the women of Iraq (Flickr
Slideshow). As reported by Women
for Women International, Iraqi women are plagued by violence
and insecurity; a severe lack of medicine, clean water, electricity
and other basic services; and the rise of conservative Islamists.
While
General Petraeus says the presence of the U.S. military helps reduce
violence, 71 percent of Iraqi
women say they do not feel protected by U.S. soldiers and 65
percent report that US soldiers are only making security
worse.
 Today,
as General Petraeus continues his testimony before the House Committees
on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs, Iraqis
are taking to the street to protest the U.S. occupation. We must
demand that their voices are heard in Washington.
Please
send the Women for Women International Report to the Chairmen of
the House and Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees
and call their offices to urge them to listen to the Iraqi women,
and the majority of all Iraqis, who are calling for an end to the
occupation of their country.
- Joe
Biden, US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
(202) 224-4651
- Carl
Levin, US Senate Committee on Armed Services
(202)224.3871
- Howard
Berman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
(202) 225-5021
- Ike
Skelton, House Armed Services Committee
(202) 225-4151
Thank
you for giving Iraqi women a desperately needed voice,
Alicia, Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle,
Jodie, Liz, Medea, Nancy, Rae, and Tighe
P.S.
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