January 8, 2009 Dear
CODEPINKer, In our plea to the President Elect to speak out,
CODEPINK harkens back to the White Rose Society-the WWII non-violent resistance group in Germany. This tiny band of college students and their professor adopted the motto "We will not be silent"
and exposed what they saw and knew was happening around them. On Friday,
CODEPINK, along with Jewish and Muslim women, will deliver a flood of white roses to Obama's Washington, DC hotel, with the message, "Please do not be silent. The
children of Gaza need your help." For $5, you can add a white rose to the bouquet and a voice
to the chorus of those who speak out! Will you give $5 to send Obama a white rose?
The bodies of the children who died outside the United Nations school in Gaza on
Tuesday were laid out in a long row on the ground. Halfway along the row of bodies, Huda Deed
was weeping. She lost nine members of her extended family, ages 3 to 25. "Look, they've lined them up like a ruler!" she said, inconsolable. It is estimated that one in five of those killed by Israel's attacks on Gaza have been children. ABC News visited Gaza's
emergency rooms. "On one bed, a child lies still and terrified as doctors cut away bloody clothes. Another begs them to stop as they treat her wounds. Some are
crying. Some stare straight ahead in shock. Some are dead." In the face of this devastating violence, our new leader, Barack Obama, has been tragically
silent. Over 600 Palestinians had been killed before he even expressed concern over the deaths of civilians. But no condemnation of the
massacre. No call for an immediate ceasefire. You can also call Obama's transition team at 1-202-540-3000, press 2, and ask Obama to call for an immediate ceasefire and massive humanitarian aid to the civilians. We must push Obama to show moral leadership and truly be the "peace president" the American people elected. For the sake of the children,
Audrey, Dana, Deidra, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jean, Jodie,
Liz, Lori, Lydia, Medea, Nancy, Paris, and Rae P.S. To learn more about the current crisis in Gaza,
click here
and this
Saturday, January 10, demonstrations to call for a ceasefire are happening around the country. Click
here to
find and join one near you. |