Dear CODEPINKer,

There comes a time when we must take to the streets in protest and that time is now. Over the past few nights CODEPINKers and our allies gathered in dozens of cities and towns around the country to stand in public opposition to Obama's announcement of an escalation of another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. At West Point and in Oklahoma City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, Missoula, Minneapolis and across the country peace activists organized street actions before, during and after Obama's speech!

See the news coverage here!
View our action report-backs and photos

We gather in protest because we are committed to changing public opinion. Remember, the peace movement pushed Iraq to the top issue in the presidential primaries and kept it out front during the entire election! This is still a crucial time for street protest, and US peace movement is not backing down!

During his speech many of us gathered to watch, balk, and critically analyze the speech afterwards. We've picked a few of our favorite articles and analyses including an article by Phyllis Bennis, MADRE's "Six Alternatives to a Troop Surge in Afghanistan" and Ann Wright and Paul Martin's piece on CNN.

We've also received an outpouring of responses from CODEPINKers around the country. Here's what some of you are saying:

"I was quite disappointed to hear Obama's speech last night as it means no healthcare for my children, just unending warfare." - Kelly Jacobs, Mississippi

"As the sister of a soldier who will be deployed to Afghanistan next year, I wanted to see Obama's speech address the very arguments against his escalation that were conveniently left out: that increased violence, weapons and the presence of US troops is the surest way to create new, dedicated recruits for Al Qaeda (and the Taliban)-and that the trillions we willingly commit to military engagement could better serve our "goals" for and "interests" in a peaceful Afghanistan if they were applied to jobs, lasting industry, economic development and empowerment of Afghans. If his goals are indeed what he says they are, his actions and plotted course show us that he seems determined not to reach them." - Janna S., California

It's time to turn our outrage into sustained action.
Use our quick and easy tool to send your response to Obama's announcement to the Executive Office of the President--where it will be read by a member of Obama's team! Let them know that you are mad as hell and will push back on the escalation. It is our job to continue to press them as we move forward.

The next struggle over troop escalation will be waged in Congress. When you sign the petition above you will be added to our Afghanistan Action team, and we will send you updates of how you and your community can keep active around this hopeless escalation!

Standing Up for Peace,
Dana, Emily, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jodie, Marina, Medea, Nancy, Paris, Rae, Suzanne, and Whitney + the 36 CODEPINK Local Groups around the country who held actions this week

P.S. You can still send "Hopeless Escalation" as an e-card to your friends and family--keep the buzz going!