Dear CODEPINK activist,

Almost 2000 American soldiers killed and over 25,000 wounded. More than 100,000 dead and wounded Iraqi civilians. $200 billion wasted. When does it stop?

How many more US soldiers and innocent Iraqis must give their lives before our government admits the war was a mistake and that it's time to bring our troops home? U.S. soldiers are at grave risk in Iraq, and continue to suffer even after they come home. Troops returning to the U.S. are suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, and are even turning up in homeless shelters in cities all over the country. The risk for Iraqis is even greater: Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed in the war, even according to the most conservative estimates.

The sad day is coming when the 2000th US soldier will have died in Iraq. Now is the time to yet again remind people of the human cost of this war and call for the troops to come home now.

TAKE ACTION: VOLUNTEER TO ORGANIZE AN ANTI-WAR VIGIL, RALLY OR OTHER PEACE EVENT FOR THE DAY AFTER THE 2000TH US SOLDIER IS KILLED IN IRAQ. Send details of your event to tiffany@codepinkalert.org. We'll post your event online so that others can join you.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO:
*Organize a candlelight vigil and read the names of US soldiers and Iraqis who've been killed in the war.

*Go to your representatives or Senators' offices to protest the 2000th death and all those that came before. Demand to know why they are doing to stop the death and destruction.

*Choose a public space in your community and create an altar that pays tribute to all of the soldiers and civilians, American and Iraqi, that have been killed. Use photos, candles or other items that represent and honor the victims of this war. Encourage people to add to the altar.

*Remind your neighbors what the cost of war looks like. Print out the 2000 Too Many image on the CODEPINK website and make a lawn-sign or post it in a window or other visible spot.

*Write an op-ed for your local paper and be sure to send us an on-line link if it gets published!

*Coordinate with other local peace and justice groups, veterans, and military families.

Send photos of your event to webmistress@codepinkalert.org so that we can add them to our photo gallery.

Speak out, be loud: TROOPS HOME NOW!

In peace,
Andrea, Dana, Emily, Farida, Gael, Grace, Jodie, Medea, Rae, and Tiffany

P.S. Your efforts last week made a difference. You made sure your Senators heard the message - that Americans do not, under any circumstances, condone torture. The Senate voted 99-9 to pass Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) amendment to make it illegal to mistreat detainees in Iraq or elsewhere.