Dear CODEPINKer,

On Sunday Medea Benjamin and over 100 activists rallied in Quantico, VA, in support of whistleblower Bradley Manning, the 22-year-old intelligence analyst who stands accused of leaking to WikiLeaks classified documents that expose the brutal reality of the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations.  You can see videos of this powerful action and read news coverage.  Thanks to all who sent in letters of support for Bradley.  

Now you can follow Medea's lead and organize an action to expose the cost of war, the reality in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the need for accountability for those that led us into the illegal occupation of Iraq. On August 31 the partial withdrawal of US troops from Iraq will commence.  And while this is a step in the right direction, spurred by relentless actions from the peace movement, we know that the US presence in Iraq is still overbearing and Iraqis are still suffering immensely.  CODEPINK partnered with Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, and many peace groups to create a joint statement about the withdrawal.  Now we're calling on you to put this statement into action.  Will you coordinate an action in your community between August 26-31?

We've created a toolkit with action ideas - from hosting a film screening to holding a vigil or parade - and all the resources you'll need to make your action meaningful and successful. 

See action ideas.

Read and follow our simple recipe for a Peace Houseparty.

Purchase a copy of Iraq for Sale or War Made Easy from our CODEPINK store for only $5!  

See actions listed on our national calendar and post your own!  DC CODEPINK is organizing a teach-in.  Detroit activists can join the Jobs, Justice and Peace march on August 28.  Los Angeles Veterans for Peace and CODEPINK are creating a parade highlighting the cost of war.  What will your community do?    

You can also write a letter to the editor of your local paper using our easy tool.  Get inspired to write by reading this great letter to the editor from Lisa Savage in the Maine Morning Sentinel. 

Additionally, you're invited to join a conference call conversation about the troop withdrawal and local organizing this evening, Tuesday, August 10, 5:30PM PST/ 8:30PM EST.  Email valerie@codepink.org ASAP if you want to join this call and you will receive the phone number and password.  

How we account for the past is how we prepare for the future.  Blowing the whistle on war crimes should not put Bradley Manning behind bars for decades.  The real criminals - the former Bush Administration - are on the loose, and are getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to speak, while the debacle in Iraq continues.  Will you give voice to the reality of war?

It's time to rejuvenate our movement, take a stand for justice, and bring all our troops and our war dollars home!  

Onward for justice and peace,
Rae, Valerie, Janet, Dana, and the CODEPINK Team