April 13, 2011

Dear CODEPINKer,

Glenn Beck's departure from his daily show on FOX is particularly sweet for CODEPINK, since we played a starring role in Beck's chalkboard constellations of paranoia—like when he accused us of conniving with the Muslim Brotherhood to provoke the Egyptian uprising and destroy the Western way of life, and credited us with starting the Gaza Freedom Movement!

But we still bemoan the ouster of another media star, Helen Thomas, who spent her career questioning the powerful and speaking out against war and injustice. That's why we're delighted that Helen Thomas will be joining us at our upcoming conference: Move Over AIPAC - Time for a New US Policy in the Middle East, in Washington DC, May 21- 24, 2011.

Register today to join Helen, Ralph Nader, Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein, The Israel Lobby authors John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, Palestinian writer Laila El Haddad, clown doctor Patch Adams (see a video with Patch here) and CODEPINK's Medea Benjamin and many more fantastic speakers, plus over 100 organizations in DC. If you can't join us, send a message to Helen that we will hand deliver along with a pink badge of courage. And please consider donating to our scholarship fund so young activists can join this historic gathering, or if you're a student, apply for a scholarship!

AIPAC (the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee) is a right-wing lobby that supports the Israeli government's illegal settlements, siege of Gaza, and abuses of Palestinians. Our gathering is timed to coincide with AIPAC's annual policy meeting, which will feature Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, members of the Obama administration and hundreds of members of Congress. The Move Over AIPAC Summit and actions will expose the lobby's negative influence on U.S. foreign policy and promote an alternative approach that respects the rights of all people in the region.

There will be trainings, workshops, press conferences, book signings, cultural events, and peaceful, creative protests outside the AIPAC convention itself. Housing is available with local activists or at a low-cost hostel near the conference venue. This is one national mobilization you don't want to miss!

Register today to join us in DC! Spaces are limited and will fill up quickly, so sign up today!

Let's free our policy from the AIPAC stranglehold so that a real peace process can emerge.

Onward for a new foreign policy,
Alli, Brian, Chelsea, Farida, Jean, Jodie, Kristen, Medea, Nancy, Rae, Shaden and the CODEPINK team

PS: Last weekend, April 9-10, CODEPINK held a vibrant presence to end war at the United National Antiwar Committee (UNAC) rallies in San Francisco and New York City.

See photos of giant pink peace sign and video!