Washington, DC – Occupy AIPAC kicked off a week of actions last night in New York City when President Obama was disrupted by CODEPINK cofounder Jodie Evans, who shouted “Use your leadership; no war on Iran!” Obama replied, “No one's announced a war, young lady. You're jumping the gun a bit there.” Iran will be a key topic of discussion when the president meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu and when both leaders address the AIPAC conference this weekend, and Occupy AIPAC activists will make clear that war should be off the table.

On Saturday, March 3, Occupy AIPAC will hold a counter-conference to the 2012 AIPAC Policy Summit, kicking off a series of actions from Saturday to Tuesday to urge Obama to reject the Israeli administration's push for war on Iran and insist on respect for Palestinian rights. Events and protests will draw attention to the role of AIPAC as a special interest lobby that maintains a stranglehold over US policies.

“After 10 years of war, the American people need a foreign policy that focuses on diplomacy, but AIPAC takes us down the dangerous path of war with Iran,” CODEPINK cofounder and Occupy AIPAC organizer Medea Benjamin said. “We are gathering to demand that our leaders break with AIPAC's disastrous path of attacking Iran, as well as supporting Israel's human rights violations and illegal settlements in the West Bank.”

Schedule of planned actions includes a Middle East Summit on Saturday, March 3 and protests all day Sunday, March 4. See details below or visit OccupyAIPAC.org.

Occupy AIPAC Summit: Panels on Iran, the Arab uprisings and Palestine/Israel
Featured speakers include: Chris Hedges, Roane Carey, Sanam Anderlini, Bassam Haddad, and Phyllis Bennis
WHEN: 9am-5pm, Saturday, March 3rd
WHERE: Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave NW (http://g.co/maps/47pza)
Press registration: Email occupyaipac@gmail.com

No War on Iran Demonstration during AIPAC Convention
WHEN: 8:00am – 4:00pm, Sunday, March 4th
WHERE: Across the street from the DC Convention Center, corner of 9th St and Massachusetts Ave NW (http://g.co/maps/ha2zk)
VISUALS: Giant letters to spell out “NO WAR ON IRAN”, puppets, mock checkpoint and Annexation Wall, flashmob, and enlarged image of advertisement that will appear in The Hill newspaper on Super Tuesday.

Protest at the White House during talk between Israeli PM Netanyahu and President Obama
WHEN & WHERE: Monday, March 5th
 -- 11:00am Press Conference at the National Press Club; 12:30pm at the White House

Protest Outside AIPAC Gala Event with Netanyahu, Peres, and Gingrich
WHEN: 7:30pm-9:00pm, Monday, March 5th
WHERE: Across the street from the DC Convention Center, corner of 9th St and Massachusetts Ave NW (http://g.co/maps/ha2zk)
VISUALS: Lit up banners and large images that will be projected on buildings

Occupy AIPAC calls for a new American foreign policy in the Middle East and challenges the Israeli lobby's siege of Congress. Occupy AIPAC was endorsed by the Occupy Wall Street General Assembly and has been primarily organized by CODEPINK with support from a variety of groups, including the Interfaith Peace Builders (IFPB), the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Jewish Voice for Peace, Students for Justice in Palestine chapters, Occupy groups and over 130 others.