CODEPINK Activist Speaks Out During Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer Speech At Democratic Convention: End the War in Afghanistan, Stop the Killer Drones |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CODEPINK Activist Speaks Out During Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer Speech At Democratic Convention: End the War in Afghanistan, Stop the Killer Drones Charlotte, NC— Representative Steny Hoyer from Maryland's 5th district was interrupted by CODEPINK co-director Rae Abileah calling for an end to current US wars and drone strikes. Abileah, 29, from San Francisco, stood up, unfurled a pink banner which read “Bring Our War $$ Home!” and said, “Bring our war dollars home! End the war in Afghanistan! Stop the killer drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia! Money  for
healthcare and education, not war!” When asked why she spoke out, Abileah said, “Too many young people my age can't afford healthcare, college, or even make rent. Meanwhile, both political parties are squandering our taxpayer dollars on big military contracts.” She added, “Instead of bombing homes and killing innocents abroad, we need to pursue real security through diplomacy and negotiations.” CODEPINK has campaigned for the past ten years to end US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, stop funding weapons to Israel, and redirect our federal budget away from the bloated Pentagon spending and into programs that address human needs and the environment. Last week CODEPINK was at the Republican Convention where they were inside the convention every night protesting the Republican policies around war, money in politics, and women's rights. CODEPINK will continue to protest both parties ongoing funding for war. CODEPINK, founded in 2002, is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into health care, education and other life-affirming activities. www.codepink.org |
