Dear CODEPINKer,

This Thanksgiving, whether you are enjoying the company of family and friends, joining us in New Orleans to help rebuild that devastated city, or sojourning to Crawford, Texas to accompany Cindy Sheehan, we want to thank you for your continued support for CODEPINK and your determination to end this unjust war in Iraq.

Let us also take a moment, collectively, to thank a newcomer to our peace movement: Congressman John Murtha (D-PA). Last week, Congressman Murtha, a decorated veteran with 37 years in the Marine Corps, touched off a firestorm in Congress with his courageous call to end the occupation of Iraq. While Vice President Cheney attacks Cong. Murtha, Republican Congresspeople call him a traitor, and even Democrats like Cong. Nancy Pelosi distance themselves from his position, CODEPINK wants to send the Congressman a heart-felt gesture of appreciation by showering him with pink roses on his next visit to Walter Reed Hospital -- unlike his critics, he visits the soldiers weekly. He can then deliver the roses to the wounded soldiers, brightening both his and their day. Just click here to make a $3 donation to the bouquet.

You can also support Congressman Murtha by asking your congressperson to support his resolution (House Joint Resolution 73), which calls for US forces in Iraq "to be redeployed at the earliest practicable date" and says the US should "pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy."

Urge your Representatives to cosponsor Murtha's bill and two other excellent bills against the war: H.R. 4232 (by Congressman Jim McGovern) to cut off funding for an ongoing occupation and H. CON. RES. 197 (by Congresswoman Barbara Lee) to block permanent military bases in Iraq.

With members of Congress are home for the holidays, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to visit them in their district offices, or question them about the war in Iraq at public events in the district. For updated lobbying materials and talking points, see the United for Peace and Justice website.

The events surrounding Murtha's resolution pushed the Democratic Caucus to call a special meeting on December 5 to discuss a position on Iraq. Next week is a perfect time to call on Democratic Representatives to take a strong position on an immediate, safe and orderly withdrawal.

We have much to mourn and celebrate this Thanksgiving, but most of all we have much work before us. Congressman Murtha has opened up a new level of debate in Congress. Let us seize the moment and build the momentum!

From New Orleans to Crawford to Cong. Murtha's Congressional District 12 of Pennsylvania, we send our Thanksgiving greetings,
Dana, Emily, Farida, Gael, Jen, Jodie, Medea, Nancy, Rae, Sam & Tiffany

P.S. Spread the word -- forward this email to your friends!