FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 18, 2013

Contact: Alli McCracken, CODEPINK Organizer, 860 575 5692, alli@codepink.org

CODEPINK Urges US Ambassador Samantha Power to Promote Syria Peace Process; Hosts Delegation of Syrian Women in DC on Thursday, Sept 19

New York, New York -- At 10:30 AM today activists from CODEPINK and the Syrian Women's Forum for Peace gathered at the US Mission to the UN to deliver a petition to US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power. The petition, containing thousands of signatures, calls for a ceasefire and a negotiated solution for Syria during the Geneva II Convention, an increase in US aid to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees and adherence to international laws pertaining to the use of cruel weapons, including the US use of killer drones. A spokesperson for Ambassador Power received the petition, assuring activists that the Ambassador was well aware of the online campaign.

On Thursday, September 19 at 4pm, CODEPINK DC will be hosting a group of women from the Syrian Women's Forum for Peace. The meeting will taking place at the office of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, 245 2nd Ave NE, Washington DC. “If the US cared about the Syrian women and children, they would not even think of bombing but would support the refugees, stop funding weapons and use their power to bring the factions to peace talks,” said Ghada Mukdad of Syrian Women's Forum for Peace.

"It is an honor to deliver this petition to Ambassador Power with these Syrian women,” said CODEPINK Co-founder Jodie Evans, from Los Angeles, California. “They flew all the way here from the war zone that is their home to push the US to pursue diplomacy instead of using bombs to help the Syrian people. We must heed their voices for peace and we urge President Obama, Ambassador Power, and Congress to listen."

To interview the women or attend the 4pm gathering, please contact Alli McCracken at 860 575 5692.

##