March 5, 2007
Pam Garrison and Rich Klopfer, the first arrests for Civil Disobedience in the new courthouse
Part of the affinity group that carried out the action
Some banners and signs at the road
March 5, 2007
To the Editor:
There is a nationally coordinated campaign currently underway. Called the Occupation Project, the goal is to ask our senators and congresspersons to state publicly to vote against any further funding for the Iraq occupation by the U.S. military. Period. This is not about not funding the troops, it is about bringing them home NOW.
An affinity group has formed to implement the campaign locally.
On Monday March 5 several people, including myself, entered Rep. Peter Defazio’s Eugene office with our request of his commitment to not further fund the war. We stated we would not leave the office until he agreed to our request. We waited seven hours, with a dedicated group of supporters. While we had a very open dialog with his staff, and assurances of his support of our efforts, he stated that he could not make such a commitment. At five pm we were told to leave, and upon refusing, myself and another were put under arrest by federal authorities.
This illegal war will not end until Congress stops funding it. Please call your representatives and demand this. The cost of this war has been devastating to our military, to Iraq and Iraqis and to our communities.
Not one more dollar, not one more death.
Rich Klopfer
