The clearest way to end the war is to cut off all funding for it. The next vote in congress to appropriate billions more of our tax dollars for its continuation will likely happen in March. It is widely expected that this request for funding to exceed 100 billion will be approved by our representatives unless we exercise our will to stop it and create peace instead.
An empowering nonviolent action campaign is being planned in Los Angeles to achieve this goal.
To rely on congress with its newly elected democratic majority to end this immoral and illegal war is a gross error and even more so, dangerous to ourselves and future generations. This congress needs our help to end war!
The timing and focus of this action holds great potential for people to directly influence the vote of Congress. The following campaign can be organized and executed before the appropriations vote in March. The people’s actions and sacrifice will create the world of peace we envision.
A proposal for action in Los Angeles
This campaign begins with 5 consecutive days of actions at the office of a chosen representative, one who has voted for the war and subsequent appropriations to fund and support it. Our demand is clear: ‘the representative will publicly pledge to vote ‘no’ on further appropriations that fund this war’.
Each day will follow a similar sequence of action including nonviolent civil disobedience, (sitting in) and arrest for those who are prepared to take this crucial step. Others will commit to a presence of support all day each day to create powerful sustained momentum. Each of the 5 days will be organized and coordinated by a different peace organization in order to sustain the people and resources necessary for success. Congress is on recess the week of February 19th and congresspeople are expected to be in their districts this week.
We believe that the potential effectiveness and attention that this action creates will inspire people to begin similar actions in other districts. This campaign will focus attention directly on delivering the simple message to “stop funding the war”. It is important that participating groups agree to this focus so that our demands reach the representative clearly and strongly, providing no opportunity to deflect attention from what is being requested.
Through this action we can potentially achieve several critical goals we have hoped for but have not yet accomplished.
- Our representatives, (the public servants who legally have the power to cut off funding for this war and thereby end it), will be forced to deal with a continued presence which will seriously disrupt their business as usual and cause them continued media attention. This is intended to shine light on their position of support for the war and change that support into voting against further funding.
- This action will create a very compelling, on-going, and dramatic media story that will help produce a ‘crisis of conscience’ for all who witness it and embolden others who, in their own districts, can organize similar actions.
- This action will provide the opportunity to create solidarity among peace and social justice organizations…. and create an extended action that people will hear about and still have time to participate in as it continues for five days. This direct action will be replicated again at the same representatives office and others until the will of the people of each district is followed.
- This action will educate, because of the media attention created over 5 days, inspire, because of the commitment and determination of all who participate, and empower people to take action for peace now!
The President and others are asking that we present another plan if we reject the ‘surge’ in troops, violence, misery, and suffering for the world in which we live. Let us propose a fair and just plan that honors the hearts and conscience of people everywhere. We must first remove all U.S. military forces from Iraq, fund and support a regional peace keeping effort, and commit to spending a dollar on peace and rebuilding Iraq for every dollar spent on war thus far in Iraq and turn this conflict into an opportunity to change our nations direction towards Love. Congresswomen Woolsey and Lee’s Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 508, is one model for change that can be achieved with our determination.
Please consider what is being planned in Los Angeles and sharing your experience and support. Please contact us with your response.
In Peace.
Sincerely,
Kyle and KamGi Finch
be-love@earthlink.net
310.455.1670 or 323.301.2823
