FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 2007
Contact:
Brian Terrell: 515-255-8114 Kathy Kelly: 773-878-3815 (office), 773-619-2418 (cell) Website: www.vcnv.org
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE TO LAUNCH ON NOVEMBER 7 AND 8 AT PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OFFICES IN DES MOINES, IOWA
On November 8, in Des Moines, Iowa, social justice and antiwar advocates will launch Seasons of Discontent: A Presidential Occupation Project (SODaPOP). Nonviolent occupations will occur at the offices of Presidential candidates—both Democrats and Republicans—who do not publicly commit to a complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq; a cessation of all U.S. military action against Iraq (including air and land warfare); and to oppose any form of military action against Iran.
THE NOVEMBER 8 SCHEDULE OF NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE INCLUDES:
- 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Rally to Launch Civil Disobedience. Nolan Plaza. Walnut Street and 2nd Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.
- 1:00 p.m. – Disperse to Presidential Campaign offices to engage in nonviolent occupations of both Republican and Democratic candidates’ offices.
This campaign will continue through the Iowa caucus on January 3. A second concentrated period of nonviolent direct action will take place from December 29 through January 3.
NOVEMBER 7 – PUBLIC FORUM – 7:00 P.M.
“WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ?”
Kathy Kelly, twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and co-founder of both Voices in the Wilderness and Voices for Creative Nonviolence, will speak on her experiences living amongst Iraqi refugees in Amman, Jordan and the ongoing human cost of the war.
LOCATION OF FORUM:
CHET GUINN’S OLD FIRE HOUSE; 1041 – 8TH STREET; DES MOINES
The SODaPOP campaign is organized by the Iowa Occupation Project and Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Since February 5, 2007 over 400 arrests have occurred in the offices of over 40 Representatives and Senators throughout the United States. The Occupation Project campaign seeks a public commitment to vote against additional funding for the Iraq war. Nonviolent civil resistance has occurred several times at the offices of Iowa Senators Harkin and Grassley. SODaPOP aims to bring the Occupation Project into the Presidential campaign.
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