Reply #12: Some resources, targets for action

[deutsey]

I went to the Maryland United for Peace and Justice conference last weekend and heard Medea Benjamin of Code Pink speak. It was great hearing her and the conference really revived my sagging energy for anti-war actions (I've been extremely active in protesting Bush and his militarism since the first inauguration in 2001).

Medea said just what you say here: we need to begin driving home the costly realities of this occupation. She targeted three main areas that need mobilization immediately:

Support the Woolsey Resolution to withdraw US troops from Iraq (http://coastalrain.tripod.com/wmfso/id25.html)

Begin to prepare for anti-war demonstrations in the fall (she wasn't able to give dates yet)

Counter-Recruitment Campaign: the military's recruitment efforts are consistantly falling short of goals; this campaign can help perpetuate this trend. At the very least we need to get into the schools and provide alternative information to the hard-sell lies recruiters are foisting onto kids.

You can also start highlighting how much Iraq is costing us...certainly in terms of human life, but also in economic terms. Go to www.Nationalpriorities.org and www.costofwar.com

These resources can be used to show what could have been done nationally on down to your county with the billions of dollars the invasion and occupation is costing us.

Here are some other resources:

http://www.nisbco.org/
http://www.militaryfreeschools.org/
www.ivaw.net
www.girights.org
www.objector.org
www.sldn.org (gay and lesbian rights in the military)
www.volunteerabroad.org