Reply #1: Read this:

[Tom Joad]

Dear Supporter,

After three weeks of fasting, the Troops Home FAST - CODEPINK and Global Exchange's hunger strike to end the Iraq war - has had a very exciting week!

Over the past weeks, the long-term fasters made numerous attempts to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, including setting up "Camp Al-Maliki" across from the Iraqi Embassy, publishing an open letter to him in one of the largest Iraqi newspapers, and even interrupting his Congressional address.



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Read analysis by Global Exchange’s Raed Jarrar: Another Reason to Bring the Troops Home



After the interruption, the hunger strikers received an amazing invitation from five members of the Iraqi Parliament. Moved by the commitment of the long-term fasters and dismayed by their prime minister’s refusal to meet with them, the Iraqi parliamentarians asked the fasters and a delegation of U.S. peace activists to join them in Amman, Jordan this week to discuss their 28-point Reconciliation Plan. The delegation will talk with a cross-section of Sunnis, Shi’as, and religious and secular leaders about how to come together across religious differences to end the violence in their country, including a withdrawal of all U.S. troops, and to discuss how to promote this Reconciliation Plan in Iraq and the U.S.

It is a great development for the U.S. peace movement to be working directly with Iraqi peacemakers! We are thrilled to be a part of this historic meeting. The delegation will be comprised of long-term fasters, including Global Exchange cofounder Medea Benjamin, as well as policymakers, academics, an Iraq war veteran, an Iraqi blogger and policymaker, and a former diplomat.

This marks a big turning point in the fast, yet we know that we have a long way to go towards bringing the 140,000 U.S. servicemen and women home from Iraq. The Troops Home Fast will continue as energy builds towards the International Day of Peace, September 21, when Declaration of Peace events will begin around the country.

Thank you for all your hard work on behalf of peace and justice,


PS: As we continue to work for peace in Iraq, let us also struggle to end the violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Last Sunday, Israel bombed a residential apartment building in the Lebanese village of Qana, killing 57 civilians, including 37 children. We must call for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire and multiparty negotiations!

Contact your Congressperson today and ask him or her to sign on to the Kucinich resolution calling for a ceasefire. Also, next week, August 7-11, United for Peace and Justice has called for an emergency week of actions.

Check their website to find an event near you.