Country's Largest Anti-War Coalition Calls on Congress to Stand Up to Bush

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/22021

Country's Largest Anti-War Coalition Calls on Congress to Stand Up to Bush
Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2007-05-01 20:57. Activism

http://www.unitedforpeace.org

United for Peace and Justice responded today to President Bush's veto of the $124 billion war funding bill by calling on Congress to bring the occupation of Iraq to a rapid end. "We challenge Congress to stand up to the President and to stand with the people of this country, our troops in Iraq and the Iraqis. Congress must respond to the President's veto by passing legislation that will provide funding only for an immediate and safe withdrawal of all U.S. troops and military contractors," said Leslie Cagan, UFPJ National Coordinator.

"The funding bill was a timid attempt by Congress to rein in a reckless President," UFPJ Legislative Coordinator Sue Udry commented. While setting a date for a troop withdrawal to begin, the bill fully funds the President's war request, including the troop escalation he demanded. In addition, the bill would allow the President to leave approximately 60,000 U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely.

"The President's veto highlights the necessity for a stronger bill, with a binding deadline. Through this action Bush has again made clear his stubborn determination to continue the war in the face of public opinion. Unless Congress enacts the strong curbs that are necessary, Americans and Iraqis will be held hostage to a failed policy" said Carolyn Eisenberg, Professor of American Foreign Policy at Hofstra University and co-chair of the UFPJ legislative working group.

Members of United for Peace and Justice see the blatant hypocrisy of the "support the troops" rhetoric employed by those who equate funding for war as funding for the troops. Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families for Peace, Iraq Vets Against the War and Veterans for Peace are all members of UFPJ because they believe the best way to support their loved ones is to oppose the war. "The President talks about 'funding for the troops,' but what he wants is funding to continue an unjustifiable war. To support our troops, Congress must de-fund this war," said Nancy Lessin, co-founder of Military Families Speak Out.

Members of UFPJ will hold local actions to protest the veto and call upon Congress to fund an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops. On May 15, UFPJ will launch a "Swarm on Congress" to establish a persistent peace presence on Capitol Hill that will last into the summer.

United for Peace and Justice is a coalition of over 1,400 local, regional and national groups working to end the war and occupation of Iraq. The coalition has member groups in every state, from Alaskans for Peace to the South Florida Peace and Justice Network, and has organized the largest demonstrations against the war.

[alstephenson]

1. Thanks, UFPJ!!!!

[EFerrari]

2. We're not going away. K&R