Die-In Outside the White House
Today marked the 2,000th death of US military personnel in Iraq,
along with the more than 100,000 Iraqis who have been killed by the US
war and occupation. AFSC, Gold Star Families for Peace, Iraq Veterans
Against the War, and Military Families Speak Out are holding vigils and
public actions all across the country. Find one in your area at http://www.afsc.org/2000/default.php. World CanÃt Wait is calling on people to join these actions, and build for Nov. 2nd.
Today, about fifteen people including Cindy Sheehan, Ann Wright, and
people at the World Can’t Wait encampment did a die-in in front of the
White House dramatizing the 2000 soldiers who have died. For every one US
soldier who dies approximately 50 Iraqi civilians die.
New Endorsements
Esther Kaplan, author of “With God on Their Side”
David Harris, author, founder of “Resistance”
Haitian Coalition for Justice
Ralph Fertig, President, Humanitarian Law Project
Simin Levy, Producer/Director of “What I Heart about Iraq”, Fountain Theater
Campus Anti(War Network(CAN)
Steve Earle, Musician
2 New Statements
(A call to poets, authors, and academics:
http://speakingoutondrivebush.blogspot.com/2005/10/open-call-to-poets-authors-and.html
(A letter from a World Can’t Wait organizer to a friend urging them to take up Nov. 2nd. http://wcwhookup.blogspot.com/2005/10/letter-to-friend-about-nov-2nd.html
A Call to Iraq and Vietnam War Veterans and Their Families
The following is excerpts from a call from the Encampment outside
the White House:
“We are calling on Iraq and Vietnam era vets, joined by families of
GIs opposed to the war and others, to gather at the encampment on
October 29th at 2 p.m. to make a very powerful statement to the people
of the US and the World and serving notice right at the steps of the
White House that a movement is being launched that will not stop till
this criminal regime is driven from office.
Millions of people are deeply disturbed and outraged by the war and
the overall fascist way this society is being remade before our eyes.
The regime cynically and calculatingly raises “support the troops” to
smash any resistance and as a rallying cry for their reactionary
endeavors. In such a climate, imagine the potential impact of the
veterans of this war and others who have been on the front lines and
have experienced these outrages deeply and first hand bravely stepping
forward and exclaiming “no more!” right at the steps of the White
House. Think of the impact this could have on the hearts and minds of
people from every walk of life across the country, including the many
millions of high school students eyed as new cannon fodder by the
military. Think of the voice this would give to the many returning
veterans shell shocked and speechless at the death and destruction they
witnessed including more than 100,000 Iraqi war dead. The growing
movement of Iraqi veterans, Goldstar and other GI family members and
the GI resistance itself has begun to have a far reaching effect, and
this movement must grow. This gathering at the White House on October
29th could contribute greatly to this and would also have real impact
on drawing forward the most powerful beginning possible on November 2
to the movement to drive out the Bush Regime.”
Contact encampment@worldcantwait.org to be part of this, and check our website for new info.