[IMC-DC] ongoing: A Woman's Vigil and Fast for Peace: Sunday, Nov. 17th

[Dcparisa at aol.com]

Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 11:45:30 -0500
From: jencarr3 at cs.com
Subject: A Woman's Vigil and Fast for Peace: Sunday, Nov. 17th


(check out http://codepink4peace.org/)



Unreasonable Women for the Earth and Codepink4PEACE

A Woman's Vigil and Fast for Peace


Sunday, November 17th, Lafayette Park (across from the White House)
This is a call to join us as we stand witness to the decision of our
current government. If our government goes to war it will be in our gaze,
eyes open, concerns expressed We are outraged by the Bush Administration's
oil agenda to initiate a war that will kill thousands of innocent Iraqis,
needlessly risk the lives of US service people, increase anti-American
sentiment around the world, and rob us of the financial resources we
should be devoting to life-giving programs such as education and health
care.

This vigil invites all to participate in myriad creative collaborative
ways to address the life and death issues within America that are being
ignored because of the current administration's unimaginative obsession
with war. The real threats to this country lie in deteriorating public
education, medical care, millions uninsured, hungry families,
unemployment, violence among our children, collapse of infrastructure,
poisoning of water, air and food.

Gathering in unity, women and men from all around our country and the
world will create a caring, compassionate, celebratory, and respectful
community that will urge our government and the world to seek a
non-violent resolution of this current conflict.

On Sunday, November 17th CodePink will begin a 40-day vigil for peace in
Washington DC. Every few days during the vigil we will focus on different
issues, such as civilian casualties, violence in our society, the
environmental consequences of war, and the need for international
cooperation. Groups or organizations dedicated to these particular issues
will take responsibility by creating actions and contributing content to
our daily diaries in AlterNet, UTNE, and GNN.

". . .We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our
limited vision,  but we must speak. For we are deeply in need of a new way
beyond the darkness that seems so close around us. . ." Martin Luther
King, Jr.


How you can join us . . .

Diane Wilson will begin the fast on November 17th. She asks others to join
her in Washington or in solidarity around the country for the next forty
days. Friends in India have already offered to join her because of her
help during their hunger strike against Dow Chemical earlier this year.
You can keep her company or join the fast. Register here.

If you belong to an organization (school, religious groups, union, NGO,
etc.), we encourage you to be part of this theatre for peace by bringing
others who wish to either fast or support for whatever time you choose.
Email us to reserve your day(s). Schedule at codepink4peace.org

Hold a vigil in your community; gather once or on a scheduled basis to
witness, to share stories, and to openly display your concern to your
community. Let us know on the website so others can connect with you.

Sign up to volunteer or contribute to support the logistics of the effort.
help at codepink4peace.org

Join as a sponsor; lend your name and the encouragement of your
organization. sponsor at codepink4peace.org

We will be building altars in the park for the children and we invite you
to bring and send objects, poems, etc. for the altars.

Endorsers (partial list, organizations for identification only):
Medea Benjamin, Founding Director, Global Exchange
Andrea Buffa, United for Peace
Leslie Cagan, Pacifica Radio Interim National Board
Jodie Evans, Bad Babes and Code Pink for Peace
Marilyn Fowler, President/CEO, Women's Intercultural Network
Linda Fuller, Co-Founder, Habitat for Humanity
Jennifer Harbury, author and human rights attorney
Mariam Karimabodi, People in Black
Lauren Klein, International Rivers Network
Kristi Laughlin, Interfaith Women for Peace
NOW
Rachel's Network
Renee Saucedo, Centro Legal de la Raza
Starhawk, author
Nina Utne, Chair, Utne Magazine
Judy Wicks, Social Venture Network
Diane Wilson, Unreasonable Women
Peg Yorkin