[NYTr] Anti-War Activists in Washington to "Whip Congress into Shape"

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by David Swanson - Sep 4, 2007


For Immediate Release: September 4, 2007       
Contact: Medea Benjamin 415-235-6517, Dana Balicki 202-422-8624 


Anti-war Activists Descend on Washington to Whip Congress into Shape!

Demand that Congress Fall in Line Behind the People 
and End the Occupation 

Peace activists from around the country spent their Labor Day weekend
traveling to DC to "welcome back" Congress this week. With a Bush
Administration request for even more war money looming in the coming
weeks and Congressional approval at an all-time low, the peace majority
in this country is looking to WHIP CONGRESS INTO SHAPE. 

This week will be choc full of creative, visual exhibitions aimed at
"whipping" the Democratic leadership to stand up to Bush, all with the
clear message of "No More Excuses: Lead us out of Iraq now!"  CODEPINK
will also be releasing a new flash video called Whipping Congress into
Shape, where CODEPINK jockeys ride Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to
the "End the Occupation" finish line. 

WHO: CODEPINK Women for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, United
for Peace and Justice, and Washington Peace Center.

WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, September 5th
9:00am- CODEPINK HOUSE Press Conference
712 5th St NE, Washington, DC
9:45am - March to Congress
10:30am - Press Conference at Independence & New Jersey Avenues (grassy
area, NE corner) where members of CODEPINK and others will announce
plans for the "No More Excuses" campaign. 

"The people are angry and want Congress to stand up to George Bush.
We're here to herd them in the right direction: Set a fixed timeline
for withdrawal or stipulate that funds only be used for the safe and
speedy withdrawal of our troops," says CODEPINK cofounder Medea
Benjamin. 

CODEPINK women and men from around the country will continue their
political pilgrimage to Congressional hearings, member offices and
hallways to demand an end to the illegal US military occupation of
Iraq. CODEPINK activists will be on Capitol Hill to hold elected
officials accountable for not representing the will of the majority of
Americans. CODEPINK now rents a 5 bedroom house blocks from the Capitol
and will continue its presence in Congress until the Congress leads the
US out of Iraq. 

SHEEP ON THE HILL: 

10:30 Press Conference will be followed by a creative action involving
sheep and created by the Backbone Campaign:
http://www.backbonecampaign.org 

The Backbone Campaign will be on the Hill on Wednesday delivering
Spineless Citations to 31 Democrats who voted in August in favor of the
Protect America [and eliminate the Fourth Amendment] Act.

Contact: Bill Moyer: 206-356-9980