A Pivotal Moment (in the anti-war movement)

Please forward widely!

Dear Karen,

Today, Sept. 4th, Congress reconvenes after a month-long recess. As always, there
will be many important issues our representatives in Washington must take up in the
days and weeks ahead, but is there really anything more pressing than the urgent
need to take decisive action to end the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq? Almost 10
months ago, voters declared their widespread opposition to the war in the midterm
Congressional elections. But Congress has yet to take up the mandate they were sent
to Washington with.

This month will be pivotal in determining the future of the war in Iraq. Will
Congress use its power of the purse to force an end to the war and the withdrawal of
all U.S. troops and contractors, or will the Bush administration get the additional
$190+ billion it wants to continue this deadly and disastrous occupation into the
unforeseeable future?

Because of the importance of these next few months, many actions are being
organized. They take different forms, but all share the same goal: ending the war
and bringing all of the U.S. troops home now! We call your attention to three of
these efforts in particular, initiated and/or endorsed by United for Peace and
Justice. We believe these activities will help strengthen our movement and keep the
heat on Washington.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 7: NATIONAL CONGRESSIONAL CALL-IN!
Join the nationwide effort to flood the offices of your members of Congress with
calls demanding an end to the U.S. war in Iraq and no new war with Iran. Let's make
it clear: Congress must stand up to the Bush war machine! Call your representative
and both of your senators at 202-224-3121, and ask to be connected to their offices.
Tell them: I want you to act now to end the war and occupation of Iraq and to
prevent a war with Iran. The Congress has the constitutional right and a moral
responsibility to use the power of the purse to withdraw all U.S. soldiers and
contractors from Iraq on a rapid and binding schedule. Congress must act to prevent
a catastrophic war with Iran. On August 28, President Bush announced that he has
authorized U.S. forces in Iraq to confront Iran militarily -- please speak out
against and oppose this policy! (Click here to find out who represents you in
Congress: http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials/)

SEPT. 14-21: DECLARATION OF PEACE/DAYS OF DECISION - a week of nationwide
coordinated local actions
Declare Peace! by taking nonviolent action, including nonviolent civil disobedience
or other forms of creative, peaceful witness at congressional offices or other
relevant sites anytime from Friday, September 14, through Friday, September 21, the
International Day of Peace. Declaration of Peace organizers ask that your local
actions include at least these two components: (1) a public declaration such as an
exhibit, a presentation to a member of Congress or his or her staff, or an event
that includes a public signing of the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Iraq, and (2)
nonviolent actions to dramatically highlight the reality of the war, such as a
public die-in or other forms of creative, peaceful protest and action. To find out
more, visit: http://www.declarationofpeace.org

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21: IRAQ MORATORIUM
National in scope, the Iraq Moratorium is a campaign that takes place at the most
local level possible. The idea is simple: Antiwar forces are coming together in
their own areas to plan local activities that are easy for the largest numbers of
people to get involved in, especially people who have never done anything publicly
to oppose the war. On the 3rd Friday of every month, beginning on Sept. 21, these
activities will take place: People from all walks of life will break with their
daily routine to take some concrete step to demand an end to the war and the return
home of the troops. This can be as simple as wearing black ribbons and armbands in
mourning for all who have died in this senseless catastrophe. More information is
available at http://www.iraqmoratorium.org, and in Spanish at http://www.moratorioirak.org.

As you can see from all of these activities, pressure is mounting and it's not going
to stop once September is over. On October 27, 10 massive demonstrations initiated
by United for Peace and Justice will be held in cities around the country. This
national day of action to end the war will show that opposition to the war is
strong, growing and stepping up to take action nationwide. Visit http://www.oct27.org in
the coming days for more updates and information on how to get involved in the
demonstration in your region.

See below for a full calendar of actions in September, and check the UFPJ events
calendar for many other nationally coordinated, as well as regional and local,
actions. (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php) Please post any activity you
are planning or know about on the calendar so others can find it and join you.
(http://www.unitedforpeace.org/addevent)

ONE LAST NOTE -- PREVENTING THE NEXT WAR
Through it all, we need to keep up the pressure to prevent an attack on Iran. For
analysis, petitions, and other resources, click here:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3263

Yours, for peace and justice,

Leslie Cagan
National Coordinator, UFPJ

SEPTEMBER PEACE & JUSTICE EVENTS (* endorsed by UFPJ)

* Throughout Sept.: The Occupation Project
Acts of nonviolent civil disobedience and occupations of congressional offices
through at least the end of September.
http://vcnv.org/project/the-occupation-project

* Thursday, Sept. 7: National Congressional Call-In! (see details above)

* Sept. 8: The War and Rural America!
Farmers and veterans meet in New York City for a public forum.
http://www.farmsnotarms.org/

Sept. 8-16: No to Yet Another U.S. Military Base in Vicenza, Italy
A week of camping, actions, debates, and more.
http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza-camping.php

Sept. 11: March of the People Arrives in DC just in time for the White House's
expected sales pitch for extending the occupation. http://www.marchofthepeople.org

Sept. 12: "Tell the Truth" Events outside local media outlets.
http://www.democrats.com/node/14134

* Sept. 14-21: Declaration of Peace/Days of Decision --
http://www.declarationofpeace.org

Sept. 15: National March on Washington, D.C. -- http://www.sept15.org

Sept. 16: Lobby Training in Washington, D.C.
A full day of opportunities for networking and advocacy training.
http://www.grassrootsamerica4us.org/Congressional_Registration.html

* Sept. 17: National Truth in Recruiting Day
Iraq Veterans Against the War is launching a Truth in Recruiting campaign on Sept.
17. IVAW chapters around the country will be holding local events, but you don't
need an IVAW chapter in your area to participate. http://www.ivaw.org

Sept. 18: Congressional Challenge Day in Washington, D.C.
Visit your congressmember and senators with Grassroots America.
http://www.grassrootsamerica4us.org

* Sept. 20: Speak Truth to Power - A Day of Non-Violent Resistance in DC --
http://www.iraqpledge.org/

* Friday, Sept. 21: Iraq Moratorium -- http://www.iraqmoratorium.org and
http://www.moratorioirak.org

Sept. 22-29: Encampment in Front of Congress to Stop the War --
http://www.troopsoutnow.org/

Sept. 29: National March on Washington -- http://www.troopsoutnow.org/

Save the Date: Oct. 27!
10 Massive Demonstrations to End the War -- http://www.oct27.org

Click here to find more peace & justice events in your area:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php

============================================

Help us continue to do this critical work: Make a donation to UFPJ today --
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/donate

UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
http://www.unitedforpeace.org | 212-868-5545
To subscribe, visit http://www.unitedforpeace.org/email