Bay Area folks on way to Iraq as human shields!

Three Bay Area folks are currently on their way to Baghdad as part of the TJP Human Shield Action.

photos available here:
http://www.greenjon.com/shield/index.html

also see http://www.humanshields.org for more info.

press release below:

HUMAN SHIELDS PREPARE FOR FLIGHT TO BAGHDAD


TJP HUMAN SHIELD ACTION


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ; 11/2/03

On 17th February up to fifty human shield volunteers will board a plane and fly to Amman, Jordan. From there they will cross the Jordanian boarder and travel by bus to Baghdad where they meet up with the convoy of human shield volunteers who left London on 25th January. Hundreds more are expected to join them from around the world over the coming weeks.

The Human Shield Flight to Baghdad is the latest phase of a strategy that aims to deploy large numbers of Western peace activists in Iraq in an attempt to forestall the rush to war. The initial convoy, now two double-decker buses, a taxi and several other vehicles, is currently driving overland to Iraq, its number swelling. The first of these vehicles are expected to arrive in Baghdad on 12th February.

"Since the convoy's departure, we have been flooded with support. We have had over 50,000 hits on our website and received more than five hundred submissions from people wanting to be human shields"; a spokesperson, Stefan Simanowitz, said today.

Another flight will leave from London on 21st February, and further flights are planned. People around the world are being encouraged to organise their own flights to Amman where an office is being set up and transport organised to ensure that there is a steady flow of human shields joining the group in Baghdad.

"In response to our action, Human Shield groups are sprouting up around the world; in Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Australia, America";,said Simanowitz. "We are linking with these other human shield organisations. This has quickly become a truly global initiative."

The human shield volunteers leaving on the 17th are predominantly European, aged between twenty and seventy-six. Many intend to stay in Iraq until the imminent threat of war has passed. In the event of all-out war, they may deploy to strategic humanitarian sites, putting themselves in harm's way, in order to try and protect the ordinary people of Iraq.

"None of us are going to Iraq for the fun of it. We're going because we feel we cannot sit by while a criminal war is waged in our name" human shield volunteer Uzma Bashir said. "I don'want to die. I love life. But every life is precious, and we need to recognise that a war that will kill innocent Iraqis must be opposed with all our hearts. I am going to Iraq to try to stop this war, and so to preserve life"


Press Conference , 13th February, 2.30pm, Atlee Suite, Portcullis House, Westminster Speakers to include Tony Benn.

Delegation to Downing Street – 13th February, 4pm.

Farewell Party – for friends, family and the media. 16th February. Venue and time TBC.

Press Office :07732 728859
Carly Roberts - 07817 628282
Richard Scrase :07787 794250
Stefan Simanowitz - 07799 650791