Rep. Matsui begins to restrict access to office to media, constituents

NEWS ADVISORY:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Contact: Cres Vellucci, Sacramento Coalition to End the War, 916/996-9170

Rep. Doris Matsui continues to refuse to support
US troops in Iraq, begins to restrict news media,
constituent visitors on Day 7 of ‘Peace-In'

SACRAMENTO – Rep. Doris Matsui continues to refuse to support calls to
support US troops in Iraq by restricting funding beyond the $70 billion
budgeted – and she has begun to restrict access to her Federal Courthouse
office here to the news media, and public, in response to increasing
pressure on her to change her mind about the war.

The "Peace-In" is in Day 7 after starting last week, but – in stark
contract to escorting media into the Rep. Matsui offices just days ago –
the news media and supporters of the peace-in were forced outside in
sub-freezing weather at a Tuesday news conference when Rep. Matsui's office
was declared off-limits.

Rep. Matsui's office also informed courthouse security to refuse building
entry to television cameras, and courthouse guards – citing orders from
Rep. Matsui's office – began limiting visitors to her office.

The Sacramento Coalition to End the War, which includes dozens of veterans,
religious and community organizations, is requesting that Rep. Matsui agree
to vote against any further funding for the war above the $70 billion
already budgeted, which is more than enough to provide them armor and other
support in 2007.

The coalition released a transcript of a news interview Tuesday of Rep.
Matsui where she appears to mock those calling for a quick return of
troops, and where she suggests she does not – despite other public comments
– support an end to US presence in Iraq. The audio file disappeared from
the website after Rep. Matsui's staff complained about it.

"I am appalled Rep. Matsui would openly question the patriotism of the
veterans in our coalition, and to suggest that not voting for additional
funding for the war would imperil the safety of our troops is absurd and an
insult to the people in the 5th Congressional District who voted for her,"
said George Main, president of Sacramento Veterans for Peace.

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