Sacramento Coalition Continues Peace-In At Rep. Matsui's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Jan 29, 2007
Contact: Cres Vellucci, Sacramento Coalition to End the War, 916/996-9170


‘Peace-in' at Rep. Doris Matsui office begins
4th week with no end in sight; Lawmaker
fails to support troops, says Coalition

SACRAMENTO – The "peace-in" at the Federal Courthouse offices (501 I St.)
of Rep. Doris Matsui begins its fourth week Monday, with those
participating in the vigil hopeful that the lawmaker will reverse her
decision and decide to support the US troops in Iraq rather than leave them
in harm's way.

The 9-5 daily sit-in began January 8 – organized by a broad-based and
growing Sacramento Coalition to End the War – and is designed to convince
Rep. Matsui that she should join other members of Congress and refuse to
vote for any further funding for the war beyond the $70 billion already
approved for 2007.

Voters in the 5th Congressional District have responded to the "peace-in,"
and flooded Rep. Matsui's office with phone calls, faxes and personal
visits since early January. Numbers of people joining the sit-in have
steadily increased – so much so that the lawmaker's offices are often
overflowing with people.

Last week, Rep. Matsui relented and met via teleconference with those
opposed to the war. She also met privately for a few minutes with several
demonstrators in office. But the chats were disappointing.

"Rep. Matsui is not listening to us, and apparently still puts partisan
politics above the safety of our troops," said George Main, a spokesperson
for the Coalition and president of Veterans for Peace in Sacramento. "Rep.
Matsui talks about months and months of oversight hearings, and ‘political
considerations' when US troops are dying needlessly," he added.

"Rep. Matsui says she is opposed to the war, but she has not signed onto
any meaningful legislation to do that. Every minute, every hour, every day
Rep. Matsui, and others in Congress like her, play politics, US troops die,
and are maimed in this war. The political games must end. This war and
occupation must end," said Maggie Coulter of Peace Action.

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