Peace groups in the Fresno area are targeting Democratic congressman Jim Costa this month. They want Costa to change his position on the war/occupation of Iraq and vote to cut off funding.

A September 7 email sent out by Peace Fresno president Bill Simon, stated that the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), MoveOn.org, Codepink, and Peace Fresno will be working together to "pressure Democratic Representative Jim Costa to vote NO on the September bill to continue funding the occupation of Iraq." Simon wrote that "each group will take one day a week to picket in front of Costa's office and perhaps to go into the office to say 'No more funding'. We will also encourage passers by to call their Congressman and Senators."

Jean Hays, the chairperson of WILPF, said the demonstrations will start on September 11 at 12 Noon on the sidewalk outside Rep. Costa's office, 855 M Street, across from the Convention Center Exhibit Hall. Hays wrote that "at some point we may want to go sit in his office just to remind him of our wishes." Hays continues "in the next few days, Congress will once again vote to either CEASE funding the occupation of Iraq or to INCREASE funding. We must NOT allow them to repeat their betrayal of the American people, our soldiers, Iraq people, and the people of the world by voting to continue funding this illegal, immoral occupation of Iraq. Some say Congress is not listening to us; we say maybe WE ARE NOT TALKING LOUD ENOUGH!!"

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