Solidarity protest set in Berkeley for reporter who threw shoes at GW Bush

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008
Contact: Zanne Joi 404-561-1233 Becky Lyman 510-725-0495


BUSH FAREWELL KISS:
Shoes in Solidarity with Iraqi Journalist set Wednesday;
CodePINK calls for his release and tribute to Iraqis
who have severely suffered under US occupation

WHAT: CodePINK anti-war activists and allies to march holding shoes in the air
around Marine Recruiting Station in solidarity with Iraqi journalist and all
civil disobedience against war and torture

WHEN: 8 a.m., Weds. Dec. 17

WHERE: MRS/Marine Recruiting Station, 64 Shattuck Square, Berkeley

BERKELEY - In solidarity with an Iraqi journalist, Muntader al Zaidi – who threw
his shoes at George W. Bush during a Baghdad press conference Sunday – CodePINK
activists and allies will gather outside the Marine Recruiting Station (MRS)
holding shoes in the air and lining them up around the station Wednesday.

In addition to representing support for al Zaidi’s act of civil disobedience,
the shoes will embody the Iraqi people who have been killed, tortured, maimed
and U.S. soldiers who’ve died since the Bush Administration's illegal invasion
of Iraq, said CodePINK.

Showing the soul of shoes to someone is a symbol of extreme disrespect in Arab
countries; throwing shoes is an even stronger statement. As he hurled his shoes
at Bush, al Zaidi shouted “This is your farewell kiss, you dog." He is currently
being held, questioned, and tortured in jail.

Activists are calling on the Iraqi government to release al Zaidi immediately
without charges and have set up a fund to support him and his family. They are
also demanding Bush intervene for al Zaidi’s immediate release.

"It's outrageous that al-Zaidi could get two years in prison for insulting
George Bush, when Bush is directly responsible for the deaths of 1.5 million
Iraqis and 4,200 U.S. troops, and 5 million displaced Iraqis," said Medea
Benjamin of CODEPINK. "The one who should be in jail is George Bush, and he
should be charged with war crimes."

"Al-Zaidi's act of civil disobedience expresses the disgust that so many Iraqis
and Americans feel towards a man who has caused so much pain and suffering,"
added Anas Shallal of Iraqi Voices for Peace. "It is indeed a fitting tribute to
the end of the Bush reign of terror."

CodePINK activists will bestow the “Farewell Kiss” on Bush, for Recruiting our
Youth, and for Invading Afghanistan as well.

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