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Please share this as widely as possible!
Dear WRI,
Download and print out these posters and flyers to use at your local MLK Day events, or post them in your window to make a visible statement for peace.
Posters: Set 1 and Set 2
Flyer
Today the nation celebrates the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is much to celebrate about the work of this remarkable man, just as there is so much to learn from the example of his life.
On this day, United for Peace and Justice honors Martin Luther King by re-affirming our commitment to the work ahead, our commitment to doing all we can to end the horror of the U.S. war and occupation in Iraq.
A year ago at this time President Bush had announced his plans for a surge of U.S. military operations in Iraq. His escalation of the war was the exact opposite of what the overwhelming majority of the people of this country were calling for: End the war in Iraq!
Now we are told that the surge has worked. In fact, a closer look at what's happening in Iraq shows that the surge has not worked. Each day more Iraqis and U.S. servicepeople are killed. A massive humanitarian crisis has developed with more than 4 millions Iraqis (out of a population of 23 million people) displaced -- half as refugees in other countries and half displaced within Iraq. Basic social services like health care and education are not functioning; residents in Baghdad have electricity less than 1/2 the day; there is massive unemployment; and there is still no political resolution in sight.
In two months, on March 19th, the 6th year of the war and occupation in Iraq will begin. United for Peace and Justice has launched an ambitious program of activities and actions on and around March 19th. Our 5 Years Too Many efforts are part of a year-long campaign aimed at building so much pressure on Washington that policymakers (of whatever party) will finally be forced to bring the troops -- all of the troops -- home. Let us make this anniversary of the war in Iraq the last one! Please visit www.5yearstoomany.org for more information about these actions.
Today, on the holiday that celebrates the life of Martin Luther King, we renew our commitment to help build a movement that acts from the knowledge that our struggles are not separate and that our victories come when we are united. What the U.S. is doing in Iraq is not separate from the saber-rattling against Iran, the plans to build a new generation of nuclear weapons, or the ongoing support for the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. What the U.S. is doing in Iraq cannot be separated from what's happening right here at home: The people of the Gulf Coast have yet to see the money needed to rebuild their communities and their lives; our civil rights and civil liberties are relentlessly undermined; a home mortgage crisis threatens neighborhoods around the country; millions of people still have no health insurance; the list goes on.
As we move into the challenges of this year, we are inspired by the life and work of Dr. King. As he did so many times, we will put ourselves into the streets and we will use our bodies to creatively, nonviolently and passionately demand that peace prevail and justice triumph. We invite you to join us on this journey.
Peace,
Leslie Cagan
National Coordinator, UFPJ
Help us continue to do this critical work: Make a donation to UFPJ today.
UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
www.unitedforpeace.org | 212-868-5545
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